Ben DuBose

Stephen is not coming back.

So,

Is this the time that, you know, you're midway through the year, you have, what, two and a half months until the playoffs, that you just rip the Band-Aid off and don't make Clint Capella the part-time backup center?

Make him the backup center in each half.

Give him 15-plus minutes per game because athletically, he looks the part.

He looks really good.

He was a huge part of their success tonight.

They haven't really struck him in these big games to this point.

Maybe it's time they do.

And also, if Shingun has an off night, or if, God forbid, he needs another week or two off to rest that ankle, you need another legit body at center.

Like, if Shingun needs to shut it down for a while, and I'm not saying that's the case now, but...

when you see him having repeated issues with the same ankle, you do have to worry about that.

I don't think we're anywhere near a point in which you want to make Jabari Smith a full-time five.

Like, I do not think that would go well right now, especially with the other elements of his game all suffering in recent weeks.

So just...

As far as a hedge for Shingun, if he's having a bad night or if he gets hurt again, then I think there's a lot of value in having Clint, you know, if you need him ready to play 25, 30 minutes.

I'm not saying that they should play him 25, 30 minutes on Saturday night against Dallas.

But, you know, if you want to potentially have him available for that down the road, then maybe you need to start consistently playing him for 15 to 20.

Yeah, Akogi, Capella, Jayshon Tate all played 18-plus minutes.

We talk about wanting to see the Rockets take the games more professionally and have the defensive effort more consistent.