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Deandre Ayton #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the first half of their game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Crypto.com Arena on February 20, 2026 in Los Angeles, California.
Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki is not amused by Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton’s undermining of Clint Capela’s career.
Ayton was infamously heard ranting after a Lakers loss last week, saying, “They’re trying to make me Clint Capela. I’m not no Clint Capela.” The comments were interpreted as the former No. 1 overall pick suggesting he had more to offer than being a rim-running big man like Capela, a role the Lakers coaching staff has assigned him.
Dirk Nowitzki Calls Out Ayton
Addressing Ayton’s comments on “NBA on Prime,” Nowitzki felt the Lakers big man was out of line trying to undermine Capela, a solid NBA vet who has recorded over 8,000 points, 7,000 rebounds and nearly 1,000 blocks in his 12-year career
“I don’t love the quote, obviously, from Ayton, for saying they’re trying to make me something I’m not, they wanna make me this roller or whatever,” Nowitzki said.
“You don’t have to name another NBA player that’s actually having a really solid career. Clint’s been around forever. He’s a super good player.”
When Ayton’s locker-room comments, overheard by a few media members, went viral, Capela had an interesting response on social media.
“U got 2 of the best floor general in the game my dawg Lockinnn,” Capela wrote in a message directed to Ayton, while referencing LeBron James and Luka Doncic.
Deandre Ayton Faces Criticism
Subsequently, retired players like Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Austin Reaves also called out Ayton for his slight of Capela.
“Kenny [Smith] talks about this all the time—if you play hard, you can get things done. He is not Clint Capela because Clint Capela plays hard, every game,” O’Neal said. “Clint Capela is a role player. Deandre Ayton is a role player. You’re not going to be on the same team as LeBron and Luka and thinking you’re gonna get shots.
“However, though, all these plays right here, they are for you. If you just do your job, pick and rebound and run the court, you can get easy buckets. I wish my career was this easy.”
Barkley declared that Capela was a better NBA pro than Ayton.
“He insulted Clint Capela. Clint Capela’s had a better career than him,” Barkley said of Ayton. “That’s the first thing. Clint Capela had a run [with the Houston Rockets]. This guy has been in two of the best situations in sports.”
Further to Barkley’s point, Capela led the NBA in rebounding in 2020-21 (14.3) and had six other seasons averaging at least a double-double.
Rivers suggested Ayton was delusional to think he’s more than a role player.
“What happens to players when they don’t have the ability in the moment to understand who they are, what’s being asked of them, and how to star in their role? It cuts careers short, and it prevents careers from ever happening,” Rivers said of Ayton.
Sai Mohan covers the NBA for Heavy.com. Based in Portugal, Sai is a seasoned sports writer with nearly two decades of publishing experience, including bylines at Yardbarker, FanSided’s Hoops Habit, International Business Times, Hindustan Times and more. More about Sai Mohan
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