The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics. Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain.
LeBron James and Stephen Curry. Trae Young and his barber.
These are the rivalries that have defined the NBA's rich tapestry.
Now, could we be witnessing the emergence of another intriguing matchup: Deandre Ayton versus Clint Capela? The jury's still out on that one.
Recently, Ayton expressed some frustration about his role with the Lakers, commenting, “They're trying to make me Clint Capela.”
After the Lakers' narrow 113-110 loss to the Phoenix Suns, Capela seized the moment to respond in style. “You got two of the best floor generals in the game, my dawg. Lock in,” he posted on Instagram, complete with laughing emojis.
Capela, now in his second stint with the Rockets at age 31, has embraced his role, referencing the playmaking prowess of Luka Doncic and LeBron James.
Against the Suns, Ayton had a tough night, posting just two points and four rebounds in 23 minutes. His journey with the Lakers has been a rollercoaster, featuring moments of brilliance and stretches where his performance has left fans scratching their heads.
Clint Capela calls out Deandre Ayton on IG 😬
— LakersMuse (@LALMuse) February 27, 2026
“U got 2 of the best floor general in the game my dawg Lockinnn 🤣🤣” pic.twitter.com/fn2q1qGwV2
Concerns about Ayton's competitiveness and consistency have been a recurring theme, and the Lakers are feeling it this season. Ayton is currently averaging 13.0 points and 8.0 rebounds.
The Lakers have some soul-searching to do regarding Ayton's role. But perhaps the most pressing question is: Will Ayton respond to Capela's playful jab?