Rockets' Nene Hilario: Expects to compete for starter's role

Hilario will compete with Clint Capela for the Rockets' starting center position, Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle reports.

Analysis:

Coming into training camp, it appeared to be a foregone conclusion that third-year center Clint Capela would take on a starter's role with Dwight Howard now in Atlanta. However, Hilario has apparently started camp in impressive fashion and will have an opportunity to fight for a spot on the top unit. Whether he's in the starting lineup or not, the 34-year-old Hilario still probably won't be in line for extended minutes throughout the season, so Capela would have a significant role off the bench if that were the case. We should get a clearer indication of who has the leg up in the competition once preseason games begin.