Rockets must meet “Force with Force” this season if they want to be successful
Brian Barefield | 10/13/2021, 2:53 a.m.
Photo Credit/Houston Rockets
If you have watched the NBA over a long period, you have noticed that it is considered a “Copycat league.”
The Houston Rockets are learning that the hard way this preseason. For the second game in a row, their opponent has taken the physical approach with their younger players resulting in missed opportunities and turnovers.
On Monday, the Toronto Raptors used the blueprint given to them by the Miami Heat on Thursday in a 107-92 victory over the Rockets. Toronto came out in the first quarter and bullied the Rockets into seven first-quarter turnovers that eventually led to a total of 30 on the night.
Raptors players such as OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa used their bigger bodies and strength to prevent players like rookie guard Jalen Green and second-year player Kevin Porter Jr. from getting to their normal spots.
“Meet force with force,” said Rockets head coach Stephen Silas when asked what his team could do to help combat the physical play used against his players. “One thing I talked about prior to the game with the group was the physicality and teams are going to be going at us. It is up to us to stand up to it and not back down.”
Porter, who was ineffective against Toronto shooting 3-for-11 from the field on Monday night, echoed coach Silas’s statements after the game when asked about the tactics used by stronger players against them.
“Punch them back,” said Porter. “Someone tries to play you physical you match their physicality. That is how we are going to have to play. A lot of teams see us as weak because we are young, so we have to be more aggressive and more physical.”
