If you have watched the NBA over a long period, you have noticed that it is considered a “copycat league.”
The Rockets are learning that the hard way this preseason. For the second game in a row, their opponent took the physical approach with Houston’s 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, eventually leading to a total of 28 on the night.
Raptors such as OG Anunoby and Precious Achiuwa used their bigger bodies and strength to prevent players like rookie guard Jalen Green and third-year guard 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.”
“Meet force with force,” said Rockets head coach Stephen Silas when I asked him about the physical play against his team. #Rockets #LightTheFuse #Sarge pic.twitter.com/oyhWXdIReC
— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) October 12, 2021
Porter, who was largely ineffective versus Toronto while shooting 3-for-11 from the field, echoed Silas’s statements when asked postgame about the tactics used by stronger players against the Rockets.
“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.”
Houston will take on the Spurs in the final preseason game on Friday. Tipoff from San Antonio is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Central.
Switch sides if you want, You’ll regret it, I’ll make sure of it. 🃏
— Scoot (@Kevinporterjr) October 12, 2021
“A lot of teams see us as weak because we are young,” Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. said about teams being physical with them this season. #Rockets #LightTheFuse #Sarge pic.twitter.com/BvMLWXoUGz
— BIG SARGE MEDIA LLC (@BigSargeSportz) October 12, 2021
