On the Rockets and innovation in a counterinsurgent response

Keys to the offensive campaign

The Rockets were toward the bottom of the league in defense at the rim and defensive rebounding with Clint Capela averaging almost 14 rebounds and two blocks a game. They decided their offensive conquests would be enough to make up for any defensive liabilities without him, but Houston plays a little Trojan Horse-like in this regard. While shorter, the Rockets defenders are not that much smaller and play with physicality that is usually permitted by shorter defenders.

Many times, the shorter player will be able to get two hands in the back of the offensive player in the post and it seems to be more permissible to rake down on the ball when this is usually called a foul on the perimeter. Unlike the days of Caesar, it is up to coaches to use a tactic of modern warfare, propaganda, to repeatedly point out that despite the height differences, their players are being fouled by “smaller” Rocket defenders in the post. There should be a league-wide memorandum about this when teams are dealing with referees and media before, during and after games.

That being said, Rockets opponents need to be as dedicated to an offensive strategy as the Roman legions were during their month-long siege. Since Houston wants to switch ball screens, you have to isolate your most talented interior players on Harden and Westbrook consistently. The Rockets are doing a great job forcing turnovers and pressuring the ball to deny entry passes, but opposing offenses need to channel the resolve of Caesar and not let the upstarts dictate the action. The rim would be open for lobs off the pick-and-roll, but a better strategy could be to make them both play serious and elongated post defense.

Right now they would see the Lakers in the second round of the NBA Playoffs if the seedings hold. Imagine Russ and James having to guard Anthony Davis and LeBron James running pick-and-roll or going isolation sets and being backed down and buried time and time again. You almost want to kick it back out and repost just to make them work harder. This strategy increases the likelihood of fouls and foul trouble, as well as tires them out, which pays dividends as the game wears on, weakening their forward attacks when they need them most.

It also limits the Rockets’ possessions, puts pressure on a limited rotation and takes them out of their preferred style of playing. It could force them to double-team as well, which leaves open shooters on the kick-outs and gets your offense into the bonus. Players like Nikola Jokic and Paul Millsap of the Denver Nuggets and Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz could also lay continuous assault to the Russ and Harden positions.

Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingas also remain a formidable threat on the Western front and opposing offenses would be wise to use the sustained, methodical and punishing attack that Caesar employed to submit his besieged opponent. He exploited his enemies’ weaknesses with unwavering precision and practiced his offensive assaults without mercy in a display that lacked technicality but proved effective. It’s on the defensive end that Caesar proved his leadership mettle and held the enemy at bay to eventually win the battle.