Early in the Houston Rockets' Western Conference Quarterfinals series against the Los Angeles Lakers there seemed to be a clear gap between the two teams, in favor of the Lakers. Even without Austin Reaves and Luka Doncic for the Lakers.

The Rockets were losing the coaching battle in a major way. Lakers coach JJ Redick was running laps around Ime Udoka -- the Rockets' coach over the last three years. The two opposing coaching styles always seemed to have given Redick an edge, heading into the series.

Udoka is more of a motivational coach, whereas Redick is a tactical coach. As it pertains to X's and O's and/or adjustments, Redick is in an entirely different galaxy than Udoka.

That was especially evident through the first three games of the series, thus the Rockets trailed 0-3.…