Rockets face crucial Ime Udoka question after poor playoff start

The Rockets have dropped their first two games of the playoffs and their coaching has stood out as a weakness. Ime Udoka hasn't been able to put his players in position to succeed, even with the return of Kevin Durant. The Rockets have looked lackluster on both ends of the ball and failed to make the necessary adjustments to compete with the Lakers, which puts Udoka's future with the franchise in jeopardy.

Ime Udoka has disappointed so far in the playoffs

If the Rockets aren't able to find some solutions and put up a better fight, Udoka could be on his way out of Houston. The team has struggled throughout the season and their woes have followed them into the postseason. Even when Udoka finds solutions in the regular season, they can't translate to the playoffs against the best teams.

Of course, offensive struggles have been a focal point considering the Rockets' roster makeup and clear weaknesses. They were putrid on that end in Game 1 and hoped that Durant's return could fix their problems. But Durant isn't an all-encompassing offensive force that can uplift an entire team if he's not utilized correctly.

Durant can struggle when he's pressured and forced to make plays for others. This has been a well-known weakness of his for years, and yet the Rockets' coaching staff put him in positions where that weakness could be exploited. Houston's lack of coaching creativity has allowed the Lakers to attack their weak points ruthlessly to start this series.

But arguably an even bigger coaching concern is the Rockets' poor defense through two games. They've let the Lakers get whatever they want and failed to adapt their coverages as the games have gone along. The players are still trying their hardest, but it's clear the coaching isn't keeping up with LA's staff.

Udoka could be on the hot seat

If this trend continues and the Rockets lose the series in embarassing fashion, coaching will be one of the first places they look to improve. Udoka has seemingly worn out his welcome after helping the Rockets rebuild from being a bottom-feeder. He instilled the system to bring winning back to Houston, but he doesn't seem like the man to lead them to success at the next level.

The Rockets are at a crossroads considering the age of their roster and their lack of draft capital. They've built their team to compete for a title now and need a coach who can help acheive that ambition. If Udoka continues to prove he's not fit for that task, he will soon be replaced.

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