New York Knicks: Shaquille O’Neal Defends The Triangle Offense
The New York Knicks have struggled to run the triangle offense. Former NBA MVP Shaquille O’Neal believes that the system can work if the star buys in.
No two words incite as much frustration and visceral outrage in New York Knicks fans than, “Triangle offense.” The system has been targeted as the primary reason for the Knicks’ issues since Phil Jackson was hired as team president.
Though the system may be viewed in a negative light, one of its most notorious featured stars, Shaquille O’Neal, is defending the triangle offense.
O’Neal played for Jackson as a member of the Los Angeles Lakers from 1999 to 2004. During that time, he won three of his four NBA championships, his only NBA MVP award, and made five of his eight All-NBA First Team appearances—and he did so in the triangle offense.
According to Ian Begley of ESPN New York, O’Neal defended the polarizing system, but also acknowledged why it is that players reject it.
"“When you’re a player, you’re used to doing something one way, and you bring in a system, a lot of guys don’t like to give up their habits. But the triangle, the ball can’t stop. It can’t stop.”"
It’s as simple as that: the ball can’t stop if the triangle offense is going to flourish.
The primary principles of the triangle offense are those of a successful offensive system. The keys to execution include creating penetration, ball and player movement, spacing the floor, and balancing offensive rebounding with responsible transition defense.
Taking the words, “Triangle offense,” out and simply looking at the principles, one could compare that system to virtually every flourishing strategy in the NBA.
Unfortunately, the triangle offense has been accused of being dated and undesirable for the players and coaches who are being asked to run it.
As O’Neal alluded to, players don’t like the idea of changing the way they play the game—no matter what system they’re being asked to do it for. Whether it’s a fear of declining statistics or a discomfort with a new role, it’s a polarizing proposition.
O’Neal acknowledged that it’s a difficult system to adjust to, but cited personal experience and pointed the finger at a surprising individual for the early issues: himself.
"“Guys are stubborn — it took us a while to break it, too,” O’Neal said. “When we first started, we were doing terrible. I had to look at the mirror and say, ‘OK, I was probably one of the main problems.’ Because I like to get the ball and tell everyone to move out of the way and get to work, so I had to look at the mirror and say, ‘Let me try it.’ It became easier. I get it. [Guys] cutting, and it opened up for me and made it easier for me.”"
In other words: when the star buys into the system, it tends to work as well as it possibly can.
It’s entirely possible that the triangle offense truly is dated and simply will not work in the modern NBA. It’s also feasible that the Knicks’ reluctance to fully buy into the system has led to the inability to execute it at the highest possible level.
It’s worth noting that Kurt Rambis criticized Derek Fisher for giving up on teaching his players the triangle offense during the 2015-16 season.
It’s also worth noting that Kristaps Porzingis, who publicly stated that he likes playing in the triangle offense, explicitly noted that the system will only work if the players buy in.
Porzingis’ comments could be harmless, but they could also confirm what’s been stated in the past: New York hasn’t fully bought into the system.
If that proves true, it wouldn’t clear the system of doubt, nor skepticism. It would, however, provide some credibility to O’Neal’s statement and warrant the question of how well the triangle offense could work with a committed team.
In support of his argument, O’Neal cited the success that the Knicks’ second unit has experienced with the triangle offense.
"“If you look at how the [Knicks’] second team runs the triangle, guys who don’t have a lot of experience in the game and a lot of habits, they ran a lot of it late in the fourth quarter and got a couple of backdoor plays.”"
That’s a fair and intriguing point made by the four-time NBA champion.
The second unit has run the triangle offense far more often than the starting lineup has in 2016-17. The second unit has also garnered praise from Knicks fans and analysts alike, while the starting lineup has been routinely picked apart and scrutinized.
Based on that information alone, it’s fair to conclude that the triangle offense could work if a higher level of talent were to buy in.
In terms of those who are guaranteed to return in 2017-18, the onus now rests on Carmelo Anthony, Courtney Lee, Willy Hernangomez, Joakim Noah, and Kristaps Porzingis. The system may not be ideal, but buying in is the only way to make the most of an undesirable situation.
That may not be fair to the players, but it’s the hand that’s been dealt.
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One can only hope that the disarray will end sooner than later with the New York Knicks.