Daily Knicks
Fansided

New York Knicks: Five Reasons The Triangle Offense Still Works

By Maxwell Ogden

Jan 28, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson watches a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 28, 2015; New York, NY, USA; New York Knicks president Phil Jackson watches a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next
Jan 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) reacts to a foul call against the Washington Wizards during the second half at the United Center. The Wizards defeat the Bulls 114-100. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah (13) reacts to a foul call against the Washington Wizards during the second half at the United Center. The Wizards defeat the Bulls 114-100. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Maintaining Morale

The triangle offense relies upon having players who can create their own offense—you know, like every other system ever created. The foundation for the system, however, is ball movement and off-ball motion that enables all five players to be involved on offense.

Though this doesn’t show up in advanced metrics, it’s the reality of the human mind: many players want offensive recognition for their defensive efforts.

That doesn’t necessarily mean that defensive players need to be given 10 shots per game on the other end. It’s not about giving a defensive-minded players a shot attempt or a chance to facilitate.

The triangle offense is all about getting those players involved in the offense to maintain a high level of energy and involvement, avoid sluggishness, and keep morale high.

Said players may not score, but in the triangle offense, every player on the floor has a role to fill. Whether they’re setting a screen, making an entry pass, moving as a decoy, or finishing the play, all five players are required to do something when the system is in motion.

Any offense can merely give their best players the ball and say, “Go,” but the best teams find ways to get all five guys involved on both ends of the floor.

Home/Knicks News