The Definitive Triangle Offense Resources List

When I first started this blog, my hope was that anyone who wondered how the triangle worked could come to this blog and find a simple explanation.  There was a slight problem though, I had no idea where to begin!  Should I start with the two passes, the reads of the offense, or its philosophies and principles?  I tried to broadly describe the offense, but the explanations were empty (see: AmMo Moments).  Despite my best efforts,  I couldn't accurately write about the triangle without the use of its intimidating terminology.  After clumsily writing about the line of deployment and the moment of truth I took an abrupt hiatus to rethink my approach.

Goodbye Triangle, hello Hall of Fame

  In the summer of 1990, the Chicago Bulls had been dismissed from the playoffs by Detroit’s Bad Boy Pistons for the third consecutive time.  Things looked particularly bleak for the Bulls in the point guard match up that pitted the slow footed, sound shooting John Paxson against the lighting quick, smiling blur of Isiah Thomas.  Phil Jackson, second year head coach of the Bulls, had a solution in mind.  He wanted to lighten Paxson’s load by implementing a system offense that didn’t require a dominant ball handler.  Fortunately for the Bulls, they happened to have an architect for just this kind of offense on hand.

    In the fall of 1990, Tex Winter was keeping a watchful eye over drills during the Bulls training camp.  Eventually his eyes landed on one Michael Jeffrey Jordan holding a basketball.  The “SPEC-TA-CU-LAR” Jordan could get to any spot on the floor, get a shot off from inconceivable angles, could leap out of Chicago Stadium in a single bound, and that season would go on to win his second MVP and first NBA championship.  But as Winter watched the ball leave Jordan’s hands, Tex’s eyes became filled with disappointment.  For all of his worldly talents, Michael Jordan could not pass the ball.  Not in the sense that Jordan lacked court vision.  Not even in the sense that Jordan was an over dribbling, over penetrating ball hog.  No, Tex Winter’s disappointment stemmed from the fact that Michael Jordan could not throw a technically sound chest pass.  Last season, the Bulls had used some parts of Winter’s offense.  This season would mark the first time an NBA team would embrace the entire scope of the Triangle Offense.  However, Winter had to do one thing before he could implement the storied offense - teach Michael Jordan how to throw a proper chest pass.

Now or never

In today's post we will take a look at game two of the 2011 Western Conference Semi Finals

Ignorance is bliss...

In today's post, we'll take a look at game one of the 2011 Western Conference Semifinals between the Mavericks and the Lakers.

Free Gift Subscription to mySynergySports Giveaway (Update: Is over!)

Update: Congratulations to Joshua Priemski, winner of the free mySynergySports subscription!  Thank you to everyone who sent in suggestions.

I usually try to keep this blog focused on the triangle (unless there is an AmMo Moment) but today I have a unique opportunity for an exciting giveaway.  Well, exciting if you are a basketball geek.

If you follow me on twitter, you may have come across some of the live game notes that I take:

Miscues and Adjustments

In today's post we will look at some of the tactics the New Orleans Hornets used to beat the Lakers in game one and the adjustments that need to be made for the Lakers to move on to the second round.

Forming the Triangle

In today's post, we will go over some of the ways to form the distinctive sideline triangle that gives the Triangle Offense its name.

Audibles and Freelancing

In today's post, we will see how the offense deals with players making changes on the fly.

Two pass to the top techniques

In today's post we will discuss some of the fundamental techniques taught to players to execute the two pass to the top and look at more options of this two pass.

Solo Variations

In today's post we will take a look at some of the different setups the Lakers use for the Solo series.