The Zen Master is back... The TRIANGLE OFFENSE

In honour of Phil Jackson and his return to the league.

Let's take a brief look at one of his and Mr. Tex Winters' theory & principles...

Offensive Basketball Play #1: TRIANGLE PRINCIPLES


In the triangle offense 4 and 5 are the only players to play the post position. 1,2 and 3 are interchangeable at the various perimeter positions (point guard, strong-side wing, weak-side wing and corner position).
The shape of a triangle is formed on the ball side by the post player, the wing player and the corner man. The triangle can be formed on either the right or left side; it can be initiated by either a pass from the point guard to one of the wing men or by the point guard dribbling over to one of the wing positions.
Whichever player ends up with the ball in the strong-side wing position becomes the "trigger man" - what he does with the ball determines the offensive movement.
The offense begins with 4 and 5 located at the elbows and the two wing players on the lower blocks, as shown. When the point guard reaches the bottom of the mid-circle, 4 and 5 then downpick for 2 and 3 to get them open in the wing areas for a pass from 1,

Another way to begin the triangle is to have 1 dribble to either wing position with the wing player then v-cutting down to the corner position and the strong-side post player moving to the high-post elbow position, as shown here.

Either of these two ways to begin the offense will result in the triangle being set up. In this example, where 1 has passed to 3 on the wing then cut through to the corner, the triangle is set on the right side with 3 on the wing as the trigger man, 1 in the corner and 5 in the ball-side high post area.
2 moves up to the point area for defensive protection and 4 moves out to the weak side wing area.

Spurs vs Pistons

The Spurs the constant team machine versus the pride of Motown Detroit Pistons. The two organizations are very similar in style and poise. They both play defense and they are well coached. The top brass is outstanding, Dumars is nasty and his counterparts RC Buford equally so. Who is going to win? Everyone in basketball land is yelling for a Game 7. Both teams are evenly matched, they both enjoy depth. To think Larry Brown has caused so much commotion with his uncertainty next year. Look over the last few years, I have finally realized that coaches have egos too. Look at Phil Jackson and Larry Brown constantly in the media. They say to mind your business and butt out but they love the hype and gossip too. Pop is a constant professional mirror of his star Duncan. His mentor is Coach Brown but he carries himself differently with a stern iron fist. Pop is focused on his squad and nothing else. He reminds me of Larry Brown last year. This should be a battle of the ages. The first time in 35 years that the number one and two teams in the league in defense will match their wit against each other. Personally, I do not care who wins. I just cannot wait to watch the execution and desire from both foes. Anyone who loves ball will love this series. The league deep down is vex that they did not get the Shaq vs Duncan marketing hype multi-million dollar machine. They would have hyped the matchup as the best big men of our ages. Now, its just simply straight execution and defensive. How do you sell that to the masses? To be honest this series is going to be quite refreshing regardless of outcome.

LiptonSupreme