These days, Kobe Bryant offers an alley-oop Pau Gasol’s way and the two can
exchange roles the very next play. Luke Walton posts up, then drifts out for a
three-point shot, or Lamar Odom ducks and dives his way to the rim for enough
double-doubles to fill his heart’s content.
The part-mystical, part head-scratching triangle offense is functioning quite
smoothly with Gasol completing the Lakers’ trifecta.
Possibly more so than . . . Michael Jordan’s championship days under Phil
Jackson? [Read]
Hoffman Not quite yet as until this present act actually wins something . Absolutely nobody'll want to hear or make the comparisons. They've got to win at least two championships to assume that mantle.
When I woke up this morning, Abram's article was the first thing I read on the s-h-i-t-t-e-r.
If it isn't already obvious, you need players with high basketball IQ's in order to run the triangle efficiently and above all, win.
John Paxson, BJ Armstrong, Steve Kerr, Craig Hodges, Jud Buechler, Bill Cartwright, Horace Grant, Ron Harper, Randy Brown, Cliff Levingston, Scott Williams, Dickie Simpkins, Bill Wennington, Luc Longley, Rick Fox, Robert Horry, Derek Fisher, Brian Shaw, A.C. Green, Jordan Farmar, Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic, Ronny Turiaf.
All these guys would hardly be called superstars but are indispensable to the team's success because they're smart players. They can read a defense and react appropriately and be able to adjust on the fly.
These are the players that make the MVPs - Jordan, Shaq, Kobe - better than what they actually are. Shaq's best and most dominant years was when he played in the triangle. With Rudy T's offense, Kobe struggled and didn't win squat. Before Jackson became coach in Chicago, Jordan never got past the second round of the playoffs and won on sheer physical talent alone.
Phil and Tex Winter's system has led to nine titles going on ten. There's no mistaking what's made them successful.
Too bad more teams in the league can't emulate it because it takes real students of the game to understand the most efficient, stable, and successful offensive system in the history of the game.
With the proper role players, the triangle will turn a regular NBA superstar into a legend.
Pau seems to fit the system better than Shaq due to his mid-range shooting ability and willingness to pass. He also doesn't present an ego to rival Kobe's. With Lamar, Fish, Luke, Sasha, Borat, Farmar, Turiaf and the rest, the pieces fit quite nicely. I'm not counting on Bynum or Ariza to return this postseason, but I remain confident in this teams chances as is.
12-1 in our last 13 games played.
Pretty good timing.
We had winning records against Utah, N.O. & the Spurs this season, and beat them all fairly recently (late in the season).
All that's left is to continue proving it to the tune of 12 more wins.
LAKERS IN JUNE.
Last edited by BleedPRPL&GLD on May 2nd at 12:45 PM.
"I don't understand why some players/teams have a hard time learning its intricacies"
maybe, HOFFMAN, it's because today's NBA players lack the basketball IQ or recognition or know-how, whatever you want to call it.
A lot of today's players have gone pro straight out of high school or after only one-year of college thus missing out on a ton of valuable "basketball education" if you will.
Today's players are no longer students of the game, since they rely solely on god-given talent and jumping ability to get by. No matter how much film you show them, nothing beats practicing the fundamentals with repitition. And most of this basic stuff is learned in college from a great coach.
The "consciousness" of the modern basketball player has changed. And it doesn't help the youth any when ESPN shows highlights that consists of nothing but dunks, alley-oops, and behind-the-back passes.
For a change, why not show a play that was executed to perfection with all five players touching the ball in a motion offense with cuts and backdoors that led to an easy lay-up making an NBA defense look junior varsity?
It may not draw oohs and aahs, but it's basketball the way it was meant to be played.
Hoffman Down here in Miami with my kids whom I tutor in karate. They're here for a tournament that they were entered in. Boy are the chicks down here hot !
Anyway I'm hoping that they do well.
As for the Spurs they were really outplayed by thew Hornets. West and Paul were spectacular. And Duncan was woefully inept and if they continue to play like this then the series'll be over before we're all able to bat an eyelid.
And say what you will about the Pistons they're taking care of the Magic just rather too easily for my liking. The Magic are good but they're now playing with the 'big boys' not the kid in a sandbox.
I love basketball. While many basketball fans enjoy the month of March, I prefer the months of April, May, and June. My favorite team is the Los Angeles Lakers. However, my loyalty to the Lakers will not prevent me from giving my unbiased opinion on each and every team and player in the league. I look forward to productive chats, heated debates, and honest opinions.
