The Triangle Offense

Tex Winter, unsung hero and the creator of the Triangle Offense

The Bulls acclaimed Triangle Offense, easily recognized by it's fast-moving quick-passes and spread formation, proves that their is more to the Bulls offense than just getting the ball to Jordan. If it is so effective, then why don't more NBA teams use it? Here are some reasons:

1) Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen
Jordan and Pippen are so effective in the Triangle Offense because they have great court-awareness. Also they are both great one-on-one players. This makes it very hard to stop them as the shot clock winds down.

2) Too Complicated?
It is commonly believed that the Triangle Offense is hard to learn. This is untrue. While it is set up different than other common offenses, with a little teaching it can be easily learned.

3) Too Long to Learn
The NBA is such a cut-throat business that coaches don't want to take the time to implement an entirely new offense. The Bulls started to implement it in 1985, but didn't completely rely on it until 1989 when Jackson took over.

4) Players Just Don't Like It
Many players just don't like it, and it is hard to run an offense effectively without the players believing in it. Many stars dislike it because they have to pass the ball more and take shots from unfamiliar spots.

5) Coaches Just Don't Like It
Coaches have egos too, so they want to have their own style.

A version of the Triangle Offense was created and used by USC in the 1940's. Winter, who graduated from USC in 1947, worked out the kinks and took it to Chicago in 1985. In 1989, Phil Jackson was hired as the new head coach of the Bulls. He decided to fully implement the offense, but Jordan didn't agree with Jackson's decision. Jackson convinced Jordan that the offense would be vital for the Bulls to win a world championship and the rest is history.

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