Triangle offense
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The Triangle offense, also known as the Triple-Post offense, is an offensive strategy in basketball. Its basic ideas were initially established by Hall of Fame coach Sam Barry at the University of Southern California, and his system was later refined by former Kansas State University head basketball coach and current Los Angeles Lakers consultant Tex Winter, who played for Barry in the late 1940s.
The system's most important feature is the sideline triangle created between the center, who stands at the low post; the forward, at the wing, and the guard at the corner. The team's other guard stands at the top of the key and the weak-side forward is on the weak-side high post — together forming the "two-man game."
The goal of the offense is to fill those five spots, which creates good spacing between players and allows each one to pass to four teammates. Every pass and cut has a purpose and everything is dictated by the defense.
The offense starts when the ballhandler passes to the wing and cuts to the corner. This creates the triangle. If the defense allows it, the second pass goes to the center. The center can try to score, but the other players are also moving off the ball to create more passing opportunities. The corner guard and strong-side wing can cut hard to the basket, or set screens for each other or the two-players on the weak-side. If the strong-side wing is guarded tightly, he cuts hard to the basket expecting a pass from the center. The same goes for the corner on the baseline cut. Because the center is the first option, it's very important for the player to be a good passer.
If a pass to the center is not possible, the second option is to pass to the weak-side guard, establishing the two-man game. As the guard gets the ball, the weak-side forward makes a v-cut to receive a pass on the "pinch-post" between the elbow and the three-point line. Now the guard can cut around the forward and get a hand-off, then shoot a mid-range jumper or cut to the basket, depending on the defender. Meanwhile, on the other side, the wing sets a screen for the corner guard on the triangle split. If the hand-off is not available, the forward or the guard can pass to the corner guard coming off the screen. If the defense overplays or expects the split, both the wing and the corner guard can counter-cut to the basket. The forward must be a good passer and be able to read the defense.
If the wing-to-guard pass is not possible, the third option is for the weak-side forward to flash to the strong-side elbow, take the pass, and cut to the basket on the trademark backdoor play of the offense. Meanwhile, the wing and corner guard execute a split. The forward with the ball can pass to the cutting guard or to the corner guard coming off the wing's screen. If nothing's available, he can shoot the basketball himself.
Another option is the corner-series. The wing passes to the corner guard and the cuts hard to the basket on the baseline. If he is open, he gets the ball and attempts a layup. If that is not available, the center and the corner guard execute a corner pick and roll. At the same time, the three other players establish good spacing on the weak-side so that if the defense rotates, all three of them can get the pass for an open shot.
The wing can also dribble penetrate to the basket if he has a mismatch. Again, the weak-side players have to shift far enough so that needed space is created for the wing to penetrate. If the defense collapses, they have to be ready for a pass from the wing.
The offense also has a variety of options if there's heavy pressure from the defense. If the initial wing-pass by the guard isn't available, the triangle can be created on the other side by passing to the other guard, who then passes to the weak-side forward (who then becomes the strong-side wing). The guard, who initially had the ball, then cuts to the other corner. The center or the pressured wing can flash to the opposite post. If the guard-to-guard pass is not available, the weak-side forward can make a similar flash cut that was mentioned earlier. That also creates many cutting opportunities. If there is heavy pressure on everybody, the center can release the pressure by cutting to the high post for a pass by the ballhandling guard. That would also create space for possible cuts.
Critics of the triangle offense say that it is too difficult and time-consuming to learn. While that might be true, when learned, it becomes very natural and everything starts to make sense. Essentially, the main philosophy behind the offense is to pursue the path of least resistance. Every pass, every cut, and every screen has a purpose. The Chicago Bulls, led by head coach Phil Jackson with help from assistant coach Winter, won six NBA titles in the 1990s playing in the triangle, and the Lakers won three championships while Jackson and Winter were Lakers coaches and used this offense. NBA greats such as Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant had never won NBA championships before their teams adopted the triangle system. Shaquille O'Neal won an NBA championship later without the triangle offense. Other teams, such as the New Jersey Nets and Indiana Pacers, have adopted certain sets from the offense, but in NBA history, only teams coached by Phil Jackson have used the entire arsenal of the offense.
