The Triangle Offense Explained

ESPN's documentary series, "The Last Dance," has helped sports fans maintain their sanity during these times of quarantining and stay-at-home orders. Not only did casual viewers get a glimpse of the great 1997-98 Chicago Bulls team led by Michael Jordan, but they got a history lesson about the game of basketball itself.

One of the more perplexing topics covered in Episodes 3 and 4 was the Bulls' implementation of the triangle offense. Viewers saw ex-Bulls head coach Phil Jackson drawing diagrams on a chalk board to his team, leaving many feeling like they were back in their high school AP Geometry class. But don't worry, we've got you covered on the history of the triangle offense.

What is the Triangle Offense in Basketball?

The triangle offense is a strategy in which a series of actions are dependent on spacing and player decisions.

Perhaps the most important feature of this system is the sideline triangle, where the center lines up at the low post, the forward stands at the wing, and the guard situates himself at the corner. In turn, the other guard stands at the top of the key, while the remaining forward is at the weak-side high post, creating a "two-man team." That spacing allows a player to pass it to their four teammates and eventually shoot the ball once they create an opening in the defense.

That alone makes it the deadliest offense in basketball, but it only works with players that have high IQ.

Who Invented the Triangle Offense?

Many credit the creation of the triangle offense to Tex Winter. In actuality, Sam Barry established the basic concepts of the offense during his time as head coach of the USC Trojans. Winter played on Barry's team back in the late 1940's, and further developed the offensive scheme during his days as a coach.

Winter joined the Bulls as an assistant coach in 1985, and was adamant in the team using the triangle offense. But, then-head coach Doug Collins (1986-89) wasn't a fan of it, and insistently shut down his suggestions. That all changed once Jackson took over for Collins, and used the triangle to his advantage.

The end result saw Jackson and Winter win 11 NBA Championships with the Bulls (6) and the Los Angeles Lakers (5). But, as the game of basketball evolved, the triangle offense died. Jackson tried to implement the scheme with the New York Knicks as team president (2014-17). But as is the case with anything related to the Knicks, it failed miserably.

Still, we'll forever have memories of the triangle offense being used by arguably two of the greatest teams in NBA history.