At least he follows a pattern of success I like to see in a future head coach, and has worked under some great minds in Tex Winter and Phil Jackson.

Improvisation….But your weakness is not in your Technique…..

anybody know the reference 10000 shrugles (thats what blogabull currency is called right?) to the one who gets it

as part of his settlement with the Magic.

Is “Chicago Tribune Live” available online for viewing?

They are ideally suited for the triangle. Work with me here because I want to use your David West/Luol Deng comparison since it further maximizes Luol Deng’s value.

The triangle is really the triple high post offense. It’s been tweaked by Tex Winter for Phil Jackson’s different roster makeups between the Bulls and the Lakers. What keeps the system in place is the top level belief in its purpose and value. That’s Phil. But what makes it work on the floor is the high post screener that can provide a solid screen and maintain options to roll off the screen to the rim, maintain a stationary position until the ball handler makes a move, or leak out into open space for a 15 to 20’ jump shot or fall back behind the arc if the screener has the perimeter game. The two ideal players for this high post position are Luol Deng and Andres Nocioni.

In most matchups, these two players will likely be shorter than their opponent, but should make up for that relatively easily with speed and footwork. The two areas where the most coaching and development would be necessary is with Deng and Noc on their back to the basket moves. Both players need work in this area so that they are more comfortable using this move to either get a good shot or draw extra defenders to create opportunities for their teammates. What we have seen from Noc and Deng in their respective back to the basket games is either a lack of confidence or moves that are out of control providing for forced shots, bad passes, and either player having to pick themselves up off the floor generating transitions for the opponent.

Since the Lakers are the only other team in the NBA that uses the triangle our comparative options are slim. But look at the Lakers starting lineup and their rotation. Fisher(1), Bryant(2), Odom(3), Radman(4), Gasol(5). First man off the bench is usually Walton(3) for Radman, Odom moves to 4. Second off the bench is Farmer(1) for Fisher. Turiaf(5) will enter for Gasol. Radman will enter for Odom. Vujacic will enter for Bryant. Bryant will return a few minutes later and play the 3 until Odom returns. These lineups aren’t quite orthodox.

The two players that make the triangle flow are Bryant and Odom. Their complimentary players that also make the triangle flow is anyone that penetrates to the rim to pull defenders off their Laker teammates. While the triangle is designed to move players and space the floor it’s primary objective, design or not, is to confuse the defense so the dribble penetrators(Kobe/Lamar) can get in the paint to collapse the defense.

Right away what should stand out as a real question when applying the triangle to Chicago is who is our Kobe and who is our Odom? I’m not talking about their level of play, but rather what role they represent and the necessary skillset required to perform the role. One must be a strong ball handler. One must be able to protect the basketball once they pick up their dribble on the drive. One must possess the pull up jump shot. But most importantly one must possess the skill to see the defense collapsing as their teammates are rotating to react to the collapse. I don’t think we have any players close to be able to handle this task. The best options on the current roster are Hinrich, Gordon, and Thabo. Hughes is a possibility, but I think he lacks the necessary discipline to pass the ball off the high post screen. Over his career he has consistently shown he will either pull up and shoot or drive to get fouled. This is good for some possessions, but when that defense is collapsing and you don’t see it and you still force a shot Hughes has to pray for a call or he’s missing the shot, not getting a call, and then complaining about no call leaving him out of defensive position.

The greatest challenge in importing the triangle is patience. Do the current players have any interest in learning a system designed to make them trust in each other? The media reports indicate that some active players were excited about D’Antoni. That would be a new system, but I think it would be an easier import for what resources we already possess. D’Antoni’s system would be like using the King’s English with American English speaking players. The Triangle is Latin.

Reinsdorf knows the value of the triangle. Paxson does too. Pete Myers should know it. Johnny Bach knows it. There are people around the club actively that know the Triangle. Is that enough? Doubtful.

His meetings are legendary.