Phil Jackson: ‘Today’s players simply lack the skills to play the triangle’

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Last December, when the New York Knicks were 10-14, team president Phil Jackson talked to Charley Rosen about several topics, regarding the Knicks and the NBA in general.

One topic was the root cause of the Knicks’ struggles at the time. Jackson put some of the onus on his players’ shortcomings.

“Today’s players simply lack the skills to play the triangle,” Jackson told Rosen in an interview published Friday by Today’s Fastbreak. “They know how to play one-on-one, catch-and-shoot, and they’ve mastered crossover dribbles, spins, playing off of screens and step-back shots. They don’t know how to execute things like inside-reverse pivots and other basic footwork. They have no sense of timing or organization. They don’t really know how to play five-on-five basketball. It’s strictly generational.”

Was Jackson simply frustrated because of the Knicks’ struggles at the time? Or is this something he sees as a major issue?

Given that the interview was conducted nearly eight months ago and based on the context, it’s presumptive to assume the latter.

But if Jackson really believes “today’s players simply lack the skills to play the triangle,” it’s logical to wonder why Jackson is so strident in wanting the Knicks to run the offense.

New York’s offense might change to a degree next season, but Jackson and the Knicks remain committed to using the triangle in half-court sets.

Phil Jackson’s comments about the triangle …

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