At one point during last season, New York Knicks’ superstar Carmelo Anthony scolded teammate Kristapz Porzingis when the latter praised the “Triangle Offense,” the system that Phil Jackson introduced when he took over as the team president in 2014. According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, Porzingis’ positive reaction on the “Triangle Offense” did not sit well with Anthony, with one source saying “Melo really chewed him out, lit into him.”
The incident happened around March when the Knicks began focusing again on the “Triangle Offense.” “We’re starting to learn it now the way we should, and we should have been playing from the beginning of the season,” Porzingis was quoted as saying when asked about Jackson’s offense.
Since its inception, Anthony has repeatedly expressed his displeasure over the offensive scheme. Many experts predicted that Anthony’s style of play doesn’t suit that kind of offense. Jackson also complained about Anthony “holding the ball too long” during games. Jackson even said that Anthony could play the role that Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant played with the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers, respectively. Jackson won 11 titles with the Bulls and Lakers the help of the Triangle.
Derek Fisher, Jeff Hornacek both tried 'Triangle' but failed
When Jackson was hired as team president, he brought in Derek Fisher to teach the Knicks the “Triangle Offense.” Fisher even expressed confidence that Anthony, known as a set-play type of player, can thrive in the “Triangle Offense.” However, the new offensive scheme did not work as the Knicks finished with a franchise-worst 17-65 mark in 2014.
After drafting Porzingis, the Knicks began the year with a 22-22 mark but lost nine of their next 10 to slip to 23-31. The Knicks then fired Fisher, who accumulated a 40-96 mark with the Knicks. Kurt Rambis replaced Fisher before hiring Jeff Hornacek last season. The Knicks retained Rambis as the assistant with the task of teaching the “Triangle.”
Triangle offense now dead in New York
With Jackson now out as team president, Hornacek is expected to implement his offensive scheme.
However, Anthony might not be around as he is expected to be traded or bought out in the summer. Anthony has a no-trade clause in his contract, making it hard for the Knicks to ship him to another team. If the Knicks buy out the remaining $60 million in his contract, Anthony is expected to join LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.
