Scoop B: From the Chicago Bulls to the Los Angeles Lakers, how do you explain the triangle offense to dummies?!

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Brooklyn native and former NBA G-Leaguer Jamael Lynch chats with Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson explains the triangle offense to Scoop B Radio. Press Play Below To Listen!

So I don’t know about you but I wasn’t the most attentive during high school Geometry class.

I wish I was though, I’d better be able to process the legendary triangle offense.

You name it, they played in it: Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal Scottie Pippen and Carmelo Anthony are most notable.

Created by Hall of Fame coach, Sam Barr, the triangle offense was widely popularized by former Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers assistant coach, Tex Winter.

Simply put, the triangle offense is the most optimal way for five players to space the floor on the basketball court.

The primary goal of the triangle offense is legitimately to creates good spacing between players. Additionally, the offense allows each one to pass to four teammates. Moreover, every pass and cut has a purpose and everything is dictated by the defense.

Brooklyn, New York native, Jamael Lynch, founder of the Big and Little Skills Academy (BALSA), a 501c3 certified non-profit dedicated to elevating the lives of young people through the game of basketball. played national and international basketball in France and Germany, as well as with teams such as the Erie Bayhawks and LA Defenders of the NBA D-League, and the North Dallas Vandals.

Appearing on the Scoop B Radio Podcast, Lynch, broke down the triangle offense and his experience in learning it and running it while trying out for the Westchester Knicks.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: Hey you want to be where you from. The Knicks come calling, can you run a triangle?

Jamael Lynch: Umm yeah, I actually can run a triangle. I have some experience with that.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: Really?

NEW YORK, NY- MARCH 24, 2016: Big and Little Skills Academy (BALSA) spring photo shoot. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Photo by Jon Lopez

Jamael Lynch: Yeah, Yeah, I have a little experience with that.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: Playing with the LA Defenders?

Jamael Lynch: No, with the Westchester Knicks. I had some workouts with them.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: Okay.

Jamael Lynch: So, I have some experience doing that. It’s not as hard as people think it is, but it is limited in terms of being a playmaker, it’s kind of difficult.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: And I would imagine… No disrespect, but to be a point guard like yourself, the triangle offense is predicated on bigger, bigger guards.  

Jamael Lynch: Yeah exactly.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: So, how does that limit you in playing in fact that you are a smaller guard running it?

Jamael Lynch: Well it limits me in more so in terms of allowing myself to be a playmaker. Using pick and rolls, stuff like that, but there are situation in the triangle when you can use pick and rolls, but you just have to call that set. And especially, if you’re a dominant point guard like myself, it’s not that difficult. But when you have a dominant player like Carmelo Anthony… You know how that goes.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: We just feeding the ball to him.

Jamael Lynch: You just feeding the ball and spotting up.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: So I fell asleep a lot in geometry class. I understand Princeton offense, I understand flex, I understand four corners. But I understand when you’re in a triangle offense, you’re constantly running in a geometric triangle pattern, with the center staying down low, and the perimeter guy being on the left or the right.

Jamael Lynch: Yeah, yeah.

Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson: What am I missing that I didn’t talk about?

Jamael Lynch: Basically, that’s it right there. So you know the side… Usually they pass the ball to the high post, you cut off the high post, both angles cut off the high post. The triangle on the other side is like a down screen for the wing player coming up top. Usually when you get the ball into that pinch post, that’s usually Carmelo, Jordan, Kobe, that’s where all the work is happening. The other side is just like a decoy. You know what I mean?

More on the architect of the triangle offense, Tex Winter

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