The New York Knicks have gotten off to a slow start this season, and already we are hearing rumblings that the offense has been a source of frustration for both Phil Jackson and the players.
Jackson, of course, is a big proponent of the triangle offense. He has won 11 combined NBA titles by utilizing that system, and Ian Begley of ESPN.com reports that Jackson is unhappy with the number of times the Knicks have used the triangle offense during their 2-4 start.
Here’s where things get really interesting — Begley also notes that Knicks players feel the team is running the triangle too much and that it doesn’t suit Derrick Rose’s game.
According to sources, some Knicks players have expressed their displeasure over the offense because they feel it doesn’t suit their personnel, particularly point guard Derrick Rose, who has traditionally thrived when using pick-and-rolls.
During training camp, Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek said Jackson has given him the freedom to run the offense how he sees fit. One Eastern Conference scout told Begley that he only saw New York operate out of the triangle a handful of times during Friday’s win over the Chicago Bulls. The Knicks scored a season-high 117 points in that game.
Jackson is in his third season with the Knicks, and expectations are high with Carmelo Anthony not getting any younger and Rose and Joakim Noah now in the fold. Given what Rose recently said about grasping New York’s offense, you have to wonder if Jackson, Hornacek and the players are all on the same page. If not, we could be in for another long season at Madison Square Garden.
