In June 2016, when Jeff Hornacek took the reins as head coach of the New York Knicks, he resurrected the famous triangle system, a strategy that had previously led several legendary teams to glory. However, by the mid-2010s, this once-celebrated style seemed to be showing signs of age.
Isaiah Thomas, then a point guard for the Boston Celtics, was candid about it. He said, “I just think if you don’t have Kobe, Shaq or Michael Jordan, the triangle doesn’t work,” as CBS Sports pointed out.
Phil Jackson, the Knicks team president at the time, was a key figure behind Hornacek’s decision to implement the triangle. Known for his deep association with this system, Jackson previously led the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers to multiple championships using the principles of the triangle. His proximity to the team likely offered Hornacek a resource for navigating this ambitious style of play.
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Despite Jackson’s track record, where fitting into the triangle meant the difference between mediocrity and titles (with an unmatched 11 championships to his name), the strategy doesn’t guarantee results for every franchise.
The essence of the triangle system lies in teamwork, with an emphasis on sharing ball-handling responsibilities and capitalizing on team synergy rather than relying on individual exploits. He seeks to create balance and fluidity on the pitch, forming a literal triangle with the leaders and bigs that facilitates passing and cutting opportunities.
However, despite following the system, teams can find themselves in difficulty late in the match when points are scarce. In these critical moments, a scoring leader is essential — a role that suited MJ perfectly in Chicago, and was filled by Kobe and Shaq during their Lakers dynasty.
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Unfortunately for the Knicks, the 2016-17 season became a forgettable chapter, as they failed to emulate the success of past Triangle teams, finishing the campaign with a disappointing 31-51 record and missing the playoffs. . Carmelo Anthony, expected to thrive in this system, was transferred after an unsatisfactory performance, while Jackson also left the franchise in the offseason.
Looking back, as Kobe Bryant once described it, the difference between the triangle system and contemporary styles lies in intentional play rather than serendipitous outcomes. The Knicks’ journey illustrates how vital star talent is to the success of such a strategy.
