The Triangle Offense Part 1: How The Lakers And Bulls Won Titles:

[@RandyBooker]

I'm sure I speak for many hoopers who played in high school or collegiality when I say: Watching your channel shows just how important it is to have a good coach...or/and how devastatingly bad your team will be without one (as TOO many of us REAL hoopers know..)

[@thomasovenshine2806]

so true

[@Khiljaeden]

yeah too many of us REAL HOOPERS can relate to that. bad coaching can be disastrous even for teams with great players.

[@nycnow811]

Gorgeous Execution OKC should know!

[@frankyboy7596]

I remember my highschool years where me and another guy on the team were beast, but we didnt have a single play on offence. Coach just said pass the ball to the post (me) and try to have mouvement...We were playing with 2 posts, one on each side, so it was really nice when everytime you try to post up a guy moved 2 feet to double you. Plus, the other good guy (SF) didnt have any room to drive since we were two posts waiting under the basket...

[@tahasiddiqui1351]

OMG EXACTLY, MY COACH LEGIT ONLY KNOWS ONE WORD AND THAT IS PLAY MAN ON MAN. LEGIT, THATS THE ONLY THING HE KNOWS. HE DOESNT EVEN KNOW WHAT A FRICKIN PICK AND ROLL IS.

[@bballbreakdown]

That's the goal when I coach - I don't ever want to call a play if I don't have to. I want the players, as a unit, moving in unison

[@NateTheMovieGuy]

this is a great offense to run for basketball when you think about it it always keeps the defense guessing and it gives the offense plenty of opportunities to score

[@creolecajun9988]

Phil Jackson won 11 NBA Championships runing this offense id say its ok

[@theawesomewarlover1680]

Watching this the day after Kobe passed away, and he starts talking about Kobe. Literally, you can’t really ever talk about basketball offense without Kobe coming up

[@Blippy-hb4by]

theawesomewarlover same I feel terrible

[@bballbreakdown]

It totally works against the zone - it basically forces a 2-3 zone to play man. The corner option is devastating since it can't cover all the options...

[@isoextreme]

I would love to see this vs a zone Def!

[@CorporateHoops]

@@isoextreme it would kill a zone because it exposes the weakness in it. Mid post, 3 point, and cutting and moving.

[@bballbreakdown]

YES! It's hard due to time constraints to find enough good ∆ footage, but I was glad I came across that possession...

[@InTrevWeTrust]

3:29 lol come on man.

[@saulkyut]

lol epic fail

[@ryanmagiera4402]

except then 4:11 he makes it up. lol

[@dmohoops1119]

Trevy trev’s bio, Milestones: date unknown- deletes first official youtube video. Therefore erasing all youtube milestones

[@InTrevWeTrust]

@@dmohoops1119 .....okay?

[@dmohoops1119]

Trevy Trev all love bro don’t get upset

[@jonathanlim7305]

My eyes are so used to defensive schemes I can't understand a thing about this triangle offense. Thank you Thibs!

[@yojlemsaidolem]

In the Philippines, Coach Tim runs the Triangle offense that brought him a Grandslam title. He is also the coach with the most wins in the PBA.

[@WeArePharmers]

Thanks, Coach Nick. This is an excellent and easy-to-understand tutorial. I've always wondered how The Triangle works.

[@bballbreakdown]

Absolutely! Pinch post can be a screen of the weakside guard, and corner option (which is on Part 2) is deadly

[@noxzorz]

Thanks coach Nick! This is explained really well, I never completely got what the triangle offense is, now I see that one of my old coaches had us running this 24/7 every game. It was one of my better basketball years, a lot of fun. And like you said, it's not very complicated, just keep doing the same over and over again and you will always have options.

[@bezzeler2000]

Kobe learned the post so he could be the first option out of the triangle.

[@LivinginFullEffect25]

Jordan also

[@BrodyKramer]

RIP

[@pasqualinocuzzetto8964]

What are you talking about...Kobe ran the triangle...

[@rossmacfarlane6154]

@EveryDayIsAGoodDay nobody runs the triangle. the triangle runs you

[@refuse2lose1985]

THAT WAS RIDICULOUSLY GOOD! I really started to understand the triangle a little! :) Especially cool when I could see what you were talking about on the last play where they transitioned back to the first option. Watching your vids have definitely increased my basketball IQ.

[@bballbreakdown]

Thanks! I certainly love coaching - or teaching, as I call it :)

[@MrYoumitube]

There is good triangle & bad triangle offence, like you said coach when it is flowing into 1st into 2nd,3rd option it's pretty to watch.

[@hansflorentino8505]

Phenomenal explanation!!!

[@carseye1219]

I just like when a team offense, at any level, executed well, is a big component of a score instead of just individual brilliance. I hate pure isolation BB. I personally hated that international ball went to the 24 second clock. Now it's like a lot of the NBA- run a couple of screens then clear out for somebody to break their defender down off the bounce. That 30 clock gave time for people to run some beautiful plays.

[@eastoakland91]

Wow good stuff.. Damn if only cp3 would've gone to the lakers

[@s1lenzeify]

I started watching basketball around 1-2 years ago and your videos have incredibly helped me understand the game and even get better in pickup games in my free time :D I cant wait for the season to start and for you to make more breakdowns, love 'em

[@killumminati9587]

coach, you deserve at LEAST 2 million views on each video with over 2 million subscribers. your stuff is awesome, i dont know how its not viral yet.

[@bballbreakdown]

When you see part 2 - the 3rd option - this is what the Bulls used to break presses - just extending the action farther out on the floor.

[@bballbreakdown]

You wouldn't get to the position to win the game without this offense, boss. And if you remember, almost all the titles were one on shots by others besides Michael...

[@billbahr]

Very nice!! BTW, the Bulls' triangle offense is outlined as one of many strategies in the book "Strategic Advantage: How to Win in War, Business, and Life."

[@bballbreakdown]

Awesome - glad you followed along. Stay tuned for part 2!

[@kham_forshort]

Kobe and Gigi's Memorial brought me here. Rest in Peace to the Bryants 😢

[@miket6068]

C@ 10:37 Thank you guys for your time and knowledge

[@bballbreakdown]

Then the guard on top can flash to the wing and get a little 15 foot pass from him. But you can train your center to take one dribble away from the pressure and throw the skip pass. It might take several games and practices, but they'll get it..

[@ExceedtheHypecom]

Carmelo on the pinch post every play. Lol next level indeed

[@REEFERONI_]

man's smoked that first lay up 😂

[@bballbreakdown]

YES! Pinch post is great against it- as is the corner option...

[@rakhunuhepptaylor2135]

your explainations for the triangle offense are the best that I have come across , and I havebeen looking consistently for awhile, because you stress the rules the things you always do. . Umpteenth time I have watched this video. thanks again.

[@bballbreakdown]

Rodman ran ∆ in 1992 with Pistons, and I have no doubt when he got to the Bulls, and got to see how he could attack offensive rebounds from the weakside, he was ecstatic

[@illusioniser]

That was probably the best basketball video I have ever seen, and not just from you, the best ever...

[@OBODZ1]

Love this channel. I'm not really into basketball but all these breakdowns are so resourceful. I wouldn't have known all these plays and just randomly drive or shoot or dunk in NBA 2K.

[@bballbreakdown]

Absolutely - pinch post is devastating. Instead of passing to the pinch post - he can screen the guard to the outside and you can get a great little midrange (or 3) shot

[@bballbreakdown]

Awesome. Keep me updated. Don't miss part 2 - it's up now!

[@bballbreakdown]

Tex Winter's book is the definitive book - available on Amazon

[@KiDarkness]

Great video! It was a little difficult to understand it explained (conceptually) at first, but once it was shown in real-time, it made perfect sense. The clips where the Lakers run it made it instantly recognizable. I'll definitely be able to tell from watching when teams are running it now. Thanks Coach!

[@yoghrut]

coach i have to say you do an outstanding job in trying to improve the world's understanding of basketball. i admire that. if you had planned by any chance to bring out an app that would dynamically show step by step different things (e.g. screens, pick and roll/pop, offences, zone defences, etc.) i'd really appreciate it and even pay for it, you can't deny the knowledge and passion you have for the game. keep it up!

[@padolph007]

I am attempting to teach this to middle school girls...We ran it a little with our AAU team and they kept getting better as the season progressed.

[@rakhunuhepptaylor2135]

so are you still running it? how well did it go long term if you did?

[@w1ldm4n82]

Hearing Kobe's name and seeing him in this video makes me so sad again. Still can't believe the legendary dude is gone already until now. 😿

[@gabrielleite32]

It's bizarre that something that won 11 rings has a bad reputation. It's like putting it in the same category of the princeton offense. At first it seems complicated, but if you check the rules and make it an habit, it's pretty intuitive and as someone pointed out, even when lazily done has great effects, as 2010 lakers.

[@bballbreakdown]

It's about the process for me. You have a good grasp of certain things, but there should be ideals that coaches strive for and I take those very seriously..

[@bballbreakdown]

Ha - well, yes! As soon as I get a whole crew on these, I can really concentrate on the actual basketball, lol

[@AyoRhymer]

i love you Coach. this helped me understand the triangle so much more than those vague websites with poor diagramming

[@bballbreakdown]

YES - there are a number of actions that resemble the triangle in D'Antoni's offense.

[@Snownom]

Love the video Coach! So excited for the new season, which also means more Coach Nick videos!!

[@bballbreakdown]

Awesome. I can't wait too! Two more days!!

[@IcantThinkOfAname9]

Been waiting for this for sooooooooooooo long.

[@PR0BY717]

Coach Nick i respect you and i love your videos so much, i learned so much about the plays running offence, helping one pass away, and different type of defenses im watching you 2 years keep up the great work we cant find better basketball couch than you im sure that if you coached some teams like the thunder they would win the 2012 championship because it was simple, double team lebron and im sure you can coach every team in the nba and make them even better

[@DaMonstaMasta]

Awesome breakdown couldn't wait for it.

[@ryanspicer312]

Nice layup bro hahah

[@LenardSmith]

Thanks for that! That was great! Looking forward to part 2

[@TangoffalsUTD]

Great video, Coach Nick! Keep up the good work!

[@bballbreakdown]

Great idea, we'll keep adding to this.

[@Lyvetacus]

Another good breakdown Coach Nick!

[@bballbreakdown]

Unfortunately, no. It went when Phil Jackson left. BUT D'Antoni's offense does have some of these actions...

[@chitownmo]

basketball is a player's game. even phil stated that in One Love. most coaches overcoach a relatively simple game where only a few tactics are consistently effective while others are obsolete due to changing nature of game of the game's natural selection(such as the increased focus on ball handling to improve a player's ability to create their own shot(which is the most valuable skill to have in the game) and use of the 3 point shot).

[@bballbreakdown]

Wow - Part 2 is coming up now!

[@bballbreakdown]

Pinch post without question will get u a great shot. And Pick and roll

[@MrSirjam34]

During the first option after the pig cut, I would pop that ballside block guy to short corner at least. Beauty of this system is as long as you move and keep spacing it gives you freedom to play off each other.

[@SkylineJet]

I still watch you Coach Nick

[@bballbreakdown]

Cool. You won't see much - maybe Denver will run some of the parts. However, you might see Pinch Post run in some fashion by a few teams...

[@Noah3112]

Great job Coach! Looking forward to see the next part . .Greetings from Germany :)

[@Blhitelikesnba2k]

Thanks for this video Coach! You have amazing pedagogic skills. Keep up with the good work!

[@akifislam4464]

Great video! Will definitely integrate these tenets into our team sets. Thanks!

[@deomartinez77]

For those asking why the triangle failed to win a title against teams like Boston the one time, well the answer is simple. Player execution failure. Good systems help create opportunity, but at the end of the day if u miss shots, miss blocks or don't play solid defense you will always lose no matter how many chances you get to score.

[@captainkirrahe]

TFW you watch the 2013 breakdown of an offense based on a lot of mid range and post plays in 2020. So many mid range shots taken instead of the potential threes. Damn the game has changed.

[@chitownmo]

in the college game many programs do use various sets but the game is adapting more to the pro game year after year due to various schemes used by opposing defense that minimize off ball movement to create shots. even with the longer clock there are more PnRs and Iso executed than before. part of this is due to coaching restrictions set by the NCAA. the other is maximization of time by the staff with the players depending on what they are attempting to run.

[@lilfella2012]

it amazes me how things work, you know.. to watch basketball games and have no idea of what's going on or what play there running or what they're trying to setup and then watch it here and have it broken down into almost a complete science lol keep it up this stuff is very interesting!

[@bballbreakdown]

That's awesome. We should get to some more NBA2K too!

[@raygoldman9538]

Informative breakdown thanks my virtual coach!

[@deomartinez77]

I am going to favorite both these videos so i can really study them because the triangle offense always confused me before.

[@christianhoej2916]

Great vid and walk through. I would like you to focus on Rodman - limited offensive skills, but perfect in running these sets. Some of the passes he drops to the cutters are crisp.

[@chitownmo]

1. roster has 1 to several star caliber players and specialists that can feed of their presence. 2. strong character coach that the players mesh with. 3. commitment to team defense. most sets are common. to quote lionel hollins(segment in the NBA Playbook) the goal is to get the ball to your primary playmakers and let them create with relative time on the clock. athletic ability is not the primary ability but one of several necessary to cause defensive breakdowns. never said there is no strategy

[@JimboTheJuiceMan]

Awesome channel. Thanks coach Nick

[@bballbreakdown]

You need to keep him in a positive frame of mind. During season, it's not something you can change mechanically - so get him extra shots. Also, I have him shoot jump shots with his other hand for 10 minutes...

[@hplotrswpj933]

Illuminati offense

[@4-CQL]

Illuminati all day baby!

[@seandafny]

Lol nice

[@CharlPlayzRoblox]

nice video yet again coach nick

[@bballbreakdown]

Doc's doing just fine, though. But man, I'd love to see CP3 destroy out of this.

[@TheHarpo0n]

Love the breakdown, coach!

[@charlesamofordjuoh9940]

Can't wait to see knicks run this

[@jeffnamebk]

LOL

[@TheVictoryHawk]

still waiting?

[@nycnow811]

hahaha you guys are messed up!

[@thamonster100]

TheVictoryHawk nah

[@4-CQL]

Knicks are doing good now

[@chitownmo]

1. talent(usually 1-2 MVP caliber players with several talented players and/or multiple specialists. one anomaly are the 04 pistons but they had several all star caliber players(billups.hamilton.both wallaces.even prince was considered fro the all star team that year by his play) with intense focus on team defense. 2. strong coaching presence that helps to create the team cohesion relative the team(multi year vets with the team that have a developed a mesh. spurs are a perfect example of this).

[@publicitytheory]

Thanks for the response! Precisely, flexible yet structured - able to adapt to the play on the floor but structured enough for there not to be that awkward stagnation in an offense when adjusting, wasting valuable seconds, one of the biggest issues in basketball (at the level I played, at least). I've just followed you on Twitter, but I don't use it much. You should get on Facebook, even if it's just reposts from Twitter. I'd like, share, etc :).

[@nguyentran378]

i think you guys deserve more subscribers and views :)

[@pastorwademorris2492]

Great offense i simply love it. Thankful to D, Fish for running it again in New York

[@bballbreakdown]

We'll get to this at some point...

[@Cwakamvp]

It's a shame that more teams don't use this offense seeing how many great looks anyone can get out of it and the fact that this offense has proven win championships!

[@TheAdidaskicks23]

thanks a lot for the video. well done. still wonder coaches are reluctant to use this in the nba

[@up1kg]

Thank you for these breakdowns

[@videogamejo]

That's a beautiful offense.

[@deomartinez77]

Can't wait to see this system again in the NBA. That is if Phil Jackson makes it get run in NY

[@iLuvNikeBlazers]

He definitely will no doubt.

[@13WildGoose]

Sounds like you'll be getting to see some form of triangle offense in Golden State next year.

[@jayman4581]

13WildGoose well....

[@rakhunuhepptaylor2135]

the mainstars did not give it a chance, Carmel Anthony once sat Porzigis down and reportablely got on his case for publically supporting the use of the triangle on the Knicks. Coach who does this channel looked at what was happening when the Knicks ran the triangle offense and he was LOAFING through the plays. it actually worked better when he and Derrick Rose were on the bench. his first NBA coach Jeff Bzdelick , the same one who would not return to the Rockets to help them with their defense as he did the year prior, as long as Carmelo was on the team, stated the summer after his rookie year that Carmelo Anthony had deficiency in his ability to move without the basketball. the next season in the middle of the season he was let go. apparently he has never learned how to move without the ball proficiently throughout his career . the same can be said of his defensive prowess was underdeveloped throughout his career as well but that is an aside. the fact is every team runs it , albeit not exclusively like the Phil Jackson Bulls.

[@carlosmatos9848]

Carmelo made every team worse, lol

[@cgswindles576]

from watching the bulls, i've seen the option for when the guy gets the ball on the free throw line from the post and the backdoor cut isnt there. the corner that went to the wing gets a dribble hand off from the free throw line and the free throw line guy goes to screen for the corner for the skip pass option.

[@bballbreakdown]

Awesome! If you don't follow me on twitter, then you've missed quite a few rants about this subject. I think the Triangle would work perfectly for every team, primarily because it's that flexible. But people point to Rambis (who ran it 20% of time) and say it doesn't work. UGH

[@starkk19]

Coach, you have to breakdown that Lakers and Clips game. even as a laker fan, that was a surprise.

[@Justlistenflows]

Yep. The amount of times a guy passes and the stands still. Such an offense killer

[@karkitliu9951]

Coach Nick always make great videos! Anyway if possible in the next video, will you be able to also explain why such a greatly designed offense is no longer popular in the league? I remember reading about some GMs doesn't like it, but why? Too difficult to implement? Too organized that it cannot let individual players stands out (this may sound crazy consider MJ and Kobe) and sell tickets?

[@bballbreakdown]

I'll be releasing a breakdown in response to the idiots that say it doesn't work. So stay tuned...

[@DShaker24]

Background music : Equalizers feat. Illaman - The Illness (around 4:30 is what you are looking for).