The New York Knicks have continued to go back and forth with the triangle offense throughout the season. There were reports the players didn’t like the offense to start the season, then Derrick Rose asked the media if he had a choice to run it. Two weeks after, Phil Jackson said he wanted to keep the system in place. Finally, head coach, Jeff Hornacek, said he believes the triangle could bring free agents to New York.
Ian Begley of ESPN reported that the New York Knicks players are unhappy with the system, though. The players don’t believe the offense leads to an efficient offense.
“These players often point to the amount of midrange shots the offense produces (the Knicks lead the league in midrange attempts, per NBA.com) and the tight spacing, which makes it difficult to drive. They also question the amount of contested shots taken (New York ranks in the top 10 in contested 2-point field goals, per NBA.com).”
Even opposing players are making fun of the triangle offense the Knicks run, saying they already know the plays the team is going to run, making it easy to play against.
“Some Knicks also feel that the offense is easy to defend. Opposing players have told the Knicks that they can predict where they’ll be when running the triangle, and one Eastern Conference coach last season told friends that defending the triangle was one of the easiest assignments in the league because of that.”
As long as Jeff Hornacek and Phil Jackson are in New York, it appears the triangle offense isn’t going anywhere, whether the players like it or not.
