Phil Jackson Says Carmelo Anthony Can Play Michael Jordan & Kobe Bryant Role in Triangle Offense

Phil Jackson didn’t create the triangle offense, but he famously used it during his time as a coach for the Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan, and coach for the Los Angeles Lakers with Kobe Bryant.  Jackson, however, has been critiqued on its use with the New York Knicks.  Some of the players have publicly spoken out that they don’t get the method, and fans have lamented that it isn’t right for the team.  Jackson remained dedicated to the technique, and improving the Knicks use of the infamous offense.  Jackson was asked if Carmelo Anthony can fit in the triangle, and the Knicks president made it clear that Melo can.

“Carmelo a lot of times wants to hold the ball longer than — we have a rule: If you hold a pass two seconds, you benefit the defense. So he has a little bit of a tendency to hold it for three, four, five seconds, and then everybody comes to a stop,” Jackson said in an interview with CBS Sports Network that aired Tuesday (via ESPN). “That is one of the things we work with. But he’s adjusted to [the triangle], he knows what he can do and he’s willing to see its success.”

“He can play that role that Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant played,” Jackson said. “It’s a perfect spot for him to be in that isolated position on the weak side, because it’s an overload offense and there’s a weakside man that always has an advantage if the ball is swung.”

Some may find it odd, funny or ironic that Jackson is saying Anthony can play the role Jordan and Bryant played but he has to work on being a ball hog, considering those two legends are known for that as well.  But, both Anthony and the Knicks are playing well so far this season, so that’s all that matters.

Anthony is averaging 23.5 points (43.6 percent shooting), six rebounds and 2.5 assists per game.  At 12-9, New York is three games over .500 for the first time since the 2012-13 season.