Shaquille O'Neal has long history with the Triangle Offense used by Phil Jackson. He played eight NBA seasons and won three rings with the Zen Master and his triangle partner Kobe Bryant. Those were the golden years for the Lakers.
That's why the all-time great can discuss the triangle offense and its nature. Here's what Shaq had to say about its implementation in New York this year.
“For the triangle to work, you need to have two superstars," O’Neal said. “It’s been proven over time. Look at what Phil needed to win his championships in Chicago. Then look what he had in L.A., with me and Kobe. You have to have two superstars playing in the triangle to win championships.”
What Did Jackson Have In Chicago and L.A.?
Very simple. Jackson had two superstars on both of these teams. The final result? Eleven NBA championship rings.
Even when Kobe was left all alone in L.A. and Shaq won one title with Wade and the Miami Heat, the Lakers quickly brought in Pau Gasol, who was playing at the highest level of his career under Phil Jackson.
During the golden years of Chicago, Jackson had Pippen and Jordan, arguably the two best players in the league at the time. Remember how Pippen led a Jordan-less team to the Conference Semifinals? Yep, Scottie was actually that good, but overshadowed at times.
Will Jackson Be Able To Pull Off The Triangle Offense in NY?
It's true that Jackson only has Carmelo in New York, but he has brought Derek Fisher as a head coach and Kurt Rambis as an assistant. These two guys know their geometry when it comes to basketball playbooks.
Heck, he even signed D.J. Mbenga to show the youngsters how the triangle is done. There are chances that the Zen Master will pull it off again, but it is sure that the Triangle Offense needs one more star player, somewhere in the ranks of Carmelo Anthony.