The triangle offense continues to be a source of tension in New York, with sources suggesting to Ian Begley of ESPN.com that the Knicks’ return to the triangle is one reason some veteran players have started to lose faith in head coach Jeff Hornacek recently. Despite Hornacek’s recent insistence that the triangle could hold some appeal to free agents, there’s concern in some corners of the organization that it could do the opposite, driving free agents away from the Knicks, Begley reports.
As Begley outlines, some Knicks players feel that the triangle is too easy for opposing teams to defend, with opposing players suggesting that they can predict where players will be on the court. Pacers point guard Jeff Teague alluded to this recently, telling Marc Berman of The New York Post that a player like Derrick Rose is easier to contain when he’s playing in the triangle.
According to Begley, there’s also some concern that if Knicks president Phil Jackson leaves the team in two or three years, there would be no guarantee that the team’s new president would insist on the same system. That could complicate the development of young players like Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez, who would then have to learn a new offense after getting accustomed to the triangle.
Begley has several more Knicks-related items of interest to pass along, so let’s round up some of the highlights…
- After shopping Carmelo Anthony a little earlier this year, the Knicks “remain committed” to moving him this summer, per Begley. Anthony will still control his future, so he’d have to waive his no-trade clause to accommodate a deal. However, sources tell Begley that some members of the Clippers organization expressed confidence last month that they could acquire Carmelo in the offseason.
- Although the Knicks appeared at the trade deadline to be souring on the idea of keeping Derrick Rose long-term, the club hasn’t ruled out the possibility of re-signing him, says Begley. Some members of the organization view Jrue Holiday and Jeff Teague as potential free agent targets as well, as New York searches for an answer at point guard.
- The Knicks will almost certainly have a top-10 pick in this year’s draft, and according to Begley, they’ve been eyeing players such as French guard Frank Ntilikina and Kentucky sharpshooter Malik Monk.
- Team owner James Dolan publicly stated earlier in the year that he intends to exercise the Knicks’ half of the mutual option on Phil Jackson‘s contract this summer. Still, sources tell Begley that some people around Dolan have been urging him to consider making a change.
Phil , Melo and Rose are holding this franchise in hostage .
How is Rose holding the franchise in hostage? He’s a free agent at the end of the year. If the Knicks front office and coaching staff can’t figure out that Rose really isn’t that good and insist on offering him a long term deal, that’s their mistake. 2017 Derrick Rose doesn’t hold nearly as much power as 2013 Carmelo Anthony (his free agent year) did. The Knicks were desperate to hold onto him because they thought they could still compete with just him. The Knicks with Rose aren’t serious contenders and should be aiming to rebuild around KP. There are many other point guards out there who can offer skillsets similar to Rose that will likely be cheaper than what Rose will want. If anything, James Dolan is holding the franchise hostage because he refuses to try and rebuild.
The owners a jackass. That’s the problem
Rose has put up some good lines this year, and he’s stayed pretty healthy. It’s also only a one year deal. So, I’m not sure how he’s “holding them hostage.”
Carmelo needs to understand the the team doesn’t want him anymore, and as much as he loves playing there, the Knicks are much better off (and play better) without him.
Phil needs to let the triangle go. It was much more effective when there was no zone defense. Have to evolve.
Phil Jackson and James Dolan are the ones holding the franchise back. All Carmelo does is plays every game he can and tries his best to win. All the Carmelo hate gets on my nerves. If you pick almost any other player in league, you can dissect their game and point out their flaws. Carmelo puts the ball in the bucket consistently. Last time I checked, that’s valuable. I know his flaws. So many self proclaimed geniuses say the same stuff over and over. Talk about the real Knick problems. They are all in the front office.
The problem with Melo is the win column, not points per game. The Knicks can’t win with Melo on the roster unless he accepts a reduced role and puts the team first. He’s vastly overpaid for this same reason.
i dont think he needs a reduced role, just a slight change in his game. the thing that gets me is that people blame him as if they didnt know that thats the type of player that he is. the knicks should have done better at building around that skillset.
You give Melo more credit than he deserves. He’s been criticized for his 1-on-1 style of play for years, and he refuses to change. If the Knicks were winning, it wouldn’t be a problem. Ultimately, max contract players get paid to win, not just lead the team in scoring and shot attempts. At this point, Melo should be trying to move to a team for a shot at contention. Holding the Knicks hostage, a team that’s headed nowhere and sorely needs to rebuild, makes little sense.
Melo is a “me, me, me” player. He’s a ball hog, he doesn’t make anyone better, stalls the offense, and for however many points he put in he hoop, he gives them all back — and then some — on the other end of the court. He needs to understand that it’s his time, and take the first plane out of town.
make the knicks relevant make dolan sell his interest in the franchise.
if we bring back blake cp3 and jj, then get melo oh man… can’t wait. But i would not let blake walk to get melo
No way the Clips can acquire Melo in that scenario unless Blake, CP3, and JJ take paycuts. Austin Rivers and a collection of other role players isn’t enough for Melo.
unless Phil’s ego is making the decision to give him up for nothing. I feel Knicks are desperate enough to make a change to do it :p
Derrick Rose isnt the problem in the this equation. He was brought in to do what he does & that’s exactly what he’s been doing. Rose has never been a pass first guard and Phil Jackson knew that & 75% when rose passes players can’t hit the J. The system has been terrible since day one. Hornacek even told them in the beginning of the year he had no defensive scheme for them. Rose has averaged 18 points off being the 3rd option and the second can’t even stay healthy. Theres blame to be put every where but Rose no where near as much as Melo Phil and even KP
The Triangle loses Potential free agents, loses players interest, loses games and may eventually, even lose Porzingis.
The only thing the Triangle gains is Ping Pong Balls!!!
Thats not true. You are lying. The knicks record without melo is atrocious
Thats not true. You are lying. Melo draws so much attention from a defense. That opens up opportunity for other players
The triangle? Many systems in the NBA use a version of it and are successful.
The real issue is, the players don’t fit the system and two of the three “stars” are score first mentalities that don’t average assist or defend well.
In Phils past, Shaq, Kobe, Mike, Scotty were all two way stars that played hard on both ends of the floor.