The Art of the Triangle Offense: What 90s Coaches Know That Modern Teams Forget

When you think of the 1990s and basketball greatness, one name stands above the rest: Michael Jordan. His iconic career with the Chicago Bulls isn’t just defined by his scoring prowess, but also by the brilliance of the system that helped him achieve six championships—the Triangle Offense. This offense, crafted by Sam Barry and refined by Phil Jackson, revolutionized basketball in the 90s. But more than just a strategy, it became an art form, creating beautiful team basketball that was both unselfish and deadly efficient.

As a coach from the 90s, you witnessed firsthand the power of the triangle offense in building a dynasty. Now, modern teams are often quick to dismiss or overlook this historic playbook in favor of faster-paced offenses or isolation-heavy ball screens. But the triangle offense still holds value and relevance today. So, how can coaches today adapt this timeless system to modern basketball? Let’s dive into what 90s coaches knew—and why modern teams might be forgetting some of its greatest lessons.

What Made the Triangle Offense So Special?

The triangle offense isn’t just a set of plays; it’s a mindset. Unlike traditional offenses that rely on one or two key players to create, the triangle offense empowers all five players on the court. At its core, it is a positionless offense designed to create spacing, constant movement, and intelligent decision-making.

Phil Jackson’s Bulls (and later the Lakers) proved that the triangle offense didn’t need a LeBron or Shaq to dominate. Instead, it was about creating an offense that revolved around player flow, ball movement, and reading the defense as a unit.

The Foundation: The Triangle Formation

At the heart of the offense is a simple yet effective alignment—hence the name “triangle offense.” The offensive players set up in a triangular shape:

• Player 1 (the point guard) starts at the top of the key, with the ball.

• Player 2 (the shooting guard) positions himself in the corner.

• Player 3 (the small forward) sets up in the low post.

• Player 4 (the power forward) is on the opposite wing, creating a balanced spacing.

• Player 5 (the center) occupies the low post, ready to either set screens, receive the ball, or cut to the basket.

The beauty of the triangle offense is that it gives players freedom within a structure. Players are not limited to specific roles. They are taught to read the defense and make decisions based on what they see. This was key to the Bulls’ dominance in the 90s—whether it was Jordan cutting to the basket, Pippen’s elite passing, or Kerr knocking down the clutch three, every player was a threat in the system.

Key Principles of the Triangle Offense (and How They Still Apply Today)

1. Spacing and Flow

In the triangle offense, spacing is essential. The offense is designed to maintain optimal spacing across the floor, keeping defenders guessing and preventing congestion. The spacing isn’t just horizontal; it’s vertical as well. Every player is spaced at precise points to give maximum room for movement and cutting.

Adaptation for Modern Teams:
Spacing remains one of the most critical components of modern basketball. Whether you're running a fast break or initiating a half-court offense, spacing allows your shooters to get clean looks and your ball handlers to drive with fewer defenders clogging the paint. Today’s teams, like the Warriors and the Rockets, emphasize spacing to allow for quick ball movement and efficient three-point shooting—principles that are already embedded in the triangle offense.

2. Off-Ball Movement

The triangle offense isn’t just about ball screens and pick-and-rolls. A crucial element of the offense is off-ball movement—the ability to cut, screen, and relocate when the ball is in someone else’s hands. Players constantly work to get open for an easy shot or cut to the basket.

Adaptation for Modern Teams:
In today’s game, off-ball movement is just as important as ball handling. Modern teams, especially those like the Warriors, thrive on players like Klay Thompson or Steph Curry who are always moving off the ball to get open for a shot. Integrating consistent cuts, screens, and backdoor moves into your offense, as the triangle offense taught, will make your team harder to defend against.

3. Reading the Defense

In the triangle offense, players are taught to read the defense and make decisions accordingly. If the defense collapses in the paint, players pass out to the open shooter. If a defender overplays, there’s always a cut to the basket. This requires basketball IQ and the ability to read the flow of the game quickly.

Adaptation for Modern Teams:
In today’s pace-and-space era, defenders are often forced to make decisions on the fly—should they hedge, switch, or fight through the screen? For a modern coach, teaching your players to read the defense as the triangle offense does will make your team more adaptable and unpredictable. The difference today is that the game moves faster, and players need to make decisions under pressure in less time.

4. Unselfish Play

The triangle offense thrives on unselfish ball movement. The idea is that no one player dominates the offense; it’s about team chemistry, with everyone contributing. Jordan and Pippen weren’t just stars—they were facilitators who bought into the concept of teamwork.

Adaptation for Modern Teams:
Unselfish basketball is still the key to success, even in today’s high-scoring, three-point-heavy game. Teams like the Miami Heat (with LeBron James) or Golden State Warriors (with Stephen Curry) embody this type of play, where players make the extra pass to get a better shot. The triangle offense, while slower-paced, lays the groundwork for team-first basketball that still applies in the modern NBA.

Why the Triangle Offense Works: Even Today

In an era where high-paced offenses often dominate, it’s easy to forget the value of a methodical, well-executed system like the triangle offense. Why does it still work? The answer lies in its simplicity. The offense doesn’t require a superstar or a high volume of plays. Instead, it focuses on spacing, player movement, and creating open shots for everyone on the court.

If modern teams adopt elements of the triangle offense, they can create better flow, team chemistry, and, ultimately, more scoring opportunities. It’s about making smarter decisions, keeping the defense guessing, and always staying unpredictable.

Conclusion: The Legacy of the Triangle Offense

For 90s coaches, the triangle offense wasn’t just a play—it was a philosophy that led to six NBA championships. For today’s coaches, revisiting this offense isn’t about replicating it in its entirety but understanding its core principles and adapting them for today’s faster game.

By embracing spacing, off-ball movement, reading defenses, and prioritizing unselfish play, the triangle offense still offers valuable lessons. So, as you build your playbook, don’t overlook the power of the triangle—it may just be the perfect way to unlock the potential of your team and develop a championship-caliber offense.