Phil Jackson: Coach's Philosophies Would Be Great Change for Los Angeles Lakers

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The triangle offense.

Sophisticated, beautifully designed, a work of art.

The triangle offense can create hundreds of shot opportunities within a 24-second shot clock by using movement, spacing and players' diverse offensive abilities. 

Phil Jackson perfected the triangle offense, developed and created by Hall of Fame coach Sam Berry. With the Los Angeles Lakers firing Mike Brown yesterday, there's a possibility that Jackson could return to Los Angeles with his vaunted triangle offense.

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The Princeton offense Brown used was great for high school or the collegiate level with teams with little talent. However, on a team with three Hall of Famers and other world-class players, it just didn't work.

Jackson's philosophies might not win the Lakers a title, because it doesn't necessarily help the deficiencies on the bench or in the backcourt, but it would make the Lakers much more viable this season.

Something we all noticed under Brown: Los Angeles looked lost on the floor offensively. Maybe that was the kinks of getting a slightly offensively-challenged big man to clog the paint or a point guard who needed the ball in his hand to thrive, but nevertheless, the strategies didn't appear to work. People were standing around, looking lost and unsure of what to do. It was a mess.

With the triangle offense, players would know exactly what to do in the system. Bryant and Pau Gasol flourished in the system, and they would be the leaders of the group in teaching some of the others who haven't played in it. 

One of the biggest strengths of the system is having five players who can score the ball in multiple ways. Obviously, with Dwight Howard on the floor, this could become a problem. Andrew Bynum is a much better fit in the system than Howard, but there are still several ways he could be effective in the offense, including using him in a "pinch post" role. 

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Guys like Antawn Jamison—who struggled offensively this year under Brown—Jodie Meeks and Steve Blake would flourish in the system because of what they can do offensively.

Jamison is a sneaky player who possesses movement on the block. Also, he can drive to the cup, and he can hit the jumper. And Jamison is capable of working from the post, which is something you see in the system. Think of Lamar Odom and the success he had in that role. 

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Meeks and Blake would benefit greatly from inside-out action when Howard and Gasol receive double teams and could also thrive with their off-ball movement. 

When Steve Nash returns, he would at least see more of the ball because of the constant movement and spacing that opens up driving lanes and open opportunities. So, while he still wouldn't be in his prototypical offense, he would be much better suited in the triangle offense. 

If Jackson were to return to Los Angeles, the system would need time to work. It isn't something players can learn overnight. However, the Lakers would be able to reach their highest potential before the end of the season.

Nevertheless, getting far away from the Princeton offense is the best way to go regardless of who takes over. In this situation, any change is a good one. 

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