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Phil Jackson: Carmelo Anthony can thrive in triangle, but ‘ball can’t stop’

By Phil Watson

Mar 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) looks to pass during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Knicks defeated the Sixers 93-92. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) looks to pass during the second quarter against the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center. The Knicks defeated the Sixers 93-92. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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The on-going debate about how well or poorly New York Knicks All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony will fit into the team’s new triangle offense has dominated much of the offseason talk in the Big Apple, and president of basketball operations Phil Jackson took up the topic again on Wednesday.

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In a Q&A with the New York Post, Jackson said the triangle can make Anthony a better player.

"“It’ll give him opportunity to be a passer, a rebounder and probably easier spots to score from than he’s had before. I think. I hope that’s true for a lot of the players. …“And that’s where Carmelo’s gonna move forward this year in that situation—the ball can’t stop. The ball has to continually move. It moves or goes to the hoop on a shot or a drive or something like that. In our offense, that’s part of the process of getting players to play in that rhythm.”"

Jackson said it was a transition that Michael Jordan had to make with the Chicago Bulls when the triangle was installed.

"“Michael had to be able to share the ball, other people had to get shots, only so many shots available out there. And when someone’s taking 27 a game or something? 25 a game, that’s maybe a third of the shots. That can’t happen in basketball.”"

Jackson said he hasn’t visualized what it would be like to win a title in championship-starved New York, where the Knicks’ last title was 41 years ago in 1973 … when Jackson was a player on the team.

"“No. I have not. It hasn’t been that ultimate visualization. I’m still looking to see how this team’s going to operate, with great anticipation—how we’re gonna play our guards, how we’re gonna play our big men.“I’m encouraged by the dedication they’re showing pre-camp and their thirst and hunger to get out there on the basketball court and to start playing.“Derek’s [Fisher] gonna figure this out, that’s his goal as a coach. And I gotta let him do that on his own, because that’s his proving ground and I’ve got great confidence in his ability.”"

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