The triangle offense — one of the most used and effective weapons in Phil Jackson’s arsenal. The first reported attempt by the former Chicago Bulls Head coach was in season 1989-90 against Detroit to subvert the Pistons’ Jordan Rules strategy. It may have failed to work for Mike initially, but Gilbert Arenas believes there is one NBA star who can benefit from the triangle offense. One who has often been called the next Michael Jordan.

The player in discussion, of course, is Minnesota Timberwolves guard and Jordan ‘regen’ Anthony Edwards. “Ant man would do crazy [with triangle offense] cause you can put him in the post a lot,” Gil said. The suggestion makes sense, considering Ant Man’s playing style resembles that of Michael Jordan.

The triple post defense may have initially failed Mike, but the subsequent 6 NBA championships are a testament to the wonders it could do with the right implementation. However, Arenas believes the offense “hurt” MJ more than it helped him. He emphasized how Michael Jordan was the type of player who could’ve got in on his own. According to the ex-Wizards star, the triangle was to ensure that everyone else in the team played the right way.

“Eventually the ball going to find him and everybody touches the ball. Because if not, no one’s going to touch it,” Arenas highlights.

And this certainly is not something new. Even Jackson had admitted the triangle was never designed for superstars who could find ways to score no matter the system in implementation. Phil emphasized it was meant to give players on the team an opportunity to create their own shots, incapable of it or devoid of an opportunity otherwise.

“It also gives every player a vital role in the offense, whether they end up shooting or not,” he further said in his book Eleven Rings: The Soul of Success. For that, MJ, in his perspective states, the triangle offense would not be efficient without players like him and Kobe Bryant.

Michael Jordan’s take on the famous triangle offense

During a 2007 interview with GQ, His Airness mentioned how the triangle kept everybody occupied doing their roles. And simultaneously it gave MJ opportunities in the post. “When I involved John Paxson or Steve Kerr, it was built on the triangle, but it was also built on my mentality to say, ‘Hey, I’m going to see if this guy can knock down the big shot,” Mike said.

The 6x NBA champ agreed he would probably not pass if it was Game 7. Further adding that you need someone in the NBA who can break away from the system. And he and Black Mamba were without an ounce of doubt two such players.

But Mike didn’t mean just him or Kobe, but players like them. “The triangle won’t work without a Michael Jordan or a Kobe Bryant,” he said. And as long as he means the offense works for players like him, it should work for Anthony Edwards. Without any disrespect to MJ’s legacy, the similarities in the playing style and Edward’s proficiency inside the post are undeniable.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.