New York Knicks team president Phil Jackson thinks Carmelo Anthony is perfectly-suited for the “role that Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant played” in his beloved Triangle Offense, but cautions that Melo tends to be too much of a ball-stopper.
With a little more discipline, Jackson believes that Anthony can thrive in the Triangle.
From earlier: Phil says Melo can play an MJ or Kobe role in the triangle but tends to hold on to the ball too long: https://t.co/LKhzwH47J8
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) December 7, 2016
Anthony is averaging 23.5 points (on 43.6 percent shooting), six rebounds and 2.5 assists through the season’s first 21 games.
Per ESPN:
“Carmelo a lot of times wants to hold the ball longer than — we have a rule: If you hold a pass two seconds, you benefit the defense. So he has a little bit of a tendency to hold it for three, four, five seconds, and then everybody comes to a stop,” Jackson said in an interview with CBS Sports Network that aired Tuesday. “That is one of the things we work with. But he’s adjusted to [the triangle], he knows what he can do and he’s willing to see its success.”
Jackson’s comments were prompted by a question about whether Anthony can fit in the triangle offense. Jackson made it clear he believes Anthony can.
“He can play that role that Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant played,” Jackson said. “It’s a perfect spot for him to be in that isolated position on the weak side, because it’s an overload offense and there’s a weakside man that always has an advantage if the ball is swung.”
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