TNT analyst Shaquille O'Neal believes the New York Knicks will struggle in the triangle offense because they don't have two superstars. O'Neal, who played for Knicks president Phil Jackson in Los Angeles, indicated New York needs another star on the court with Carmelo Anthony to be successful in Jackson's system.
Jordan and Pippen. Shaq and Kobe. Carmelo and - who? For that reason, O'Neal doesn't think the Knicks will find success this season in the triangle offense.
"For the triangle to work, you need to have two superstars," O'Neal told NBC New York. "It's been proven over time. Look at what Phil needed to win his championships in Chicago. Then look what he had in L.A., with me and Kobe. You have to have two superstars playing in the triangle to win championships."
The Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire tandem failed, largely because of the latter's inability to stay healthy. Anthony carried the team on his shoulders last season, a role - despite O'Neals doubts - he believes will be lessened in the new system.
"It will be less pressure on me," Anthony said Oct. 4 after practice, via Newsday. "I can see that now in training camp. I feel that. I can see what we're able to do with the little bit of time we've been together this week. I see other guys' roles and how they're implemented into the system and what they're capable of doing. I think it'll be easier. It's still going to be a dogfight, but I think it'll be a little bit easier where everybody is not keying in and focusing on me every single time down the court."
"It is wide open for everybody," Anthony added. "It makes me a better player, makes everybody a better player, makes us smarter, makes us make the right decisions. I think we're going to surprise a lot of people with the way we play."
While Anthony sounds happy with the offense, he indicated he wants another big-name star playing beside him.
"For this season right now, we have what we have," he said. "We're going to deal with that. That was a big discussions with me and Phil talking about - that was one of my things. I didn't want to have to do it night in and night out. I wanted some nights when somebody else can pick up the load."
New York will have a huge chunk of salary cap space in the summer to make a splash in free agency, when names like Rajon Rondo, Paul Millsap and Greg Monroe could be available.
