Jackson blames lack of fundamentals for why triangle offense doesn't work

New York Knicks president Phil Jackson continues to defend the precious triangle offense against all critics.

Given that the Knicks are a putrid 49-115 under Jackson's watch, the team will opt for a different look other than the vaunted triangle offense. Newly hired head coach Jeff Hornacek will be permitted to mold New York's offense as he sees fit.

However, that does not mean the triangle offense has failed. Instead, Jackson blames a lack of fundamentals in today's game for its lack of success in recent years.

"The triangle is a different story," Jackson said on a recent podcast with Shaquille O'Neal, as relayed by Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News. "How do you teach a system that requires so many fundamental skills to players that really haven't been taught some of that basic stuff with footwork and passing and all those rudiment type of skills that are learned, that have been, that have changed over a few years?

"It's a different game," Jackson added.

The zen master famously ran the triangle offense to great success en route to capturing 11 titles. He has frequently pointed to his sack of jewelry when his favored system has come under question.

Related: Phil Jackson bashes triangle critics: 'Do they have 11 championships?'

However, it is often argued that Jackson's players - not the system - were the main reasons for his success. The triangle offense hasn't enjoyed much gain when all-time greats like Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O'Neal, and Kobe Bryant were absent.