Gary Payton Reveals Why He and Phil Jackson's Triangle Offense Just Didn't Click with the Lakers
2025-04-20
LeBron Wire
The 2003-04 Los Angeles Lakers season is widely considered a colossal disappointment, despite the star power of Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O'Neal (briefly), Gary Payton, and Karl Malone. While injuries and locker room tensions played a role, Gary Payton is now shedding light on a significant, often-overlooked factor: the team's struggles to implement Phil Jackson's famed triangle offense. In a recent interview, Payton candidly discussed his difficulties adapting to the system and how it ultimately hindered his performance and the team's overall success.
Payton, a notoriously aggressive and instinctual player, thrived in offenses that allowed him freedom and creativity. The triangle offense, however, demanded a more structured and pre-determined approach, often limiting individual expression. "It wasn't for me," Payton admitted. "I'm a basketball player. I play basketball. I gotta feel the game. I gotta be able to react. The triangle, it's too much thinking. You're thinking too much instead of playing."
The system required specific roles and rotations, and Payton, a Hall of Fame point guard accustomed to controlling the tempo and dictating the flow of the game, found himself constrained. He felt stifled by the prescribed plays and the limitations placed on his natural instincts. This clash between Payton’s playing style and Jackson’s system created friction and ultimately contributed to the team’s dysfunction.
Adding to the complexity was the already awkward dynamic between Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal, which was exacerbated by the triangle offense's rigid structure. The system, designed to distribute the ball and create opportunities for multiple players, didn't always align with Bryant's desire for control and O'Neal's need for consistent touches. Payton's struggles to adapt further compounded these issues, leading to a season riddled with frustration and unmet expectations.
Payton’s perspective offers a valuable insight into the challenges of implementing a complex offensive system, particularly when dealing with established stars with strong personalities and distinct playing styles. While Phil Jackson’s triangle offense brought tremendous success to the Chicago Bulls, its application with the Lakers proved to be far more problematic. It highlights the importance of not just having talent, but also ensuring that players and coaches are aligned in their philosophies and approaches to the game. The 2003-04 Lakers serve as a cautionary tale – a reminder that even a roster brimming with superstars can fall short when the pieces don’t fit, especially when a rigid system clashes with individual brilliance. Payton’s honesty provides a compelling explanation for a season that, for many Lakers fans, remains a source of lingering disappointment.
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