The Triangle Offense – PG Opposite Cut by Adam Spinella
As we left off, there were four main actions within the Triangle Offense pattern after the point guard hits and fills to the strong side corner. Those four passes are back to the PG in the corner, to the big man in the post, or to either player on the weak side. Each of those plays will be broken down in their own separate segment.
But what about when the ball goes to the strong side wing, but the point guard cuts to the opposite wing? The Triangle Offense does not change, nor do the four options attached to it. But instead of being run on that initial side through the player that is initially passed to, they run this play thru the second side. Some teams will call this Second Side, others will refer to it as PG Opposite. Either way, this is the normal motion of the Triangle Offense when run to the second side.
1 again hits 2 once he crosses the moment of truth and cuts down the lane. Instead of filling the strong side corner, 1 will curl either over or under 5 in the post and to the opposite corner. 2 reads this and has the next decision to make. His first look, as always in the Triangle Offense, is to hit 5 in the post. If 5 is not open, 3 will fill to the top of the key and 2 will pass to him.
As 3 gets it at the top of the key, 4 pops out to the wing and gets the pass from 3. 5, the post, follows the ball to the block and 2 fills to the weak-side pinch post.
As you can see, this maintains the Triangle shape, just on the opposite side. 1, 4 and 5 form the strong side triangle, while 3 and 2 are on the weak side.
This is why versatility is preached within the Triangle Offense and Lamar Odom and Scottie Pippen were ideal power forwards to play within this offense. The 4 can be either a post, a pinch post or a perimeter player. Their ability to master all positions will determine how much success they have in the offense. The 2 and the 3 both have to be able to play in the pinch post as well. As we see here, 2 flashes to that spot and he and 3 would then engage in the two-man game. Either wing can be in this spot; they must also be well-versed with how to act in the two-man game as the player with their back-to-the-basket.
Coach Adam Spinella is entering his first season as an Assistant Coach at Culver Academies in Culver, IN. Spinella spent the three years prior as a Student Assistant Coach at Division III Dickinson College. The Dickinson Men’s Team advanced to two NCAA Tournaments and accumulated an overall record of 59-26 (.694) during the three-year span, with the 2013-2014 season ending in the Division III Elite Eight. A native of Bow, New Hampshire, Spinella has a keen interest in X’s and O’s, particularly in professional basketball, and skill development.
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