Derek Fisher wants Knicks to develop more understanding of triangle
New York Knicks head coach Derek Fisher stands with New York Knicks forward Amar'e Stoudemire against the Toronto Raptors in the second half of an NBA game at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Derek Fisher defended the Knicks' triangle offense again and said the players need to execute it better.
There have been reports of the players not liking the triangle. Team president Phil Jackson said last week there's been "some resistance to discipline, order and culture change."
In Sunday's overtime loss to Toronto, the Knicks ran more pick-and-rolls than they had all season. Afterward, Fisher said the Knicks didn't execute what they talked about before the overtime. He was asked whether they put in more sets at practice Monday.
"We're trying to add not more to the triangle, but just add more understanding of what we're trying to do offensively," Fisher said. "So we'll continue to do that when we have the days to do it.
"But you don't need sometimes a shiny new car to appreciate what you already have. We can't lose sight of that either. We have to be good at executing the things we do have and not worry so much always about what we don't have."
Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle pointed to Jackson's 11 championships and said the system works.
"Sounds to me like they're onto something good, and they're playing better basketball every game," Carlisle said. "I really like the job that he is doing coaching the team and they're going to continue to get better."
Shooter down
J.R. Smith missed his fourth straight game because of a small tear of his left plantar fascia, and Fisher said he may not play Thursday in Chicago.
"He's trending better, but still in some discomfort," Fisher said.
Buzzer beaters
Fisher danced around a question about whether he looks for players that fit the triangle or can he mold them. "I keep my fingers crossed and I'm assuming that I'll be here through April," Fisher said. "Then we can talk again about the people that may or may not be here. I'm going to stay focused on the guys that are here right now." . . . Former Knick Raymond Felton (sprained right ankle) has yet to play this season for Dallas.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
