When discussing the greatest head coaches in NBA history, two names inevitably make the list: Steve Kerr, for his ongoing legacy with the Golden State Warriors, and the legendary Phil Jackson, who led the Chicago Bulls during Michael Jordan’s reign. Kerr, who played under Jackson during Chicago’s second three-peat, recently reflected on the invaluable lessons he learned from the Hall of Fame coach.
Warriors head coach Steve Kerr recently offered a rare, in-depth look at the cultural foundation behind Phil Jackson’s famed triangle offense — and it had far less to do with X’s and O’s than most might think.
Appearing on The Glue Guys podcast, Kerr explained that the triangle wasn’t merely a NBA system. Instead, it was a living embodiment of Jackson’s personal philosophy, built on authenticity, connection, and a distinctive cultural influence that shaped every player’s role on the floor.
“He was so smart and so dialed into what makes a team go,” Kerr said. “He’s the only guy I’ve ever run into who built an offense based on a culture. The triangle offense was based on the fact that all five guys touched the ball on every possession.”
NBA legend Phil Jackson.
“His feeling was that the ball movement connected the group, and that’s why he wanted to run that offense,” Kerr added. “I’d never heard of that before, never made that connection before. I thought you just ran plays. But he was so advanced and brilliant — just an amazing coach.”
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That authenticity directly informed Jackson’s basketball philosophy. Unlike most coaches, who designed offenses purely for efficiency or to maximize star power, Jackson’s triangle offense was deliberately crafted to foster unity among his players.
The system ensured that all five players handled the ball on nearly every trip down the court. For Jackson, that ball movement wasn’t just a tactical advantage — it was a means of connecting the group on a deeper, more personal level.
By making sure everyone was involved offensively, Jackson cultivated trust, mutual respect, and a shared sense of purpose. That cultural cohesion proved just as essential to the Bulls’ dominance as the brilliance of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman.
