Steve Kerr Explains Cultural Foundation Of Phil Jackson’s Triangle Offense

Golden State 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, who played under Jackson during the Chicago Bulls’ second three-peat, explained that the triangle wasn’t just a basketball system. It was a living embodiment of Jackson’s personal philosophy, rooted in authenticity, connection, and a unique cultural influence.

"He was so authentic, so genuinely interested in Native American spirituality. He grew up in South Dakota near an Indian reservation. Our film room, where we would watch film every day, was adorned with Native American art and history. He referred to us as his tribe."

"At the Bulls facility, his office was upstairs and the gym was downstairs. We'd all be shooting around pre-practice, and he'd come out onto the balcony and bang his drum, that was our signal to come up and watch tape." 

"When you're first there, you think, man, is this guy for real? But it quickly becomes apparent that this is how he lives his life."

"The first time you meditate with the Bulls back then, the new guy always opens his eyes like, what's going on? Everybody else settles in, the lights dim down, and the new guys are like, really, we're doing this? But he was ahead of his time for sure. The key to all of it was that it was authentic, genuine, and powerful."

"He was so smart and so dialed into what makes a team go. 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." 

"His feeling was that the ball movement connected the group, and that's why he wanted to run that offense. 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."

This authenticity extended directly into Jackson’s basketball philosophy. Unlike most coaches who designed offenses purely for efficiency or to maximize star talent, Jackson’s triangle offense was deliberately crafted to foster unity. 

The triangle ensured that all five players touched the ball on nearly every possession. To Jackson, this ball movement wasn’t just a tactical advantage. It was a means of connecting the group on a deeper level.

By ensuring every player was engaged offensively, Jackson cultivated trust, mutual respect, and a sense of shared purpose. That cultural cohesion was as integral to the Bulls’ dominance as the talent of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman.

In an era where analytics and isolation-heavy offenses dominate, Kerr’s reflection serves as a reminder that at its core, basketball is still a team game and that sometimes, the greatest systems are built not just on strategy, but on culture.