Phil Jackson Thinks Too Many People Are Focusing on NY Knicks' Triangle Offense

Phil Jackson might want to ask J.R. Smith how he feels about untying another opponent's shoe, because the New York Knicks need to create a diversion—and quick.

The same topics of conversation (and criticism) that have surrounded the Knicks since Jackson took over as team president continue to dominate the New York news cycle, and the efficacy of the triangle offense is at the top of the list.

Even NBA commissioner Adam Silver has weighed in, per Frank Isola of the New York Daily News:

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Clearly, they’re still learning the triangle. I still don’t understand it, but they’re learning it. But that’s what the game is all about. You have a new coach, you have a new president of basketball operations in Phil Jackson; you have a couple new players on the team.

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The Knicks dropped to 2-6 on the year after falling to the Atlanta Hawks Monday in one of the team's ugliest performances to date. Before the loss, Jackson told Ian Begley of ESPNNewYork.com: 

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I wasn't so humored by the commissioner actually jumping in on top of that, too. He doesn't need to get in on that. There's enough focus on [the] triangle. It's not anything. It's a system. It's simple basketball. Just play the game. We're over the triangle; let's get to business and play the right way.

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It's understandable that Jackson would like to hear an end to the questions surrounding the triangle. New York's problems go much deeper than its less-than-stellar grasp of a new offensive system. There are talent issues on this roster, and there's an untested coach in Derek Fisher leading it while dealing with the growing pains of a new job.

Perhaps he'd prefer to hear comments on those topics.

Or maybe Jackson would rather the critics focused on New York's defensive issues.

As justifiable as Jackson's frustration is, he must have seen this coming. For one thing, this is New York we're talking about. Of course there was going to be hyper-intense scrutiny—no matter how the Knicks performed.

Moreover, Jackson's pet offense is viewed as a cure-all. And as long as the Knicks continue to bumble around in the triangle (they rank 21st in the league in efficiency, per NBA.com), the Zen Master will continue to endure jabs at his system.

The Knicks' next six games come against opponents that missed the playoffs a year ago, and four of them will be played at home. There won't be a better opportunity in the early season to iron out offensive kinks than the one New York will get over the next couple of weeks.

Phil's right about one thing, though; the focus in New York needs to be on playing the right way.

So much for that.