Tex Winter Finally Gets the Hall Call

Widely acknowledged as one of the most influential minds in the history of basketball Tex Winter is finally getting his due. The OG architect of the triangle offense has long been championed by the likes of Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant for Hall of Fame enshrinement.

Long overdue, but well worth the wait, Winter is reportedly slated to enter the Naismith Smith Hall of Fame in August.

While you can’t give all of the credit to Winter for Phil Jackson’s success it goes without saying that a lot of what PJ has accomplished couldn’t have been done without the teachings of Winter. Same goes for all-time greats such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal.

Winter’s organic offense is one of the great gifts to the game. The revolutionary principles of the triangle offense have been instrumental is shaping the formulas necessary for success in the modern game.

Proving the value of Winter’s innovation, Jackson has won more titles than any other head coach in NBA history with varying rosters predicated on both perimeter and post play.

In Chicago Jackson and Winter proved a dynasty could be built without a dominant post player. Then in Los Angeles the same tandem reinvented the offense to create a system that would best benefit the dynamic talents of Kobe and Shaq. And while Winter’s health has precluded him from being involved with the current Laker dynasty his teachings are still very much on display night in and night out.

Much respect for Winter and all he’s done. It took long enough but thankfully the Naismith voters have made the right call.

Having a Basket Ball Hall of Fame without Tex Winter has been like having a Physics Hall of Fame without Albert Einstein.

While the YouTube era focuses on high flying highlights, the true hoops aficionado knows that basketball is as much a thinking man’s game as it is an athletic challenge. Luckily Winter will forever have a place in Springfield to reminder future generations of that.