Ann Parr (Courtesy Photo)
The Golden State Warriors made history this year winning their 73rd regular season game to become the first team in NBA history to win that many games in a single season. The feat eclipses the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls mark of 72 wins, a team that featured current Warriors head coach Steve Kerr playing alongside Hall of Famer Michael Jordan.
Golden State head coach Steve Kerr played for the Chicago Bulls during the Phil Jackson years. It was there Kerr learned the intricacies of the famous Triangle Offense from its very creator, Fred “Tex” Winter, who was Jackson’s long-time assistant in Chicago and later with the Los Angeles Lakers. Running the Triangle, the Bulls and Lakers won a combined 11 NBA championships.
You won’t see the Warriors running the full-fledged Triangle, but you will notice many nuances of the offense Kerr has taken from being a long-time pupil of Winter, who at the age of 94, is assuredly keeping close watch on his student during the playoff run.
You will see the Triangle run as Tex drew it up with Bethany College in Lindsborg, as coach Clair Oleen is a steadfast disciple of the offense.
In her book, Coach Tex Winter: Triangle Basketball, celebrating its 10th anniversary since being released, author Ann Parr introduces readers to another side of Tex – the star athlete, family man, teacher, leader, and respected coach. Ann’s late husband, Jack, played for Tex at Kansas State University and experienced the life-changing, life-encouraging experience of having Tex Winter as a mentor and coach. Ann Parr’s personal perspective of this larger than life coach is beautifully depicted in her book honoring his legacy.
Ann Parr and Coach Clair Oleen will talk about Tex Winter and the Triangle on Saturday, May 7 at 3 p.m. at Ad Astra Books & Coffee House, 141 N. Santa Fe.
As great an innovator of X’s and O’s on the court, Tex Winter has left an indelible reputation as a friend, mentor, and confidant to the many he impacted from his days as coach at Kansas State to the superstars he coached on the NBA floor. The list is a who’s who among NBA players who bought in to his Triangle offense and reaped the championship rewards – the likes of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O’Neal.
For more information and to purchase Coach Tex Winter: Triangle Basketball, please visit www.coachtexwinter.com.