New York Knicks: Isaiah Whitehead Excels in Triangle Offense

The triangle offense isn’t going anywhere. The New York Knicks worked out Seton Hall guard Isaiah Whitehead and drilled him on running the offensive system.

Isaiah Whitehead during a NCAA tournament game against Gonzaga.

Mar 17, 2016; Denver , CO, USA; Seton Hall Pirates guard Isaiah Whitehead (15) in the first half during Seton Hall vs Gonzaga in the first round of the 2016 NCAA Tournament at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

For New York Knicks fans there’s good news and bad news.

Here’s the positivity.

According to Mike Grimala, who contributed to SNY.tv’s Zagsblog, guard Isaiah Whitehead spent significant time learning the ins and outs of the triangle offense. Eventually, he grasped the concept and felt comfortable with the setup:

“More than half of it was triangle offense,” Whitehead said to Grimala. “I’ve never run anything like that. It was a lot to pick up, but once I got the hang of it I really excelled at it.”

Whitehead pinpointed Knicks head coach Jeff Hornacek as an instrumental voice in teaching the offense in his workout in front in front of team president Phil Jackson and assistant general manager Allan Houston.

“I think I did pretty well for my first time running the triangle,” Whitehead said. “Coach Hornacek showed me a few things that really helped. It was a good workout. They really like me as a player, so that’s a blessing.”

Whitehead’s testimony paints a complex but digestible concept of Jackson’s beloved offensive system. He didn’t seem to have a major problem running the offense with a little coaching and repetition.

Is he the right point guard for the Knicks?

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Well, here’s some negativity to balance the bright side. The Knicks don’t have a draft pick to target the projected second-round prospect. Jackson can execute a trade to acquire a pick, but does he value Whitehead enough to make the move?

The Seton Hall guard views the draft process with a realistic approach. He knows there’s competition to impress organizations.

“Every team says they like me, but at the end of the day, are they going to pick me? Everybody can tell you that they like you, but they can always like someone else better,” said Whitehead to Grimala.

The ball rests in Jackson’s court. Does he like Whitehead enough to target him in June? Will he make another shrewd draft-day trade similar to the previous year, which netted Jerian Grant in the first round?

Whitehead displayed multiple traits that coincide with Hornacek’s description of an ideal player. He showed the ability to shoot from distance, logging 2.4 three-pointers per game and put in maximum effort on the defensive end in his sophomore year.

More ny sports: New York Knicks: Jeff Hornacek’s Past Will Influence Roster

Despite Hornacek’s prior affinity for stockpiling point guards, Whitehead seems like a less-polished version of Grant. In his introductory conference, the Knicks head coach spoke about bringing in a mesh between guards Jose Calderon and Grant. The Seton Hall guard doesn’t fulfill that need.

Though, at 6’4”, 210 pounds with the propensity to score, the Knicks could pencil Whitehead in as a combo guard off the bench alongside Langston Galloway.

With Grant similar in size and skill set to Whitehead, it’s hard envisioning Jackson going all out for a draft pick to acquire the Seton Hall guard. Nonetheless, his confidence within the triangle places him in solid contention to join the backcourt rotation.

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