Longtime coach, triangle pioneer Tex Winter dies

Tex Winter, the innovative "Triangle Offense" pioneer who assisted Phil Jackson on NBA championship teams with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, has died. He was 96.

Kansas State said Winter died Wednesday in Manhattan.

"I learned so much from Coach Winter. He was a pioneer and a true student of the game," Michael Jordan said in a statement. "His triangle offense was a huge part of our six championships with the Bulls. He was a tireless worker. Tex was always focused on details and preparation and a great teacher. I was lucky to play for him. My condolences to his family."

Winter published "The Triple-Post Offense" in 1962 and teamed with Jackson to use the system to great success with Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Winter assisted Jackson on championship teams with the Bulls in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998, and the Lakers in 2000, 2001, 2002. He was a consultant with Los Angeles' 2009 title team, and the Lakers also won in 2010.

"Tex Winter was a basketball legend and perhaps the finest fundamental teacher in the history of our game," said Bulls President John Paxson, a former player under Winter. "He was an innovator who had high standards for how basketball should be played and approached every day. Those of us who were lucky enough to play for him will always respect his devotion to the game of basketball. His contributions to the Bulls organization will always be remembered."

Inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011, Winter spent more than six decades in coaching. He was 451-336 as a college head coach at Marquette (1951-53), Kansas State (1954-68), Washington (1969-72), Northwestern (1975-78) and Long Beach State (1978-83). He coached the Houston Rockets in 1972-74, going 51-78.

"[Wednesday] is a sad day for not only Kansas State University but also the entire basketball world with the passing of Coach Winter," Wildcats athletic director Gene Taylor said.

James is not expected to suit up for the Lakers when they take on the Warriors at SAP Center, according to an ESPN report.

The plan was apparently to have the 33-year-old James play in only one of Los Angeles' two preseason games against the Warriors. He started Wednesday night's game in Las Vegas against Golden State as new teammate Lonzo Ball made his first preseason appearance after knee surgery.

"I only know about Wednesday right now," James said Monday night. "I don't really look that far into the future."

James played 18 minutes through three quarters against the Warriors on Wednesday, recording 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists. Ball had four points, two rebounds and an assist in 19 minutes through three quarters and played extensively in the second half.