Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, currently of the San Antonio Spurs, both recalled what pioneering coach Tex Winter preached about hustle.
In a tweet, Gasol shared his encounter with Winter, particularly during in his year wearing the purple and gold.
One of the brightest basketball minds that I’ve ever known.
I’ll always remember how he used to tell us, during my first years with the @Lakers, at halftime or after the game: “There’s no substitute for hustle”. Wise words. #RIPTexWinter pic.twitter.com/092lM3UqKL— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) October 11, 2018
Bryant, his good friend and teammate, replied to him and added more wise words from Winter.
Finish the message @paugasol “and if you do not hustle you will be substituted for” haha #classictex https://t.co/qH0l95it3S
— Kobe Bryant (@kobebryant) October 11, 2018
Winter passed away on Wednesday in Manhattan. He's known as the creator of the “triangle offense,” the system most effectively utilized by Phil Jackson during his title runs with the Chicago Bulls and the Lakers. He served as an assistant coach to Jackson during the Bulls and Lakers' dynasty in the 90's and early 2000's, respectively. Come the 2008-09 season, where the Lakers also won a title, Winter served as a consultant to the team.
Yet prior to his career in the NBA, Winter gained notoriety in the college ranks as the coach of Kansas State — a team he led to multiple National Championships. This is where he developed the dreaded triangle offense.
Bryant and Gasol are just among the many players who expressed their high regard for Winter. Michael Jordan, too, noted Winter's extreme attention to the smallest details. Winter also highlighted the importance of preparing well for each game.
Check out the throwback clip below to see a young Winter explaining the basics of the triangle offense:
Innovator of the "Triangle Offense", Tex Winter forever changed the game of basketball.#KStateMBB pic.twitter.com/kp8mO9I07J
— K-State Men's Basketball (@KStateMBB) October 11, 2018
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