Addio al più grande, Tex Winter

Tex Winter, l'inventore del Triangolo, leggendario coach dei Bulls e dei Lakers poi, sempre con Phil Jackson, una delle figure più importanti degli ultimi 40 anni del basket americano.

My mentor. I sat with Tex & watched every minute of every game during our 1st season together. He taught me how to study every detail. He was a bball genius in every sense of the word. I’ll miss him deeply. Thank you Tex. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. Rest In Peace.
KOBE BRYANT

Former coach Tex Winter, who pioneered the triangle offense that propelled the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers to multiple NBA championships, has died at the age of 96. Kansas State University, where Winter first coached, said he 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 emailed to the Chicago Tribune.  "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 began his coaching career as an assistant under Jack Gardner at Kansas State in 1947, before a two-year stint at Marquette, where he became the youngest coach in major college basketball at the age of 30. He later returned to Kansas State, where he served as head coach for 15 years and led the Wildcats to two Final Four appearances in six NCAA tournament trips.