Tracy McGrady Says LeBron James Could Have Been Unquestioned GOAT in Triangle Offense
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Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady believes LeBron James would leave no doubt in the greatest-of-all-time debate if the four-time NBA champion had grown up playing in Phil Jackson’s triangle offense.
Speaking on “The Arena,” McGrady said the system that powered Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant to a combined 11 titles would have unlocked every aspect of James’ skill set. “If Bron had been introduced to the triangle at an early age,” McGrady explained, “with his athleticism, speed and ability to read the floor, I don’t think there’s any question who the greatest player would be.”
The triangle, popularized by Jackson during the Chicago Bulls’ championship runs and later the Los Angeles Lakers’ five-title stretch, emphasizes spacing, off-ball movement and quick decision-making. McGrady argued that those principles align with James’ elite court vision and passing.
James, now 40, continues to put up All-Star numbers for the Lakers. On April 30, 2025, he led Los Angeles against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 5 of a first-round series at Crypto.com Arena, underscoring a longevity built on what teammates describe as a rigorous, year-round training regimen.
During the early 2000s, teams routinely clogged the lane with two traditional big men, limiting James’ driving angles. McGrady suggested that the triangle’s emphasis on mid-post touches and constant motion could have accelerated the development of James’ now-reliable jump shot and created clearer passing windows.
The GOAT discussion remains a flashpoint as James approaches the twilight of his career. Lakers icon Magic Johnson recently weighed in, siding with Jordan over James, a stance McGrady believes might have shifted had James spent his prime orchestrating Jackson’s famed offense.
Source: LakersNation.com
