L.A. Lakers Assistant Coach Tex Winter
Chat Transcript
Check out what L.A. Lakers assistant coach Tex Winter has to say about working with Phil Jackson, winning championships with L.A. and Chicago and his career in coaching.
Winter is in his 53rd season as a coach at the Division I collegiate or professional level, making it the longest tenure of any active coach at the college or professional level. He rejoined Lakers Coach Phil Jackson in June of '99 after spending 14 seasons with the Bulls where he was apart of their 6 national championships. Chat transcript below.
Tex Winter: Hello fans! This is Tex Winter, the assistant coach with the LA Lakers. I am glad to chat with you all and hope I can answer your questions!
Question: marty3: Hello Tex, what's the most challenging aspect of being an Assistant Coach in the NBA Today?
Tex Winter: For me, having been a head coach for 38-40 years, it is a little challenging not to be able to have complete control and call the shots. But having worked with Phil Jackson for years with the Bulls I am a little more accustomed to taking a back seat. That is the biggest challenge. In my case, I am the bad guy as an assistant. I let them know when they have made their mistakes and am vociferous about that. Phil takes a more laid back approach and I think that combination works for us.
Question: autmun1: Is it harder to coach in the spotlight of Los Angeles?
Tex Winter: Of course, Chicago was a big market with Michael and Scottie and the team there. I don't feel the spotlight is much bigger here. You are talking about one of the 2 biggest markets and the spotlight might be a bit brighter overall. You certainly don't want to disappoint the fans and at times you do.. and then the spotlight is a little brighter. But you try not to disappoint them.
Question: wintertime: How did you come up with the concept of the Triangle Offense and since it has proven to be so successful, why don't other teams employ it?
Tex Winter: That is a question I am asked a great deal. I played ball in the old ages and Sam Barry was my coach. We e played somewhat the same thing. It has evolved and it is what I knew. My first job was right out of USC and became KSU's assistant at 24 years old in 1947. I did a lot of experimenting as asst. coach there. I wrote the book and it is still the bible. The offense adjusts. The triangle is not a pro what the pro coaches understand. They don't have the experience with it. Often they haven't played the game themselves. Coaches have to teach what they know. They can't grab something out of the sky. The stick with what they know and that is what they should do.
Question: fliptick: You've obviously seen a number of players who didn't make it to superstardom for one reason or another. Is there any one that stands out as a "could have been" great?
Tex Winter: Well.. I have seen a number that I felt had the possibility to be NBA players, I don't know about great. It is a question of being in the right place and system at the right time. Much of it is luck. I have seen several that could have been better than they were. There are more good players.. not only good but bigger and stronger now. The competition is very tough and that is the biggest change. But I can't single out one person.
Question: wintertime: You've seen plenty of players come and go, who would you consider to be among the best natural talent you've seen?
Tex Winter: Well I have coached for .. this is my 54th year. 38-40 in Division one and the rest in pro ball. I would have to concur with most that the best all round talented player would be Michael Jordan. Along those lines of reflexes and skill and knowledge would be Scottie Pippen. Not just how he scores but how he makes everyone else better. What you need in the NBA is not just the superstars but the players that make people better. The complimentary players like Luc and Steve Kerr. Now its not just Kobe and Shaq but how well the others compliment those two.
Question: clipscomin: What position on the floor do you feel is absolutely essential to have strong talent at in order to be successful?
Tex Winter: Interestingly enough.. the way we play -- and let me make it clear it is not the triangle offense -- it is the execution that counts. The thing I have found is that the cream rises to the top. The player that best executes the plays that make the offense you use go is who will be the most important. Scottie and Michael in Chicago were ones who could execute this well. It has been throughout my career that different players are the high scorers! Shaq at 5 last year, Kobe now, Michael at the 2 and 3. The one who is the best overall talent and executes the system is what you need.
Question: ekim: Do you think Kobe has a chance to be as good as Jordan?
Tex Winter: I don't like to make comparisons.. especially with them. It isn't fair to Kobe or Michael. they have the reflexes, jumping ability, competitive spirit. It is early in Kobe's career to compare. But remember that it was 3-4 years for Michael to be known for leading the team and being the scorer he became. Kobe is a tremendous talent and if he takes care of himself and all he has a chance to be one of the finest to ever play the game.
Question: fliptick: You've been coaching and therefore teaching for quite some time. Which player has taught YOU the most?
Tex Winter: As I say.. this is my 54th year of coaching. I have coached longer than anyone in history at Div 1 or Pro ball.. The thing I feel is that it is a team game. From that standpoint I can't single out an individual. But many of the greats to come down the pike, West, Russell, Oscar Robertson.. they were playing in a different era and would have to change themselves somewhat physically to play today. I don't know if that answers the question or not but it is a team game and you learn from all the people on the team and the roles they all play.
Question: gregb: Many talk about the triangle offense and how successful it is, but what wins championships? Offense or Defense?
Tex Winter: In my mind I am amazed that some of the top coaches say that defense wins games. It is important but it is a full court game. You can't have a sound defense without a sound offense. If you aren't sound offensively you cannot play a good defense. You play both ends of the court and you better have a solid offense. Rebounding, not turning the ball over... if you aren't sound there, there is no way you can play defense.
Question: sybil: What could fans, in general, be better educated about regarding the game of basketball? Some just sit and scream "SHOOT!!" and think they're knowledgeable.
Tex Winter: The inventor said it best.. Basketball is an easy game to play but difficult to master. That is doubly true today. A lot of people can play it well individually. They are nurtured on the playgrounds and summer leagues and individually can be effective players. The important thing is that the individual needs to make the team effective. Does he make the team better with his execution. Individually you may have someone with great talent on the bench but is team play isn't as good and gets in the way. So fans need to be aware of people playing as a team.
Question: ekim: Lakers' defense looks awful this year. What is wrong comparing to last year, and is it gonna be ok?
Tex Winter: I feel that our defense might be suffering because our shot selection .. we don't keep the opponents on defense ourselves.. and we are putting up a shot too quickly. Guys aren't in position to hit the boards and all. That hurts us. It is apparent in some ways that we don't have the quickness some teams have. That has been seen against some faster individual players. If we don't have support behind them then we are in trouble. They drive in the hole or fan it out to someone else and make the shot. We'll be ok. We're not overly concerned at this point but we are giving attention to that.
Question: marty3: Hello Tex, who will be the Lakers toughest Competition in the playoffs this season?
Tex Winter: #1 you have to get IN the playoffs. We are probably ok there but there is no assurance. Until you establish your position there you have to worry about that. Like the Clippers the other night. They are playing well. Our concern is getting to the playoffs. The thing you do in the 82 game season is get the better position like we did last year and did there in Chicago. You're better with it and even then it is a real struggle.
Question: clipscomin: Tex, what do you think of those young players the Clippers have this season?
Tex Winter: I think they have a LOT of upside! They have some super talent and as they gain experience Gentry will do a good job with them. They are one of the best up and coming teams in the NBA. If they can keep them together! I think they have a chance to be competitive. They will be up and down and erratic, they are young. They will beat the good teams and could lose to a mediocre team. They need consistency. But that will come. They have a lot of upside.
Question: lakersrock: You have actually retired a couple of times and each time you are persuaded to come back to coaching, do you think you will ever be able to retire?
Tex Winter: That is a good question! I don't know that I have actually retired several times but I have contemplated and threatened it. I am still weighing that and it all depends on my health. Coaching professional ball is frustrating at times and I don't want to put myself in jeopardy. It would be hard for me to step down this year anyway.. but my health is my and my family's concern. It is a wait and see situation.
Question: stymie: What has been the biggest change in basketball over your coaching career? For the better... or for the worse...
Tex Winter: I think I answered that by saying the biggest chance was the number of outstanding players. I don't believe the NBA is diluted even with expansion. The players are stronger because they are on conditioning and weight programs, they are bigger, they are quicker.. just more physical ability. However, fundamentally they aren't as sound as they used to be. That needs to be stressed at the high school and summer league level. It is the sound fundamental execution that puts a team together.
Tex Winter: I hope I have answered some of your questions.. I know there are many questions you have asked. It has been a pleasure and I hope to have the chance to talk to you all again.
CBS SportsLine.com
January 9, 2001
Winter spent 14 seasons with the Bulls where he was apart of the 6 national championships. (Allsport)