Success or failure in the Triangle depends more on attitude and maturity than on sheer talent.

Payton failed miserably with the Lakers because he wanted to post up, run low screen-and-rolls, or play one-on-one from the top. Considering that Payton had played many times against Phil Jackson's triangular teams in Chicago and L.A., it's incomprehensible that he really didn't know what he was getting himself into when he signed with the Lakers. Either Payton was ignorant, or else he firmly believed that Jackson would alter his offense to suit the Glove's own personal requirements.

The Triangle was in vogue when Jim Cleamons coached J-Kidd in Dallas, but Kidd wanted nothing to do with it. Indeed, giving the ball up without the remote possibility of being credited with an assist was beyond Kidd's concept of what his game was all about.

However, as a ringless, much slower 36-year-old, he would probably be more willing to operate the same geometric offense that he had rebelled against when he was a callow youth. Also, since passing is critical to the success of the Triangle, since Kidd's perimeter shooting has so dramatically improved over the years and since he's big and strong enough to play three positions, Kidd would be a natural.

LeBron is so powerful and so talented that he could be personally successful in virtually every offensive scheme — even the Cavs' current one in which he still mostly starts from a dead stop and massages he ball before he makes his move. But would he be willing to make facilitating passes to initiate offensive sequences? Pass, go through and frequently never touch the ball again? Be the focal point only in specific situations?

If he really values winning above his own aggrandizement, then LBJ would be almost as effective in the Triangle as Kobe is.

But if LeBron cares mainly about himself, then he just might wind up playing free-for-all offense next season in New York.

Travels with Charley

Part 2

If my playing career could be highly successful, it was also blighted by several humbling experiences: