By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Kansas State University, where Winter first coached, said he died Wednesday in Manhattan, Kansas.
“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, who published “The Triple-Post Offense” in 1962 was hired as the head coach of the Houston Rockets for two seasons in 1971. He was hired as an assistant coach with Chicago in 1985 and with head coach Phil Jackson guided the Jordan-led Bulls to NBA titles in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998.
In 1999, Winter followed Jackson to Los Angeles, where the triangle offense became the cornerstone of a Lakers team that won three championships from 2000 to 2002. Winter was a consultant with Los Angeles’ 2009 title team, and the Lakers also won in 2010.