In the 10 seasons he played in the NBA, Craig Hodges enjoyed maximum success with the Chicago Bulls. Joining Michael Jordan and crew in 1988, he played backup to John Paxson. Known for his 3-point shooting, he provided an offensive boost at critical junctures of the game.
When Phil Jackson took up head coach responsibilities in 1989, there were doubts about Hodges adapting to the triangle offense system. Nonetheless, he managed to silence all his doubters, winning back-to-back championships with the Bulls in 1991 and 1992.
Appearing on Stacey King’s Gimme The Hot Sauce Podcast earlier this year, Hodges addressed whether he wished 3-point shooting had more emphasis during the triangle offense days.
“So, me shooting the basketball during that era, it was perfect for triangle because Tex and I both understood, coming from Long Beach, how much we utilize spacing and ball movement and player movement,” stated Hodges, not willing to change anything about his career.
“So it was one of those things where we understood how to play the game….I was sitting on the bench. To the majority of the people, not only on our bench, but the stadium knew that 90 percent of the time, it was going to be good, not because I could shoot so well, but because we had a system that we knew would give me an opportunity to shoot a wide-open three, so 90 percent of the shots I shot with the Bulls from 3-point line were wide-open jumpers,” revealed Hodges, who played four seasons in Chicago.
Triangle offense on the Bulls
This offensive strategy has been traced back to veteran coach Sam Barry. Building further upon it was Tex Winter, who served as an assistant coach to Phil Jackson. The core concepts of the offensive game plan included spacing and ball movement between teammates.
A system that consisted of a sideline triangle, with the center at the low post, forward at the wing and guard at the corner. On the weak side of the court, a point guard and another forward were stationed to form the two-man game; its primary goal was to fill all five spots.
The Zen Master served as the biggest beneficiary of the triangle offense, paving the way for two legendary dynasties, with the Bulls and Lakers. Jackson guided all-time greats like MJ, Scottie Pippen, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant, combining for 11 NBA championships.
Craig’s 3-point resume
Among the early pioneers when it came to mastering the 3-point shot, Hodges was a career 40 percent shooter from behind the arc. A third-round pick in the 1982 draft, the San Diego Clippers selected him at No. 48. Nevertheless, he exceeded most expectations.
The league officially introduced the 3-point contest in the 1986 All-Star Game, with Hodges participating every year until 1993. He won the competition three straight times between 1990 and 1992 and holds the record for most unbroken shots at 19.
The ability to alter his game with respect to the triangle offense earned Hodges two championships. While there were apprehensions about a 3-point shooter fitting into the Coach Jackson system, the triangle offense, on the other hand, turned out to be shooter-friendly.