Basketball: Lakers coach has tips for Kiwis

By PETER JESSUP

LA Lakers assistant coach Tex Winter will conduct a clinic for Kiwi national league coaches next week.

Winter, the designer of the triangle offence favoured by a majority of teams today, is in his seventies, has 55 years at pro or division one college level and eight NBA championship rings - six with Chicago during Michael Jordan's era and the back-up recent seasons with the Lakers.

Most New Zealand league coaches are expected to attend the clinic at Auckland's Youthtown on Wednesday.

Winter's trip is promoted by the NBA.

The American giant is keen to spread its influence here and to help New Zealand maintain the momentum gained from Olympic men's and women's exposure.

Tall Blacks coach Tab Baldwin is a firm believer in the triangle offence and has pursued it with the national team and his Auckland side.

Scoring is the focus of Winter's instruction - getting to the basket and shooting under pressure - which is something Auckland have struggled with this season.

The Tall Blacks, likewise, have to learn to score against taller and higher-rated sides as they build towards the September Goodwill Games.

Baldwin said he could not remember anything similar in terms of opportunity in his 14 years in New Zealand. He expected tangible gains across the league as a result of the clinic.

Auckland host North Harbour Kings in the national league this weekend. The Kings then host the Palmerston Jets on Sunday.

The main interest will centre on league leaders Waikato's visit to face third-placed Wellington, that game sure to be repeated in the finals in mid-August.