Report: Los Angeles Lakers Legend Passes Away

Lakers Legend died at the age of 96, and the information was also confirmed in an official press release from the team. The triangle offense coach died on Wednesday afternoon.

The death of the Lakers legend shocked everyone in the world of basketball.

Here is the official press release from the Los Angeles Lakers and also a statement from Jeanie Buss.

“On behalf of the entire Lakers organization, I’d like to express our sadness at the passing of Tex Winter. Tex helped lead the team to four NBA Championships and was a mentor to many of our coaches and players. In addition to his numerous contributions to the game of basketball, Tex was a wonderful man and he will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Winter family,” said Lakers CEO and Controlling Owner Jeanie Buss.

“An innovator of the “triangle offense,” Winter joined the Lakers staff prior to the 1999-2000 campaign after spending 13 seasons with the Chicago Bulls, including eight under head coach Phil Jackson. Winter was a member of six championship teams in Chicago (1991-93, 1996-98) and four in Los Angeles (2000-02 and 2009),” the statement read.

Jackson was often associated with the triangle offense, but Tex innovated the scheme. Winter led the Kansas State to a huge success with the offense, and he was also named Coach of the Year in 1958. He had a really long career coaching from 1947 to 1983.

Michael Jordan starred in the team’s offense and brought the Bulls to six NBA titles, and Kobe Bryant won five NBA titles with the Lakers.

“Tex Winter was a basketball legend and perhaps the finest fundamental teacher in the history of our game. He was an innovator who had high standards for how basketball should be played and approached everyday. Those of us who were lucky enough to play for him will always respect his devotion to the game of basketball. His contributions to the Bulls organization will always be remembered,” John Paxson commented on the Lakers legend’s passing.