Cone pays tribute to coach Winter

Tex Winter, center, is inducted as his son Chris Winter speaks on his behalf while as Phil Jackson looks on during the Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Symphony Hall on August 12, 2011 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Jim Rogash/Getty Images/AFP

Barangay Ginebra coach Tim Cone paid tribute to Tex Winter, who passed away Wednesday in Manhattan, Kansas, at age 96.

“I’m crushed after hearing about the passing of Tex Winter,” Cone, the PBA’s most successful coach with 21 titles, posted on his Twitter account (@manilacone). “Never understood why he would allow a coach like me to hang out and learn from him, but, wow, he really impacted my life. Will miss him forever.”

Cone has been a student of the triangle offense, a system Winter has been credited for innovating.

“His triangle offense was a huge part of our six championships with the Bulls,” Michael Jordan said in a statement e-mailed to the Chicago Tribune.

Former Lakers star Kobe Bryant called Winter a basketball genius.

“My mentor. I sat with Tex & watched every minute of every game during our 1st season together. He taught me how to study every detail,” Bryant posted on Twitter.

Winter assisted Jackson on championship teams with the Bulls in 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997 and 1998, and the Lakers in 2000, 2001, 2002. He was a consultant with Los Angeles’ 2009 title team, and the Lakers also won in 2010. —REPORTS FROM AP AND FRANCIS T.J. OCHOA