MJ and Kobe (Offense)
Due to this, Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant never had a defined role in the triangle offense. Before Michael’s first retirement, he rotated between the roles of a bystander, cutter, isolation and low post player. For example, there were some possessions when Jordan would receive the ball on the wing or corner and immediately pass it to the player posting up.
After this happened, he would begin the process of cutting to the basketball in an attempt to get the ball back. If Mike completed his cut to the basket, he would attempt a layup, dunk or shoot a short jumper. On the other hand, if Jordan was unable to complete his cut to the basket, he fought through the crowd to get in position for a box out, or he would go to the perimeter in hopes of getting the ball back.
However, there were occasions when Mike would isolate his defender after the team got an offensive rebound or when the post player was forced to pass the ball out to the perimeter. When this happened, he would analyze his defender to determine the next course of action. If the defender decided to sag off of him, Mike would take the open jumper. But, if the defender played him tight, he attempted to drive towards the basket for a score, to draw a foul or attract a double team. However, when Jordan returned to the NBA, Phil Jackson decided that he was going to utilize him in the post more often.
For example, Jordan would jog to the mid to low block and post up to call for the basketball. Once this happened, Michael Jordan would usually attempt a turnaround or fadeaway jumper.
On the other hand, Phil Jackson made some slight changes to the role of shooting guard within the triangle offense when he joined the Lakers. Kobe Bryant did the majority of his cutting from the top of the key and the wing. If Kobe completed his cut to the basket, he would attempt a layup, dunk or shoot a short jumper.
However, if Bryant were unable to complete his cut to the basket, he would immediately go back out to the perimeter hoping to get the ball back.