Offense Is Being Shaped for Bryant

After playing 41 minutes in Sunday’s loss at Cleveland, Kobe Bryant told reporters Monday that he would quarterback Coach Frank Hamblen’s “overload” version of the triangle offense the remainder of the season.

What that means is anyone’s guess. But based on Bryant’s first game back from the injured list, expect No. 8 to get more than his share of chances to shoot the ball.

Bryant took 22 shots -- missing 15 -- against the Cavaliers despite playing on a right ankle that he said “was about 75%” and with his timing admittedly a little off.

Hamblen can only hope that Bryant does a better job of keeping his teammates involved as they adjust to a style of offense run under Phil Jackson the previous five seasons.

“We’re adding some [triangle principles] every day, and the guys are getting more comfortable with it,” Hamblen said.

“We still have some of the stuff that Rudy [Tomjanovich] has, of course. The triangle/overload is complex, and we’re putting it in without benefit of a training camp. But I have some good teachers with guys who have gone through it, helping with it.”

Hamblen may include Slava Medvedenko, Brian Cook and Luke Walton on his list of teachers, but it’s clear that on the floor, Bryant calls the shots. No pun intended.

“He’s the leader of our team, and everybody knows that he’s very vocal,” Hamblen said of Bryant, who will play his second game since returning from the injury tonight against Utah at Staples Center. “He’s just helping our guys through it.”

The Lakers have to find a way to get consistent production from Chucky Atkins with Bryant in the lineup. In the 14 games when Bryant was out, the point guard averaged 18.6 points and 6.7 assists. On Sunday, Atkins finished with 11 points and four assists.

Lamar Odom said that once the Lakers get more familiar with Hamblen’s triangle/overload offense, the entire team will benefit.

“The triangle kind of gives everybody equal opportunity where you can attack from anywhere on the court,” he said. “You don’t always have to call a play. In this league, when you call a play, the other team knows what you’re going to run, so they have a jump on you. In the triangle, you have to use your instincts and basketball knowledge.”

*

In seven games this month, the Lakers have held an opponent under 100 points only once. And, five times, they have allowed a team to shoot better than its season average, including two games when the opponent shot 50% or higher.

“Over the last month or so, we’ve been on a slide defensively and we have to focus on that and give it a better effort,” Bryant said.

Added Odom: “We’re either going to get better or we’re going to be on the outside looking in on the playoffs.”

*

Bryant was surprised when a reporter asked him about being a possible witness in the Michael Jackson trial: “Am I really? I know him and I’ve had conversations with him and things like that.” ... Devean George, who has yet to play this season, had an MRI exam on his left knee. Results were inconclusive.... Walton, Magic Johnson and the Sparks’ Lisa Leslie will represent Los Angeles in the RadioShack Shooting Stars competition Saturday during the NBA All-Star weekend in Denver’s Pepsi Center.

*

TONIGHT

vs. Utah, 7:30, FSN West

Site -- Staples Center.

Radio -- XTRA (570), KWKW (1330).

Records -- Lakers 25-24, Jazz 17-34.

Record vs. Jazz -- 0-2.

Update -- The Lakers have had their problems against the Jazz this season, losing the two previous games by a combined 34 points. Carlos Boozer leads Utah in scoring (17.9 points) and rebounding (nine), while Andrei Kirilenko is averaging 14.7 points and 6.5 rebounds. The Lakers are 7-11 when Bryant has attempted more than 20 shots in a game.