I don't have the facts to back this up but I watched every game and off the top of my head the closest thing to JS driving into the lane I can think of was that time where he followed his shot for a nice put back aka didn't dribble into the lane
not really trying to argue, but he 'played smart' because he knew if he didn't he would be on the bench because I am sure the coaches made it clear he is not to dribble into the lane
and based off that I would say it is very safe to say this won't be a big part of his game next year and if it is I will be very glad to be wrong, but a 22/23 year old kid doesn't just all of the sudden learn how to dribble over the summer
In order ... about 'driving', he drove the lane a bunch of times, but it was in pre-conference games when JB was letting them play. I remember a couple of times he dribbled in and pulled up, and couple of others where he drove and dished to keita. HE CAN DO IT. No it wasn't often ... for reasons explained above and below.
Why didn't he drive more often? Well, you think it's his handle. I don't. He can dribble -- he just wasn't encouraged to drive in JB's offense. That role was KJ's -- who was told to get on the weak side and drive the lane and score or get to the line. JS was a bench player called upon for catch and shoot offense, usually against zones. He's a streaky shooter -- with a shaky confidence level. And at 6'8", defending guards are going to go at him just like they do any taller player. It'll be up to JS to adjust and protect the ball with his body -- which he can do.
Next year, KJ's gone. So ... we get to see if my analysis of JS's game is correct or not. He showed he can rebound the ball with his hops, despite the fact that he's not bulky or strong. This will get him some minutes backing up X-Mas at the 4 (CJ can also play here, as he did this past year). JS can also shoot long or mid-range shots and get into the lane, even though driving inside was not his main function last year. Those skills will get him back up minutes at the 3, or even the 2.
Either way, JS will play. And I doubt you will see him turn it over much, wherever he's plugged in.
To the question posed by this thread -- whether JS can play SG -- it should be pointed out that this will be his likely position if he ever makes it to the league. We're especially thin at guard -- 3 guys and no backup at the point. This may mean that if either BT or TC is not hitting, is injured or picks up fouls JS is asked to play 2 guard -- not ideal but certainly better than CJ or Grant. I think JS has better footspeed than any of the forwards and can definately shoot it. Would he get it picked if he started driving the lane ... maybe. But so did BT, DW and Scoop from time to time.
I think realoranage (above) is correct that CJ inherits KJ this year as the main guy driving the lane. But I still think JS has the capacity, and he may get the green light, to create his own shot more this year. He'll make some mistakes if he tries to score off the bounce -- but that's how you get build confidence and improve.
Imagine a lineup of MCW, JS, CJ, X-mas and DC2. Thats a LOOOONG rotation that can run and shoot it. So... anything's possible with matchups and versatility of our guys this year.
