We just don't have anybody outside of Reef that can beat their man off the dribble AND finish at the rim. The defense can expect a kick out and it was glaring last night.
I agree with all of your post except the above. We actually have 2 others who CAN even if they don't do it often.
AJ Brown and Elijah Elliott.
It's why I'm high on the idea of Elliott at PG next year, even if he hasn't blown the doors off statistically as a fr yet. He has great size for a PG. Great quickness. Can handle the ball. Can put in on the deck and get by people. And he's PLENTY athletic enough to finish around the rim.
What he lacks is assists (I think that comes with time and maturity) and outside shooting (which is why he would ideally be paired with a really good 3pt shooter at the 2 along with Brown at the 3).
AJ Brown, could be so much more than a catch and shoot 3pt guy who scores 12 a night. You saw flashes when Clayton was out and we basically had no other options. Multiple times he drove baseline and either got to the rim or got fouled (87% FT shooter, he should be trying to get there 10 times a night). And at 6'4 with decent hops and long arms he can elevate inside even if he isn't all that strong.
I think if you let Elliott break ppl down with the dribble and finish or kick to shooters (SG + Brown + Hadaway). Combined with a big who can post up and create easy buckets or post-post passes with Hadaway, or draw defense and kick to shooters. Then add AJB being "the man" and both driving and shooting. That becomes such a more balanced and intimidating offense that can do it all.
This year is a lot of drive and get stuffed/tied up/stripped in the paint or just launch 3s and hope.
Reef may be the only guy on this years team with the skills and guts to try and carry us come March. I think Jeff knows it too and it might be part of the reason Clayton is slightly less motivated/thrilled/engaged recently.