Functions well in highly structured environments, but not in a loose, jump-in-and-play-however environment? That'd be my guess for "driveway player."
Actually one level up from basement journalist is ground floor journalist - these are the cream of the crop. I hope you are not accusing that dude of being one of those.
Can someone explain to me why JC is reporting on this big man camp when he obviously didn't go himself? Is this common in reporting? Someone doing the work for you, while you sit on your ass and collect a paycheck?
He also doesn't visit the Blazers locker room or facilities. He's a columnist, which apparently means he functions off of "what he's told."
It's common in JC's reporting. That was well-acknowledged by the Blazers' front office a few months back.