re: Asik working to adjust to Pelicans

Yeah, it's hard to gather all of the terminology- particularly since two teams may play the same system and call it different things. I've heard what I think you are referring to as "sagging" on the pick/roll, but can't say with certainty that it's correct. For my money, the link below redirects to the best article I've read on P/R defense in the NBA. If you don't follow Eberhardt already, do so.. guy is an awesome source of info.

***just read the article I linked, and it may be called "zoning up," as you suggested.

LINK

ICE is the act of forcing the ball-handler away from the screener. I think almost every NBA team plays ICE vs. sideline P/R because it prevents middle penetration.. so it effectively isolates the ball on one side of the court. It really limits the ball-handler's options if done correctly.

I also don't know if it's called ICE on high P/R or whether that strategy is even employed. I also don't watch enough of the Bulls to see how Thibs does things over the course of a season. He has an excellent wing defender + two of the most talented defensive big men in the game (Gibson, Noah), so I guess it'd be hard to decipher whether it's his system or the players within it. I remember a "Hibbert vs. Noah" argument (I think Ethan Sherwood Strauss vs. Amin Elhassan), and Amin said for his money, Noah is the best because Noah can adapt to any system. Had never thought of it that way, but in my mind, Noah/Garnett have always been the best defensive comparisons for what Davis could be.

I also was shocked to see 32 3 pointers. Monty was talking about the importance of the 3 pointer in one of his recent interviews, so maybe he's emphasizing it more. He has definitely brought it up previously re: Tyreke, as we all know what happens when Tyreke plays next to a bunch of non-shooters.

I also think it'd be interesting to run an occasional blitz when Asik/Davis are in. Tyreke, though not that great of a defender, is pretty good at jumping into passing lanes. Jrue reads the game very well- love watching him through a defensive possession.. does a lot of little things so well. Salmons put up a really good DRAPM last year, but can't say I'm familiar enough with his defense to adequately back up any assertion.