New Orleans Pelicans

Pelicans coaches rave about big man Omer Asik

Published Jul. 10, 2015 2:31 p.m. ET

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New Orleans Pelicans center Omer Asik certainly has his detractors across the league. Criticism generally boils down to Asik's struggles on offense. The big man often looks as if he's playing with hands of stone when he catches a pass; too many New Orleans possessions end in a turnover as the ball bounces toward the baseline off of Asik.

But that focus on offense overshadows what Asik does so well: Rebounding and defense. The results of the former are self-evident; the latter, however, hasn't quite manifested into a solid Pelicans defense. Not yet, anyway. But Asik's personal defensive skills have allowed Anthony Davis to grow his own defensive game, patrolling the entire halfcourt on defense while Asik keeps the paint locked up.

Asik's new coaches said as much when they met with reporters on Thursday, the first official day of the new NBA season after the end of the July moratorium. Alvin Gentry called Asik one of the best rebounders in the league, according to Andrew Lopez of the Times-Picayune:

"Omer, per minute-play, he's one of the best rebounders in this league," Gentry said. "I think he's a really intelligent player. He's very good. He's a cerebral player from the standpoint of things happening defensively on that floor. I think that's really good. He gives us that size to bang and not have to double-team a bunch of the premier centers in this league. We're great to have him."

And Pelicans defensive assistant Darren Erman added that he expects Asik to have a great year for New Orleans:

"I watched a lot of film (on Asik)," Erman said. "He's great. I know a lot of people that have coached Omer. (Former Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau) is one of my best friends. (Former Bulls assistant coach) Ron Adams speaks really highly of him. (Former Bulls player Brian) Scalabrine loves him ... I think he'll have a great year for us."

(h/t Times-Picayune)

Photo Credit: Derick E. Hingle/USA TODAY Sports