As for comparisons with last season, I think it really helps to have a rim protector like Kerwin Smith in the paint. Makes it hard for teams to go inside-out or drive to the basket against the zone.
Last year's zone was a donut: nothing in the middle.
This year is more like a danish, with cream cheese filling.
Or a bearclaw, or maybe even one of those big ol' fried cinnamon rolls.
(Can you tell I haven't had breakfast yet??)