By Sam Amico

MOVING AT A COMFORTABLE PACE

Did you know the Indiana Pacers were the youngest team to make the playoffs last season?

Pretty amazing, isn't it? That's especially the case when you think about how the Pacers came within a couple of baskets from eliminating the New Jersey Nets in the first round of the playoffs. And the Nets reached the Finals.

You also have to like what the Pacers have done this offseason to make themselves stronger.

You're probably thinking, "Wait a minute. What HAVE the Pacers done?"

The answer is ... (drumroll please) ... not a thing.

That's right, the Pacers have stood pat -- and you gotta like that. They didn't trade their best player to the West Coast for an unproven forward, they didn't ship their center across the state line for a pair of big men. They have simply decided to keep last season's team intact, and to try to improve from within.

And why not?

Not only were the Pacers the youngest team in the postseason, but a lot of people felt they would be the Beast of the East after a February trade with Chicago brought them center Brad Miller and forward Ron Artest.

But two things kept the Pacers from beating the Nets: 1) Overall inexperience in big games; and 2)

All the newness. In other words, Miller and Artest didn't seem to have enough time to mesh with their new teammates.

Anyway, when I look at the Central Division today, I look at the Pacers' roster and ask, "How can you possibly pick against these guys?"

Besides Miller and Artest, there's forward Jermaine O'Neal, who became one of the East's best big men last season after adding a soft shot to a powerful post-up game. There's point guard Jamal Tinsley, who played with heart, smarts, and flair in becoming one of the league's top rookies.

And, yes, there's Reggie Miller. Granted, Reggie will be 37 at the end of August, and his long-range shot ain't what it used to be -- but he's still Reggie.

By that, I mean he still has a tough, winning mentality, and he is still among the top 10 competitors in the NBA. Reggie practically wills the ball into the basket, and he knows something about playing with pride. He also knows something about being a Pacer, having been a one-team man since Indiana drafted him in 1987.

Finally, there's plenty of help off the bench, beginning with coach Isiah Thomas -- who did an underrated job last season, convincing the old to mesh with the new.

None of this is to say the Pacers are perfect.

They still need a backup for Tinsley, a steady hand to help the youngster out when the idea is staying cool under pressure.

They also must figure out what to do with Ron Mercer, who came over with Artest and Brad Miller in the Bulls deal. Mercer is a talented swingman, but he became The Forgotten Man and rarely received any meaningful minutes at season's end. Things won't get any bett r for Mercer this season, as athletic rookie shooting guard Fred Jones will be Reggie Miller's primary backup.

Still, the Pacers have plenty of time to make some minor moves -- but at least minor moves are all they need to make.

Big moves? Those are for the other guys. As the Pacers seem to realize, the only thing better than being young is being young and pretty good.

SPEAKING OF VETERAN POINT MEN

Coach Pat Riley told the Miami Herald that the Miami Heat isn't close to re-signing veteran point guard Rod Strickland.

There have been rumors that Strickland may sign with the Indiana, and he would certainly be a good fit. But while I've always admired Strickland's toughness and drive, and while he's always been one of my favorite players to watch, in no way does he deserve more than the one-year deal Miami is offering.

Some of this may have to do with the fact that Strickland, 36, recently switched agents -- and is now represented by boxing promoter Rock Newman.

MORE HOT STUFF

Miami now has three young and talented small forward/shooting guard-types on the roster after having signed second-round pick Rasual Butler and undrafted free agent Luke Recker. The other rookie, of course, is Caron Butler, whom the Heaters selected with the No. 10 draft pick.

Rasual Butler played for four years at La Salle, and appears to be more polished than Caron Butler. In fact, it's my contention that we should forget all of this nonsense about Caron Butler being passed over by nine other teams, and how he's going to "make them pay," blah, blah, blah. I think Rasual is the Butler who's gonna it done in Miami next season (although Caron may be better in the long run). Rasual is an underrated ballhandler and shooter, and has a way of getting in the lane and making mid-range shots.

TALKIN' ATLANTA HAWKS

New Atlanta forward Glenn Robinson pointed something out at his press conference that practically made me fall out of my chair. Robinson -- the same man who`s gained a reputation for somewhat selfish play and sluggish defense -- led the Milwaukee Bucks with 97 steals last season!

Can you believe that?

I think it's a stat that proves the Hawks got, well, a steal. I also think that this move will be great for Robinson, who seemed to grow weary of Bucks coach George Karl and his constant badgering. While Atlanta's Lon Kruger can be feisty, he also has a soft side.

So this may turn into something that works out very well for Robinson and the Hawks.

LAMOND MURRAY FACTS, ER, FAX

In case you missed it, Cleveland forward Lamond Murray recently sent a fax to Cleveland-area newspapers in which he requested to be traded.

In the fax, Murray complained about how the Cavaliers didn't even carry his jersey in their team store. I'll be honest, that fact brought a tear to my eye. I thought, "Golly, poor fella. That sounds like something that would happen to me."

Of course, I eventually remembered that the last time I visited Gund Arena, I didn't even notice that there were no Lamond Murray jerseys. I'm not too sure anyone else did either, seeing as how Lamond is the only one who's complaining.

While on the topic of Murray, this e-mail comes from reader Dan Swanson:

"I had heard that the Cavs wanted to trade Murray to San Antonio for point guard Antonio Daniels, but that the Spurs wanted Chris Mihm instead. Now that Daniels has been traded to Portland, do you think the Cavs will still try to make the Murray-for-Daniels deal work?"

Dan, not if the Cavs read Daniels' comments in the San Antonio Express-News. When asked about the possibility of playing for the Cavs, he told the newspaper, "I'm no snowbird" and that the idea of living in Cleveland isn't real appealing to him.

TRAIL BLAZER BEAT

Point guard Jeff McInnins is another fine offseason addition for Portland, which apparently won't stop until it is three deep at every position.

Actually, Damon Stoudemire may have played his last game with the Trail Blazers (Minnesota reportedly has a strong interest in trading for him).

No matter what happens with Stoudemire, the Blazers are loaded, and I'm a firm believer that eventually, these millionaires in red and black are going to get it right -- and go a long way in the playoffs.

It may even be as soon as next season, as Maurice Cheeks is entering his second year coaching the team, and knows a lot more about what to expect.

LAKER LOWDOWN

A.J. Guyton was an extremely underrated signing by the Los Angeles Lakers.

I know what you're thinking. "It's A.J. Guyton, you moron! What has he ever done?"

The answer is not much, but he's still perfect for L.A. Guyton has great range on his shot, and is the type of guy who plays hard no matter how many (or few) minutes he receives off the bench.

Yes, the Lakers will be sporting a much younger backcourt, replacing Mitch Richmond and Lindsay Hunter with Guyton and rookie Kareem Rush. They also re-signed forward Devean George, which means ... well, try not to think about it.

I mean, as long as these guys have Shaquille O'Neal, does it really matter what anybody else does?

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

FROM STEVE FINAMORE

Q: What do you think of Marcus Taylor, the former Michigan State point guard who now plays for Minnesota?

A: Dear Steve, I agree with most of the scouts who scratch their heads and wonder why Taylor left school after his sophomore year. At the same time, I think he has loads of potential, and he reminds me a lot of Will Solomon, a second-round PG who stuck with Memphis last season (but is now looking for work).

FROM TYREESE LESTER

Q: Sam, any word on Orlando forward Horace Grant? Is he going to play another season? How about Patrick Ewing? I heard he might sign with Utah.

A: Dear Tyreese, Grant reportedly has told the Magic he will indeed be back for another season. As for the rumors about Ewing, I think it would be great if he signed with Utah. Could you imagine a lineup that featured John Stockton, Karl Malone, and Ewing? The only thing the Jazz would need is to sign another of my favorite oldies, forward Kevin Willis, and they could beat anyone in any 40-and-over league anywhere (or in the case of Malone, 39-and-over). In all honesty, let's hope Pat finally decides to gets into coaching.

FROM CRAIG RUDNICK

Q: Schleprock would do a better job of making decisions for the New York Knicks than general manager Scott Layden. What is wrong with this guy?

A: Dear Craig, all I know is Layden seemed fine when he was breathing the smog-free air of Salt Lake City. And I am extremely impressed that you know how to spell "Schleprock."

SAM'S SLAMS

You don't need me to tell you that forward Keon Clark was simply an awesome free-agent addition for Sacramento. Is it just me, or is the NBA slowly going back to its glory days, when the best teams had more than two stars? ... I also like what the Toronto Raptors have done this offseason. Like the Pacers, they've maintained a low profile, realizing they already have some nice players on the roster. Also, I think Vince Carter will have plenty of motivation after a disappointing 2001-02. ... Rodney Rogers to the Nets? Hey, the East is getting good! ... Now that the Spurs have cleared some salary cap space, look for them to try to sign veteran forward Charles Oakley. ... Is Matt Harpring the perfect Jazz, or what? ... What's the plural of Jazz? ... When Larry Bird presents Magic Johnson at Hall of Fame induction ceremonies in September, I guarantee one thing. I will cry.

GET READY FOR MY MAGAZINE!

You read that right, as I will be publishing the Amico Report 2002-03 Pro Basketball Preview this October.

Ordering information is coming next week!

The 40-page printer-friendly magazine will come directly to your e-mail inbox in PDF format -- and consist of NBA team-by-team previews, photos, trivia, draft information, a special report on the minor leagues, and my analysis of the upcoming season. There will also be a page on which readers will give their own thoughts and predictions.

The magazine is only $3.50 and will be delivered to you two weeks before the season begins. How's that for a bargain?

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HAVE A GREAT DAY!