By Josh Budd

Did you know the 2001-2002 Pacers were the youngest team to make the play-offs, ever? It took the eventual Eastern Conference Champions all 5 games and 2 overtimes to beat them. If Al Harrington was healthy, they could have won the series. This year he is healthy and at 100% and I've heard nothing but good things about Jamaal Tinsley's (who played sparingly in the play-offs due to injuries) summer work outs with Harrington. He's shooting much better, lost weight and can dunk the ball again. With the two of them back this team could go a long way in the up coming season.

What did Donnie Walsh do to change the team over the summer? Exactly what he needed to do. Nothing, except upgrade the back up point guard to Erick Strickland, who is a better fit for the team than Ollie was. He's a good defender who gets lots of steals and he shoots the ball well from anywhere on the court. Plus, the addition of Fred Jones, who scouts say is like Vinne Johnson with the hops of Vince Carter. Other than that the team is basically the same, with one more year of experience and team chemistry. Reggie Miller is another year older but could easily play until he's 40. The guy is ageless.

Then there is the matter of Croshere. Many thought he would be traded this summer. As did I. But he makes to much money for teams to take that much salary for someone to come off the bench. They would have to view him as a starter to absorb that much money. Especially with the luxury tax over their head. I like Austin, but he's been kind of lazy since signing that contract. He's very erratic now and more concerned with scoring than doing all the little things like rebounding and playing defense that got him that dough in the first place. But reality is while he may not see any more playing time than last year, he's one injury away from being an important part of the team.

Indiana's defense was good last year, and it should definitely improve. It was the great one him self, 'Ol MJ, who proclaimed Al Harrington and Ron Artest as the toughest defenders he's faced since his return. And with both of them playing together this year, good luck to anyone trying to get a shot off from the back court.

This season is a contract year for nine of the Pacers. Jermaine O'neil, Reggie Miller, Ron Artest, Brad Miller, Jonathon Bender, Ron Mercer, Jeff Foster, Erick Strickland and Jamison Brewer. That's a lot of free agents. What do players do in the final year of their contracts? They bust their butts to show GMs they're worth a fat pay check. With nine players wanting to get paid, they will all be putting in extra hours at the gym and working twice as hard to improve as much as possible. What does this mean for Indiana? With Harrington back at full strength, Tinsley vastly improved, a rookie wanting to prove himself, nine players playing not only for the team and wins but for some green, this is going to one dangerous team. I predict 50 wins. Finishing 1-3 in the east and one hell of a playoff run. If they make the finals they probably won't get past the Kings or Lakers but with such a young core the window of opportunity is wide open for many years to come.