SLAM DUNKS: When healthy, F-C Jermaine O'Neal (20.1 ppg, 9.3 rpg) is one of the 20 best players in the NBA. He has played just 95 games over the last two seasons but is a good bet for a double-double every night he takes the court. ... For a team that appeared to be stuck in neutral at times over the last two seasons, there at least is an infusion of new blood. Harrington (18.6, 6.9), who played for Indiana from 1998-2004, is back for a second go-round with the team. Daniels (10.2, 2.8 apg) had his minutes limited in the Mavericks' deep rotation but should be an integral part of the Pacers' lineup. Armstrong (2.1, 1.4) is nearing the end of the line in terms of basketball but still is a pesky defender in addition to being one of the premier on-court leaders in the league.

AIRBALLS: The Pacers got rid of enigmatic F Ron Artest last season, but a few headaches remain. G-F Stephen Jackson (16.4, 3.9 rpg) and G Jamaal Tinsley (9.3, 5.0 apg) both have plenty of talent, but each comes complete with baggage. Jackson was charged with felony criminal recklessness and a pair of misdemeanors for his actions at a strip club earlier this month. The oft-injured Tinsley and Daniels also were involved in the incident, but neither was charged. ... After using their 2005 first-round pick on F Danny Granger (7.5, 4.9 rpg), who was impressive as a rookie, the Pacers added Williams and White in this year's draft. Williams has limited experience and White is extremely raw, creating a distinct possibility that neither will be a major contributor this season. GUESSWORK: Indiana was solid defensively in 2005-06, but offense was a constant issue. The Pacers ranked 23rd in the league with 93.9 points per game and 24th with a .444 field-goal percentage. They also did not take good care of the ball, averaging 14.7 turnovers per contest - fifth-highest in the NBA. And that being said, the Pacers lost their best shooter in Stojakovic, their best athlete in Jones and a reliable performer in Johnson. Indiana did add capable scorers in Harrington and Daniels, but in a division that features several of the conference's top defensive teams, points may be hard to come by.

THINKING CAP: O'Neal has more than $18 million coming his way this season and the five-time All-Star is signed through 2010. In fact, most of the Pacers' top players are signed long-term. Harrington, Jackson, Daniels and Granger all have four more years remaining on their contracts, while Tinsley and Williams both are signed through 2011.

D-LEAGUE CANDIDATE: White

THE COACH SAYS: "We've just got to get more solid defensively. We've got the ability to do it. We have some new schemes we're using and there may be a little bit of an adjustment period still going on. But we've got to do better. The games are coming quickly now, so we don't have a lot of time to prepare."