INDIANAPOLIS -- Isiah Thomas knows pressure. He knows high expectations, especially ones for big things like championship rings.

He was in that position numerous times while making clutch shots in a Detroit Pistons uniform. "Zeke" wasn't scared of the situation, in fact he relished the challenge and now calls it a "good thing." Do you remember that clutch playoff jumper against the Atlanta Hawks? How about the two NBA title rings with the "Bad Boys?"

	Isiah Thomas, right, must teach Indiana's kids like Fred Jones how to win.

The difference between those old glory years and now is this: Thomas doesn't have the ball in his hands anymore. Instead, he is in his third year as coach of the Indiana Pacers. The time for nurturing youngsters -- which includes three players who were drafted out of high school -- is over. The pressure is on Thomas to lead the Pacers on a run back to the Finals, and with a talented and deep roster, Thomas may have the required resources to come through in the clutch just like he did during his Pistons days.

"In life when you are under situations like this and you're trying to win the championship, pressure comes with trying to win the championship," Thomas said. "If the pressure is on, that means you've done a good enough job to get into a position where there is pressure. Now that there is pressure, you go out, perform and do your thing.

"You want to be in the pressure situations. You don't want to be in a position where everybody is saying, 'They may win 30 or 27 games.' You want them to say that this team is good enough and they may go all the way."

Thomas has felt pressure since becoming Indiana's coach in 2000.

Sure, Thomas is a Hoosier icon having played for beloved Indiana University under coach Bobby Knight. Even so, he still was replacing the most renowned Indiana native in sneakers on the sideline in NBA legend Larry Bird.

And sure, Thomas inherited a team that went to the NBA Finals the previous season. The problem, however, was that he didn't inherit the entire roster. Three key veterans were gone before he even roamed the sideline for the first time on the Conseco Fieldhouse floor. Starting center Rik Smits retired. Starting forward Dale Davis was traded. Point guard Mark Jackson was gone, too. The only key veterans remaining were Reggie Miller and Jalen Rose.

Enter Jermaine O'Neal, Al Harrington and Jonathan Bender. The future seemed bright for these young players, who at that time weren't old enough to buy a beer. O'Neal, Harrington and Bender were the future, but little was expected immediately.

With one of the youngest teams in the NBA and several key players gone, Thomas still managed to lead the Pacers to the playoffs in 2001. And despite losing the much improved Harrington to a knee injury early last season, having to depend on rookie point guard Jamaal Tinsley and dealing with the departure of Rose in a major mid-season trade with the Chicago Bulls, Indiana almost knocked off the eventual Eastern Conference champion New Jersey Nets in the first-round of the playoffs.

"When I first got here, they were saying we would be lucky to make the playoffs, and we made the playoffs," Thomas said. "Then last year, they said if everyone stays healthy we can make the playoffs. Well, people got injured, we made some trades and we still made the playoffs. You want to be in pressure. You want to be in a position where Phil Jackson, Pat Riley and those other (successful NBA) coaches have been. I don't want to be in a situation where there ain't no pressure."

Thomas definitely is getting what he is asking for as the Pacers have blossomed into a talented squad.

The Pacers are still youthful, but it's an experienced kind of youth in a mix with talented veterans. O'Neal was an All-Star last season. Reggie Miller remains one of the NBA's best outside shooters and all-time great clutch players. Tinsley has the potential to be one of the NBA's best point guards. Harrington, if healthy, seems poised for a breakthrough season at small forward. And center Brad Miller is a solid and strong center who often times quietly completes a game with sound statistics.

	“	We want to win, period. From day one, the intent was to rebuild the team and get back to a level where you can go back to the Finals and win, not necessarily just go back to the Finals. ”
		— Isiah Thomas

Then factor in a bench that is arguably the best in the league. Erick Strickland is a veteran backup point guard who played a strong role with the Boston Celtics last season. Shooting guard Ron Mercer, a scary offensive weapon off the bench, is capable of scoring 20 points on any given night. Small forward Ron Artest, one of the NBA's best defensive players, gives the club a tough, hustling presence. The 7-foot slashing and shooting Bender might finally be figuring things out after three quiet seasons. Rookie guard Fred Jones adds athleticism, inconsistent forward Austin Croshere is still considered a talent and Jeff Foster adds rebounding.

The Pacers now have the depth to be a major factor in the Eastern Conference for many years. With New Jersey, Boston, New Orleans, Detroit, Milwaukee, Toronto, Philadelphia, Orlando, Washington and Atlanta all capabe of being East title contenders, Thomas acknowledges that winning in the balanced East is far from easy. But even so, he is hoping for bigger things.

"We want to win, period," Thomas said. "From day one, the intent was to rebuild the team and get back to a level where you can go back to the Finals and win, not necessarily just go back to the Finals."

"We have a good team and we have to take the pressure off of Reggie and Jermaine, who have carried such a big load," Thomas added. "Some of the players are starting to lessen that load. So, we're more of a team than a two-headed approach. I don't think you can beat the (three-time defending NBA champion Los Angeles) Lakers with two good players. I think you need 12 good players to beat Shaq and Kobe. If you're just trying to find two guys to match up with their two guys, they'll keep beating you."

Thomas won't be able to take any shots for the Pacers. But as coach, he believes he has a shot to regain some greatness he once enjoyed in Motown as a player. The pressure is on, and the head coach welcomes it.

Marc J. Spears, who covers the Nuggets for the Denver Post, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.