PACERS TRAINING CAMP GUIDE
	Location Xavier University; Cincinnati, Ohio. Preseason schedule (all times ET) Oct. 9: New Orleans, 8 p.m. Oct. 10: New Orleans, 8 p.m. Oct. 12: Atlanta, 8 p.m. Oct. 15: Denver, 8 p.m. Oct. 18: Minnesota, 8 p.m. Oct. 19: at Atlanta, 8:30 p.m. Oct. 23: at Denver, 9 p.m. Oct. 25: at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Team roster | Depth chart | Offseason moves

Camp question
Entering Isiah Thomas' third year at the helm, the Pacers are still searching for an identity. Blame that in part on the trade last season that brought in Brad Miller, Ron Artest and Ron Mercer for Jalen Rose. And a little more blame goes to the injury that cost Al Harrington half a season. There are questions regarding the leadership on the court and the direction Thomas wants to take his team. Every successful team has a pecking order and the Pacers need to come up with one in October. Although there are already 14 players under contract, team president Don Walsh is sufficiently concerned to be contemplating the return of ancient mariner Derrick McKey, a free agent, but not until after camp ends to save $5 million on an old contractural obligation.

Camp project
With considerable talent at their disposal while playing in a mediocre conference, the Pacers still needed to close the regular season with a five-game winning streak to secure the No. 8 seed in the playoffs. To their credit they did it, but in the process, they raised more than a few doubts heading into this season, which looms as a big one for three of their major players. Reggie Miller, Jermaine O'Neal and Brad Miller are all free agents next summer. Mercer, Artest, Jonathan Bender and Jeff Foster are eligible for qualifying offers. Will there be enough money to sign them all? Will the Pacers want to do that? And if not, will the Pacers be back in the trading market by February?

	FANTASY GAMES KEY CAMPER
	Who to watch: Once a fantasy mainstay for his scoring ability, Ron Mercer was the forgotten man in the trade with the Bulls. The Pacers have quite a crowd at the swing positions, but Mercer, who will be one of the first guys off the bench, could fill a role for fantasy teams if given 25 minutes a night. Or, he could be trade bait. — Eric Karabell

Camp comeback
The Pacers waited three years for their high school phenom to blossom into a big time NBA player. It happened last season, but Harrington's season ended with a torn right ACL and now they can only hope he returns with the same athleticism that produced 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds a game in 44 contests before the injury. Harrington was cleared to start his comeback only in mid-September, and it might be weeks into camp -- or beyond -- before the Pacers know if he is able to take his place in the lineup. There's also a question of the availability of forward Austin Croshere, who had surgery in September to repair a fractured bone in his right foot. Croshere is expected to be available at the end of October.

Camp controversy
Jamaal Tinsley was the steal of the 2001 draft. He was taken with the 28th pick and then dealt from point-guard needy Atlanta to Indiana for a future pick. By rookie standards, Tinsley was pretty good, averaging 9.4 points and 8.1 assists a game. Over the summer, Tinsley's work ethic was remarkable as he trimmed fat and built muscle. He needs to be at his best because the Pacers still aren't giving him the job. Count draft pick Fred Jones as competition. The Pacers also like Jones as a two-guard, but they like to talk up his point-guard potential. That only creates more discomfort for Tinsley. And put veteran Erick Strickland into the mix, too. The Pacers are not about to leave Tinsley up there without a safety net, and Strickland is exactly that.

Jeffrey Denberg, who covers the NBA for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.