Pacers front office people are talking enthusiastically about some of their players.

Mike Dunleavy and Troy Murphy are said to be much stronger. Marquis Daniels has healed from the injuries that slowed him the past two seasons. Jermaine O?Neal, his knee surgically healed, says he feels better than he has in at least a couple of years. He?s 10 pounds lighter than last season.

Indications are that they will keep O'Neal and see how he reacts to Jim O'Brien's system instead of taking a trade offer they are lukewarm about.