I know we are only three games into the preseason and that the games don't count, but Indiana is 3-0 right now.  This is a positive sign to me for a few reasons.

Team Depth:  With the craptastic basketball that I had to endure last season, this team seems like it is much deeper than the past couple teams.  Again, I know that in the preseason minutes are divided up more evenly, but when the bench players have come in, they have produced.  13 players average 11 minutes a game, which is part of finding a solid rotation, but 10 of those players are averaging over 6 points per game.  In the three preseason games so far, three different players have led the team in scoring.

Team Shooting:  This was a big issue last year.  The team could not shoot from anywhere on the floor without making it an adventure.  This preseason the teams is shooting 42% from the floor and 39% from three point range.  7 out of the 13 rotational players are shooting 42% or above right now.  Danny Granger (10-31), Troy Murphy (10-28), and Kareem Rush (10-24) are the notable players that are struggling with their shots right now.  I do believe that their shots will become more consistent as the preseason and season continue along.  One area of shooting that bothers me is the free throw shooting.  The team is only shooting 69% collectively.  Down the stretch, you have to be able to make free throws consistently.  This team, along with most teams, can't hit free throws very well.  I don't understand why this is even an issue in the NBA.  IT'S THE MOST BASIC SHOT IN BASKETBALL FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!

Ike Diogu:  The youngster has come to play so far this preseason.  Would you believe that he was drafted ahead of Danny Granger in the 2005 draft?  It looks like his health is no longer an issue and that has allowed him to focus on becoming the player he was supposed to be when he was drafted by the Golden State Warriors.  11 points and 5 rebounds in 23 minutes of play is a nice sign.

Tonight the Pacers play the Memphis Grizzlies in a homecoming for Mike Conley Jr.  The game starts at 7pm eastern and can be seen on Fox Sports Indiana.