Quietly, the Indiana Pacers are slowly climbing the Eastern Conference ladder. After winning 2 of 3 last week, including a Texas road sweep of San Antonio and Houston, the Pacers find themselves in the upper plateau in 4th place.

With Milwaukee's sudden collapse, Indiana is now less than a percentage point from the top of the Central Division.

Credit is due to Isiah Thomas.

For example he has weathered two tough personnel decisions. In late December veteran point guard Travis Best refused to report into a game. Later he demanded a meeting with team president Donnie Walsh and a trade. Thomas diplomatically placated Best.

Last week's action found Best averaging 15 minutes of playing time and 3 points per game. Not good numbers for an NBA veteran who will be a free agent. But on the surface Best stated after the meeting "he is happy being a Pacer and wants to focus on playing".

Jalen Rose, who started the season with an individual goal of being an All-Star, has found his precious playing time downgraded. His playing style is not blending with Thomas's team plan.

Rose, at one time led the team in minutes played and scoring. Last week his time dropped nearly 10 minutes to 27 minutes per game, and his scoring dipped to 11. To the media he has stated "he will do what the coach wants." This is a 13 million guy being reformatted.

Personnel-wise, Thomas is meshing 9 players into the rotation. Veteran Reggie Miller, and All Star Jermaine O'Neal are getting the bulk of the minutes. Rookie Jamal Tinsley gets the majority minutes at point guard backed up by Best. Rose, Harrington, and Foster found their time cut last week by Bender and Croshere. Bender averaged 9.3 points per game - 5th highest on the team; Croshere averaged 7.0 rebounds - 2nd only to O'Neal.

Thomas will find out Wednesday night how the formula is working. The defending NBA champions Lakers come to town.

Los Angeles, with Shaquille O'Neal back in the lineup, easily started their Eastern road trip with a 20 win over Toronto.

To Indiana's advantage, they catch Los Angeles on the second night of a back to back. The Lakers are in Detroit the first night.

Conditions seem to be prime for Indiana.

Indiana follows the Lakers by hosting Chicago Friday. After the game they leave for Dallas for a Saturday night game. The Mavericks are trying to cope with an injured Michael Finley.

This week is a big challenge for Indiana. They face Milwaukee twice next week.

With All Star break soon, being atop the Central Division would be a nice perch for the second half of the season.