The Indiana Pacers were back at the Fieldhouse continuing their preseason work yesterday. Among the topics in the links today are the efforts to develop a mentality that can help the team defend at a rate better than the sum of its parts.

Also, A.J. Price has been a nice surprise in the early games, not only playing but producing while still in the midst of recovering from major knee surgery in the offseason. If Price continues to play well, T.J. Ford's hammy may never heal.

• PACERS: Though not full strength, Price Pacers' best player thus far
  Bruno's Caught in the Web offers some high praise from Jim O'Brien for A.J. Price's preseason effort. T.J. Ford's hammy may never heal if Price keeps this up.
• Emphasis on defense
  Mike Wells reports Jim O'Brien continuing his efforts to develop a defensive mind set amongst his team.
• Rick Carlisle back on the bench for Mavericks
  Dallas lost to Cleveland last night but Rick Carlisle was back on the bench coaching after collapsing at practice on Friday.
• CIB budget proves a hard sell before council | IndyStar.com
• Allen Iverson interested in playing basketball professionally in Turkey
  Say it ain't so, AI.