Since being handed the starting job by Isiah Thomas as a rookie in 2001-02, Tinsley has been virtually unchallenged at the top of the depth chart. After enduring two seasons of injury problems for Tinsley, however, the Pacers made a major move at the position by signing Sarunas Jasikevicius. The addition of the European superstar makes point guard the deepest position on a deep roster and gives the team much-needed insurance against another Tinsley breakdown.

When he's right, Tinsley is one of the best pure point guards in the game, playing as if on skates, finding passing lanes few others can see. A radically improved shooter, Tinsley has made 37.2 percent of his shots from the 3-point line the last two seasons after hitting 25.8 percent his first two. With the team's offense devastated by suspensions last season, he stepped forward as a scorer, averaging 15.4 overall and 19.1 in a 27-game span before suffering the foot injury that spoiled his year. Durability has become the major drawback. Tinsley has missed 72 games the past two seasons.

Jasikevicius

Coming off back-to-back EuroLeague championships, Jasikevicius has a very different skill set. Where Tinsley will swing for the fences with some of his decisions, Jasikevicius is much more fundamentally sound. Where defenses are willing to let Tinsley shoot from the perimeter, they will crowd Jasikevicius, a deadly long-range bomber. Where Tinsley is generally reserved in his on-court demeanor, Jasikevicius has a reputation for fiery emotions.

Tinsley's biggest advantages, and they are formidable, are his NBA experience, knowledge of Coach Rick Carlisle's system and familiarity with teammates. Neither player is particularly adept at individual defense, though Tinsley is more advanced as a team defender. And both players are exceptionally competitive, which should make this a season-long battle to watch.

Johnson

Adding to the intrigue is the rock-solid presence of Anthony Johnson, whose contributions to last season's playoff push were immense. When Tinsley went down, Johnson stepped in, averaging 11.3 points and 6.3 assists while the team posted a 21-15 record with him as a starter. The best defender of the bunch, with good strength and long arms, Johnson is valuable because of his ability to match up with stronger guards like Dwyane Wade and Chauncey Billups.

Eddie Gill is yet another veteran, but needs to show more than he did last season (3.7 points, 1.1 assists. .308 shooting in a career-high 73 games). That'll be difficult, considering that kind of opportunity for playing time isn't likely to recur.