(My Sportsbook) - The Central Division is certainly the most competitive in the Eastern Conference. Detroit won the division last year, and, despite some major roster moves, it is once again competing on a nightly basis. The Hornets, energized by their new city and edifice, are playing solid basketball at 5-2.

At the top of the division are the young and exciting Indiana Pacers. Off to a 6-1 start, Indiana has the look of a team that will be in the running for years to come.

Part of Indiana's success can be attributed to its defense. The Pacers are holding opponents to an average of just over 85 points per game. Ron Artest is a huge part of Indiana's smothering defense.

"Back home, I was the guy getting stops," Artest told the Indianapolis Star in reference to the New York neighborhood where he grew up. "Guys would get upset, so you just fight it out. You get into a scuffle, then after you finish you go back and play."

Artest's teammates know how impressive he can be at locking down opposing players.

"We call him 'The Beast' for a reason," Brad Miller said of Artest. "He's so strong, and he just loves playing defense. He scares people anymore. He just physically and mentally intimidates people."

The Pacers are off to the best start in franchise history. Isiah Thomas has his team off and running with both Reggie Miller and Austin Croshere on the injured list. Miller will probably regain his starting job when he returns, despite the lights-out play of Artest.

Artest leads the team in field-goal percentage (.560) and is averaging 17.1 points a game while starting at shooting guard in Miller's place. Despite those respectable numbers, it's his defense that shines the most.

Thomas has been questioned for his use of personnel. At this point in the season, he may have actually benefited from injuries. Will he be able to keep Artest on the floor and keep everyone happy? That's a question that has yet to be answered.

While Miller's best defensive move is the flop, with which he has drawn many a charge, Artest is a physical ball defender that doesn't let the opposing player breathe.

"As much physical play as I can do without fouling I'm going to do," Artest said. "It's like football-basketball for me."

Thomas has not exactly earned a PHD in team chemistry during his time with the Pacers. How he handles the next few months will go a long way in determining what kind of season the Pacers will ultimately have.

Despite an exciting team full of young players, the Pacers have drawn less than capacity crowds to Conseco Fieldhouse.

"We've got to get the stands to sellout capacity," Jermaine O'Neal said. "If we get that atmosphere and take care of our home court, it's going to be extremely tough to beat us. Because, as you know, it can get really crazy in [the fieldhouse]."

General manager Donnie Walsh has done his part, signing Artest and the majority of his young players to long-term deals.

"All these guys want to be on this team," Walsh said. "That's pretty amazing for a young group of guys. I like the fact they want to be in Indiana and be part of the Pacers. They see themselves as playing together for a long time."

Things are looking up for the Pacers, who were once a team of veteran players that won with the perimeter shot. Now, the new-look squad is proving there is more than one way to skin a cat.