Basketball is back at The Bryce Jordan Center.

Except, this week, the game is being played at a higher level than what Penn State basketball fans are normally accustomed to.

That's because the Philadelphia 76ers are holding a training camp that kicked off yesterday morning.

The camp features an open gym Monday evening where fans can watch the squad go through drills and prepare for the 2000-2001 NBA season.

The Sixers hope to advance past the second round of the playoffs this year, as they were ousted by the Indiana Pacers who went onto the NBA Finals, only to be defeated by the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.

Philadelphia coach Larry Brown, who just returned from coaching the USA Olympic men's basketball team, said teaching his players this season will be easier, because of the nucleus that remains from last year.

With all five starters returning and some key first-year players having a chance to contribute, Brown said this week's camp cannot be wasteful.

"It's important that we get a lot out of this training camp," the 1999 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year said.

"We have guys on our team that are good leaders.

"The key with us is that they all step up and do it," he said.

One of those marquee players that Brown speaks of is 1999-2000 All-NBA Second Team selection and human highlight film, Allen Iverson.

Iverson, who is known as much for his stellar ball-handling as his public disagreements with Brown, must begin to work with his coach if the Sixers are to be successful.

Brown thinks it will work out.

"He's going to be one of our captains," the coach said. "You're only as good as your best players."

Sixers forward Toni Kukoc, who was a member of the Chicago Bulls dynasty in the 1990's, said the team is expecting a tough training camp, and on Day 1, they got it.

The 6-foot-11 Croatian, who can step out and shoot the open jumpshot or bang bodies in the paint, will be challenging former North Carolina star George Lynch for a starting job this season.

Lynch, who sustained a stress fracture in his left foot in late July, was sidelined yesterday and didn't get to challenge Kukoc on the first day of camp.

However, the 6-foot-8 Lynch said he doesn't know how Brown will determine who will be named the starter at the forward spot.

"It depends whether he goes by who plays more at training camp," he said.

"I feel you should go by performance," Lynch said.

Kukoc said he isn't worried about the starting spot because he knows some players just get a better feel for the game off the bench.

"Not at all," Kukoc said when asked if he was concerned about getting the starting job.

"It's not that I don't care, but if there is an interest on the team that I come off the bench, then I'll do that."

Easy to say when the season is still 27 days away.