Greene to Start for Kings at Small Forwar

Donté Greene began earning a measure of respect last season, and it showed during Wednesday's exhibition game in Las Vegas against the Los Angeles Lakers.

Instead of daring him to beat them as they did a year ago, the Lakers put one of their best defenders on Greene – Kobe Bryant.

Not only have the Lakers taken notice of Greene's play, so has Kings coach Paul Westhphal, who on Friday said Greene would start the season at small forward.

Greene, who averaged 8.5 points in 2009-10, surprised the Lakers by scoring 16 points in a game against L.A. last season. On Wednesday, Greene scored 10 of his 11 points in the fourth quarter – with an assist to Bryant.

"Kobe said something to me during (Wednesday's) game," Greene said. "That's what got me going in the fourth quarter. He was on the bench in the fourth quarter, and he said, 'Yeah, you're not doing nothing this year, young fella. We're not having that this year.' "

But it's not just his offensive game that has come around. Greene understands what the Kings want from him – defense, effort and timely shooting.

Greene is looking more like the player the Kings believed in last season when he became more selective with his shots and a willing defender. Also, his weight is down to 242 pounds – after weighing 260 in September – and his confidence is up.

"I think early, Donté was battling conditioning issues, and he also was probably battling himself a little bit," Westphal said. "I didn't think he was bringing the same enthusiasm that we've come to expect, that's when he's at his best. And he was thinking too much. Now, I see him playing a little looser."
Omri Casspi will come off the bench at small forward. Francisco García and Antoine Wright can also play there as reserves.

More lineup news – Barring injuries, Greene and Carl Landry will start at forward, Beno Udrih and García at guard and DeMarcus Cousins at center for the Oct. 27 season opener at Minnesota. Tyreke Evans will take García's spot after serving a one-game suspension for pleading no contest to reckless driving.

Cutdowns – The Kings waived center Connor Atchley, guard Joe Crawford and forward Marcus Landry, the younger brother of Carl Landry.