Greene To Start At Small Foward
The race for the starting small forward job is finally over as Kings head coach Paul Westphal announced his starting lineup for opening night at practice on Friday.
"If we're healthy, we'll start with Beno, and Cisco, and Donte', and Carl and DeMarcus the first game," Westphal said.
Second year guard Tyreke Evans will not play in the season opener because of a league mandated one-game suspension for his reckless driving charge.
At 6'11, Greene provides versatility and length at the small forward position.
"He [Greene] has a good understanding of what we want," said Westphal "He's going out there and playing aggressively."
Greene is focused on keeping his starting job this season. He said at times last season, he became comfortable in the starting role.
"The main thing we want from Donte' is enthusiasm to go with the natural improvement a player has going into his third year in the league," Westphal said.
Westphal said Casspi, who started 31 games as rookie last season, is embracing his role off the bench.
"He's a very important part of team," Westphal said. "I think he can give us a lot off the bench."
In September, Casspi told AOL Fanhouse senior NBA writer Sam Amick that he was going to make sure he was the starter.
Casspi has struggled with his shot this preseason, shooting 30.6 percent from the field, and 26.7 percent from three-point range.
"My shots aren't falling yet," Casspi said following practice on Monday, "I'm kinda trying to adjust to the three-point line again coming from overseas."
The Kings also waived three players to trim the roster to 14 players. Guard Joe Crawford, center Connor Atchley and forward Marcus Landry were cut by the team.
Landry started the first two preseason games and Westphal was impressed with his intelligence on the floor. Landry did not play in the last three preseason games.
The team went through a light practice as Westphal tries to get his club healthy. Evans (left ankle sprain), Beno Udrih (right shoulder sprain), Darnell Jackson (right ankle sprain) and Francisco Garcia (right ankle sprain) are day-to-day.
Sacramento has two preseason games left before opening the season Oct. 27 in Minnesota.
