Source: Sacramento Bee

The process of making Travis Outlaw a contributor began last season when Marcus Thornton was injured at the end of last season.

Coach Keith Smart could have gone several ways with his starting lineup but opted to use Outlaw at small forward in the final weeks. Smart wanted to give Outlaw a good feeling going into the offseason after two disappointing seasons.

Now Smart believes Outlaw is ready to help the Kings.

"It gave him some data and some things to work on this summer," Smart said. "And he came into camp and did a good job. And in some of the preseason games he played in, I was pretty happy with that."

Smart wanted to give Outlaw more confidence because he believes Outlaw's stature (6-foot-9, 207 pounds) and athletic ability could be key to improving the NBA's worst defense from the 2011-12 season.

Smart would like to be able to use Outlaw against athletic power forwards and big small forwards.

"Right now, it's about getting chemistry on the team," Outlaw said. "We've already got scorers, so I'm going to have to try and bring defense to the team."

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/10/24/4933811/travis-outlaw-could-help-boost.html#storylink=cpy

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