DeMarcus Cousins showed up in the best shape of his NBA career. It’s a good thing, too, because Kings coach Keith Smart is setting the bar even higher for the third-year center.

Smart is focusing on defense for this training camp and is asking Cousins to take a bigger role in leading the Kings from the bottom of the league in points allowed and field-goal percentage allowed.

“One thing I’ve already put to him is, ‘You should be honorable-mention All-Defense this year,’ ” Smart said. ” ‘If you put your mind to it, you should be honorable-mention All-Defense.’ ”

via Jason Jones of The Sacramento Bee