It's pretty simple to Kings coach Keith Smart.

If the Kings are to begin playing well and improve, DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans have to play well.

Since becoming Kings coach Jan. 5, Smart has seen improved play from both of his young players. His challenge to both is for them to set the standard of play and hard work for their teammates and to take steps in becoming leaders for the Kings.

"I believe your game has to speak for yourself," Smart said. "And if you're playing great and at a high level every night, your teammates understand that, 'Man, he's bringing it every single night.'

"Then you can get vocal. I prefer a guy to be game-action talkative before he becomes a vocal talkative guy."

Cousins agreed with Smart's assessment that he and Evans have to consistently play well for the Kings to improve.

"When your two best players are playing well, everybody else has to follow," Cousins said. "When they're working the hardest, everybody else has to follow."

Cousins said he and Evans should look at Oklahoma City's All-Star duo of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook as an example to follow. Both are known for their hard work and leadership for the Thunder, which has the best record in the Western Conference.

"That's something me and Tyreke have got to do, and it carries over to the rest of the team," Cousins said. "But that's where it starts."

Evans has been a go-to player in his past two games. He scored a season-high 31 points with nine assists in Saturday's loss at Utah. Evans followed that game Tuesday with 22 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists at Golden State.

Evans acknowledged before the season the need to become more of a leader now that he's in his third season.

This season, the Kings' other primary ballhandlers are rookies Jimmer Fredette and Isaiah Thomas.

Evans said it's easier to lead when playing well, but regardless his focus needs to be the same.

"I've just got to keep playing basketball even if something's going on off the court," Evans said. "My goal is to come out aggressive every night and just try to win games. That's pretty much it."

Smart said Cousins has been a different player in the past month. Cousins, who had run-ins with former coach Paul Westphal, credits a positive environment fostered by Smart.

Cousins had 21 points and 14 rebounds Tuesday, his 14th double double in 21 games this season, which is third in the NBA. Cousins had 26 double doubles in 81 games last season.

If Evans and Cousins can play at this level the rest of the season, Smart believes they'll become the leaders the Kings need from two players drafted in the top five.

Being a vocal leader with lackluster play doesn't work, says Smart.

"The game has to speak for itself, first because I don't believe in all that talking," the coach said.

Smart's lineup could get a boost in leadership today if guard Marcus Thornton is cleared to play against the Portland Trail Blazers at Power Balance Pavilion.

Thornton (deep hematoma in his left thigh) has missed seven games. Thornton initially suffered a thigh contusion Jan. 8 and re-aggravated the injury Jan. 20.

Thornton said the padding on his left leg feels like he's wearing a football player's thigh pad. But he's getting accustomed to it.

"I'm anxious to get back out there," Thornton said. "I'm going to go with what the doctors say because they know best, but I'm hoping it's (today)."

Thornton was the Kings' leading scorer (16.4 points per game) before his injury.

"He's young, but he's a veteran," Smart said of Thornton. "Even having only a couple years under his belt, he still has the savvy of an NBA-aggressive player. And you've missed that on the floor because you need it in some crunch-time situations. He can make a play out of a dead play."

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