Cousins adding to his range

The preseason is all about testing things out and showing off what you worked on over the summer.

Kings center DeMarcus Cousins started out showing off his shooting range – his three-point shooting range.

Cousins made one of his three three-point attempts in the Kings' 102-96 preseason win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday night at Power Balance Pavilion.

While many were curious as to how Tyreke Evans would look shooting from beyond the arc, most weren't expecting Cousins also firing from there.

"Coach wants me to shoot the three ball, so I'm still trying to find my spots and where to do it," Cousins said of Keith Smart. "That's what this time is for, trying to find it."

Cousins isn't looking to become a three-point specialist. He said when his trainer, Keith Williams, encouraged him to work on the three-point shot in years past, he resisted the idea.

In his first two seasons Cousins has taken 32 three-point attempts, making five.

"I'm still not even comfortable being out there, but coach wants me to do it, so I'm going to try to get it down," Cousins said.

Smart laughed when asked if he wanted to see Cousins shooting three-pointers.

"I didn't want to see it, but he was going to shoot it anyways," Smart said. "You don't find too many guys who love to rebound but can also shoot from distance. He's a unique guy."

Smart said he told Cousins if he wanted to shoot from long distance he needed to work on those shots.

If Cousins could become respectable from beyond the arc, it would create opportunities for him off the dribble and to drive past slower defenders.

And it's good Cousins doesn't want to become a three-point specialist because that's not what Smart wants, either.

"What he needs to do is work on his post game," Smart said. "I told him I don't want him hanging out too much on the perimeter shooting jump shots because in game No. 35 on the road somewhere, you won't be able to find that jump shot."

Though he finished with 21 points and nine rebounds in 26 minutes, Cousins wasn't impressed with his effort.

"It was OK," Cousins said. "I shot 5 for 15 – that's terrible and I had three turnovers. I'm definitely going to try to have a better game next time."

The Kings would like to see Cousins shoot around 50 percent after he shot 44.8 percent last season. If the Kings are going to run a lot of their offense through Cousins, he has to be more efficient.

That's why Smart wants to see Cousins playing "downstairs."

"(We need Cousins) working below the foul line and still be able to be effective there," Smart said. "On the road, we may need you there more than we need you at the top of the floor."

Finding the balance between the inside and outside game is still a work in progress. Cousins has never considered himself a player who plays exclusively near the basket.

He's also a good passer, and that's a role the Kings would like utilize him in more, too.

"I'm out of rhythm," Cousins said. "The season hasn't started, it's the first preseason game, I'm just trying to get my rhythm."

Rookie Thomas Robinson had 12 points and eight rebounds off the bench for the Kings. James Johnson had nine points, seven rebounds and three blocked shots.

• Read more articles by Jason Jones

Order Reprint