NEW ORLEANS - The Kings are learning Toney Douglas isn't shy.
The recently acquired guard from the Houston Rockets was fully engaged from the bench during the Kings' 110-95 loss to the New Orleans Hornets.
"I'm a vocal person, regardless," Douglas said. "I know I'm new here but that's just how I am. I'm going to talk. If I don't know something, I'm going to ask. And when I'm on the court, I'm going to talk. That's just how I am."
That Douglas was so involved with the game came as no surprise to Patrick Patterson, who was also dealt to the Kings with Douglas.
"As far as being vocal Tone has been that all his life," Patterson said. "If he sees something or has a question he'll ask, the same with me."
The attentiveness of Douglas and Patterson was deemed "refreshing" by Kings coach Keith Smart.
Smart noted both players had no problem talking about what they saw and asking questions during the Kings' morning meeting.
"Right form the get-go Tone was active and trying to be a part of the scouting report as much as possible," Patterson said.
And that didn't stop during the game. Even though he didn't play, Douglas was pointing out observations from start to finish.
"Even though I'm not in I can relay what I see from the bench," Douglas said. "Help them think the game and see it for themselves when they're out there playing."
That attitude is welcomed by Smart.
"That is a winning spirit," Smart said. "That the guy just walked off the plane and walked right in here like he's been here, encouraging everyone. I asked him to go in the game with a minute to go in the game and he's ready. That's a winning spirit and that's what we've got to cherish about him and Patrick. Both of them were very engaged on the sideline. So we have to keep growing that and those are the type of players we're trying to get, that have the sprit of winning and care more about the team more than anything else."
What Douglas observed is something we all know about the Kings - the defense needs to improve immediately.
Three of the last five opponents have shot at least 50 percent against the Kings.
"The offensive end will take care of itself," Douglas said. "You can't win games just because of offense. You've got to be able to defend. Sometime your offense doesn't go that night, but you can control what you can control and that's on the defensive. And that's what I get from watching (Sunday). We're going to have to do better on the defensive end. It's things that we can fix, watch film, learn and grow."
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