Kings Notes: Defense is Theus' top priority</p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>First-year coach Reggie Theus has pegged defense and rebounding as the foremost problem areas of his new squad. But in an early sign that perhaps there will be more follow-through this time, Theus made it clear that playing time will be dictated largely by defensive performance for both youngsters and veterans.</p> He envisions a return to the stifling Ron Artest of old on defense, says an in-shape Brad Miller can contribute more in the paint and is challenging fourth-year shooting guard Kevin Martin to make the most of his "potential to be a very good defensive player."</p> Even point guard Mike Bibby, so often maligned for his defense, will need to earn his time partially on the defensive end.</p> "There are two areas we have to get better in to be successful -- defense and rebounding," said Theus, who inherits a team that was 29th in rebounding differential (negative 4.4). "If we're better defensively, then we will rebound better because those things go hand in hand. And defense starts with your point guard.</p> "Mike Bibby will decide how many minutes he's going to play -- whether he plays 20-plus minutes or 30-plus minutes. That's on him, and a lot of that is going to be his defense. Whether Mike is a great defensive player or not, he's got to be willing to put it out there."</div></p> </p>
