SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Sacramento Kings coach George Karl sought out his new point guard Rajon Rondo after a recent game to offer some congratulatory words.

"I'm happy for you," Karl told Rondo after he led the Kings to a blowout victory over the Los Angeles Lakers.

View photos Rajon Rondo has so far looked much more productive with the Kings. (AP) More

Karl's words were received by Rondo and meant all the more given the veteran point guard's turbulent last season. Once considered one of the NBA's elite point guards, Rondo has spent recent seasons either injured, suspended or, yes, arguing with his coach.

"People that know me, know me," Rondo told Yahoo Sports. "I am the way I am. … They know my character. It is what it is. The perception the media gave me, the character of the person they made me, whoever they made me out to be, that's their prerogative. It doesn't affect me at all."

Given a fresh start in Sacramento, Rondo has so far made a positive impact on the games. He had 21 points and eight assists in two of Sacramento's first three games and has connected with All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins.

"People that kind of discarded him are silly," Lakers guard Kobe Bryant told Yahoo Sports. "He had injuries and stuff like that. … He's going to come back this year and play the way he's always been playing. No surprise at all."

"I like being the underdog," Rondo said.

Rondo was in the final year of a five-year, $55 million contract with the Boston Celtics when last season began. He was the last player remaining from Boston's 2008 NBA championship team and appeared receptive to a contract extension. But after being offered a two-year extension, which Celtics president Danny Ainge has said they offered, Rondo turned it down in hopes of a maximum deal in the offseason. He was eventually traded to the Dallas Mavericks on Dec. 18.

"I don't look at the past at all," Rondo said. "What's for me is what's for me. Everybody always talks about money, money, money. But for me it's all about happiness."

In Dallas, Rondo struggled offensively and couldn't get on the same page with coach Rick Carlisle. Carlisle is known for making the offensive play calls when he deems necessary. Rondo was the primary play caller in Boston, and the two clashed. After one on-court argument, Rondo was suspended for a game. His stay with Dallas ended after a listless performance in the first round of the playoffs when he and the team essentially parted ways with the Mavericks declaring he had a "back injury."

"Things just didn't work out," Rondo said.

Rondo had hoped to join a contender in free agency, but didn't receive much interest on the market. The Kings gave him a one-year, $11 million contract.

New Kings president Vlade Divac targeted Rondo from the start of free agency. He valued Rondo's past as a "winner" over his struggles in Dallas and felt an experienced, veteran point guard would help Cousins. The Kings also explored trading for Rondo last year.

View photos Rondo and Kings coach George Karl could end up being a good match for each other. (Getty Images) More

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