There are many tattoos that grace the body of Rashad McCants, but none are as famous – or perhaps infamous – as the artwork on his burly biceps.

On the right arm, it reads "Born to be hated." On the left arm, the artwork says "Dying to be loved." One week into his Sacramento stay, McCants is going left every time.

Despite having hardly played in the two games since being traded to the Kings, the fourth-year guard with the reputation as Minnesota's me-first menace has gained early affection from his new team for his team-first attitude and unlikely leadership.

The Kings' coaches first took notice during halftime of Wednesday's game, when Sacramento trailed Charlotte 55-41 and the voice of reason came from the most unlikely source in the locker room. McCants, the player who was widely blamed as the problem personality for a Timberwolves team that improved after he was benched by coach Kevin McHale this season, shared his thoughts with his new teammates without any prompting. He did it again a day later, speaking up after Thursday's practice and offering an outsider's perspective on the team he hopes can help with his redemption.

"His attitude has been great, one of the best," Kings coach Kenny Natt said.

"Even when he didn't get playing time, he's making comments on things that we should be better at. That's (acting) as a teammate, stepping up and being boisterous in the locker room. I love that."

While the sample size is certainly small, McCants' early approach is a virtual how-to guide to finding favor with the Kings in their current state and perhaps landing a free-agent contract this summer. After Tuesday's practice, he had a lengthy heart-to-heart discussion with Pete Carril after which the Kings consultant said McCants had been open, appreciative and honest.

The conversation began without the niceties, as Carril politely excused two journalists while bluntly asking the University of North Carolina product how a former collegiate national champion and 14th pick in the 2005 draft falls so far so fast. What came next might not have been a coincidence, as McCants' post-practice message Thursday included his high praise for the free-flowing Princeton offense that was invented by Carril and is now used by the Kings.

"His conversation to the team was telling them how (the Timberwolves) game-planned for (the Kings) and thought (they) were one of the most difficult teams to guard because of all the cutting … and how when you're good, the ball movement happens, and it makes it hard (to defend)," said Kings assistant Rex Kalamian, who spent two seasons with McCants as a Minnesota assistant from 2005 to 2007.

"It kind of made us feel good in that respect, that we're on the right path but we just need more consistency. It's good for him as a new player to come in, and he's not scared or timid – he's a leader."

Yet anyone who has seen McCants' left shoulder knows he's not the type to back down from a challenge. That tattoo on that fleshy patch of real estate reads "Never scared," something he has proved in ways that aren't always flattering.

During the summer league in 2007, McCants and Kings swingman Francisco García had a late-night altercation at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas that both say comes with no carryover effect. The rivalry dates to their high school days on the East Coast, when McCants was winning a New England Prep School Class A championship at New Hampton school in New Hampshire and was a two-time state Player of the Year while Garcia flourished at the Cheshire Academy in Connecticut and Winchendon School in Massachusetts. The evidence in recent matchups seems to support their claim, as the once-standoffish players have been seen bumping fists and sharing pleasantries.

McCants – who has his own clothing line and writes poetry for his personal Web site – could see more playing time in the coming week, as starting point guard Beno Udrih's sprained right foot suffered Wednesday is expected to keep him out at least through Saturday's game at Utah. And while Natt has relied on Bobby Jackson to fill the role, the coach could begin turning more to McCants as he continues to learn the Kings' system. McCants, who averaged 14.9 points in 26.9 minutes in the 2006-07 season before his playing time declined, might be on his way to finding love in the NBA.

"Not a lot of guys in the league get second chances, or even get the opportunity, period, so I'm grateful for the opportunity I have," McCants said. "It's a chance to play, get minutes, show people what I can do. … Without struggle, there's no progress.

"I thought Minnesota was a place I could be for quite a long time, and they had different plans. I'm here now, trying to move on."

Read the Kings blog at www.sacbee.com/kingsblog.