"It looked like a weight had been lifted off the players' shoulders. They played with freedom, and it was more like the old Tottenham."
Skipper King was playing his first League match since 31 August his second match in the space of four days and wants to play against Arsenal in the North London derby on Wednesday.
That would defy medical opinion that suggested the captain would not be able to play two games in a week because of a chronic knee complaint.
Redknapp wants King to be his leader, though, and needs him on the pitch for as many games as possible in order to have a realistic chance of maintaining their top-flight status.
King added: "I felt I could [play two games in succession]. Until you do it, you don't know, but now it's done, hopefully people will stop talking about it.
"It is important not to get carried away, and I am not about to try to play every game just yet. Will I be able to play at Arsenal on Wednesday? We'll see."
Redknapp has agreed a four-and-a-half-year deal, although the former West Ham boss has indicated he would walk away from White Hart Lane if he failed to keep the club up.
The deal is thought to be worth about £3m per year, while Spurs had to fork out £5million in compensation to Portsmouth.
Peter Storrie, Portsmouth's chief executive, also confirmed that there was nothing in writing to prevent Redknapp raiding Fratton Park for playing talent such as ex-Spurs star Jermaine Defoe.
The 26-year-old, who was also with Redknapp at West Ham, refused to be drawn on his own future. He did, however, concede that Redknapp's move to White Hart Lane had come as a surprise.
"It was a shock," he said. "But you've just got to get on with it. You've still got to play, the world doesn't stop. It happens and good luck to him.
Redknapp faces a massive test on Wednesday after the Gunners showed they are moving into top gear with a 2-0 win at West Ham yesterday.
Robin van Persie insisted after the game that Redknapp's arrival would make no difference to them.
He said: "I don't know and honestly I don't really care (what's happening at Spurs). We have our own team and we play whoever shows up. I am aware of their new manager Harry Redknapp so we will see what happens.
"The game against Tottenham is one on its own it doesn't matter where they stand."
