Kang sort of reminds Sam of Bobby. The person, not the dog. He has that same sort of 'no nonsense' air about him and he may, some day, try to get Kang to call his brother an 'idjit'. Just to see Dean's reaction. He's also really glad to have someone else on his side when it comes to Dean's martyr complex. (Sam's smart enough not to show his in public.)

Schmuz doesn't know Kang well, but Sam's good opinion of him helps. Along with the fact that Kang didn't vote to have him killed out of hand. (Okay, none of the Council did, but Kang's the one that Sam knows.) Other than that, he's still getting used to the idea of Draconians. And very, very glad that Shiva didn't try to get Kang as a host for him.