Kings guard Nik Stauskas surprised by reaction to comments | The Sacramento Bee

Nik Stauskas said he was only trying to “keep it real.”

But many aren’t prepared to accept reality.

Hence the reaction to the Kings rookie’s comments after his first preseason game.

“I understand that I’m a rookie and I’m white, so people are going to attack me at all times,” he said after the Kings beat the Raptors 113-106 on Sunday in Vancouver. “Just coming out there in the game, I felt it right away.”

Stauskas was surprised that some people reacted with shock or claimed he was trying to garner sympathy.

Some still think these stereotypes don’t exist and are not a part of basketball.

His comment was honest without malice. He knows that some question if he is athletic enough to play in the NBA, but no one seems to question his basketball “smarts.”

The subject comes often about Stauskas – whether he is athletic enough. These conversations happen on the court, and have for decades.

Ask Larry Bird. He said he felt disrespected when a white player defended him.

Stauskas felt he was being being real and got the reaction because he didn’t speak in a media cliche.