Raptors coach calls Donald Sterling's alleged racist comments 'hurtful'

Toronto Raptors coach Dwane Casey said that the alleged comments attributed to Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling are hurtful and have no place in the National Basketball Association.

In a taped conversation, a voice purported to be Sterling's is heard making racist comments. He allegedly ordered his girlfriend, who taped the conversation, not to bring black people to Clippers games and telling her not to post Instagram photos of herself with black people. 

Sterling denies making the comments and says it is not him on the tape.

"Racism," said Casey, "there's no place for that in the NBA, whatsoever."

The alleged comments made the Raptors head coach reflect on both race and his own organization.

Casey, a 57-year-old African American, said he lived through the 1960s, when outright racism and segregation were social norms.

"If [the comments] are true, they're hurtful," said Casey. "Living through racial discrimination, and all the things we were living though [in the 1960s]...they're hurtful."

Adam Silver, the NBA's commissioner, is looking into the alleged comments.

"I'm trusting and believing in [Silver] in investigating it, to putting an end to those types of feelings," said Casey.

He also said it reinforced his appreciation of Larry Tanenbaum, the chairman of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, the owner of the Raptors. 

"When Larry Tanenbaum walked in the locker room last night, I was so thankful to have an owner like that," he said. "One of the best owners in the league."

Casey and the Raptors are currently battling the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA playoffs. Their first-round playoff series if currently tied 2-2. They play again on Wednesday.