KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia -- President Barack Obama said Sunday that comments reportedly made by the owner of a U.S. pro basketball team are "incredibly offensive racist statements," before casting them as part of a continuing legacy of slavery and segregation that Americans must confront. "When ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance, you dont really have to do anything, you just let them talk," Obama said when asked to respond to the reported comments from Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling. Obamas description of the controversy as part of a larger historical context is the latest example of his continuing willingness to expound on matters of race in his second term. After avoiding much mention of race relations during his campaign to become the first black president and in his first term, the president last summer offered a personal reflection in response to the shooting of black teenager Trayvon Martin. And now Obama has spoken out against an audio recording of a man identified as Sterling telling his girlfriend not to bring black people to games. The firestorm over Sterlings comments has quickly engulfed the National Basketball Association. Obama cast the comments through a broader prism of racism in America, adding that "we constantly have to be on guard on racial attitudes that divide us rather than embracing our diversity as a strength." "The United States continues to wrestle with the legacy of race and slavery and segregation, thats still there, the vestiges of discrimination," Obama said during a news conference in Malaysia, where he was travelling. "Weve made enormous strides, but youre going to continue to see this percolate up every so often," he added. "And I think that we just have to be clear and steady in denouncing it, teaching our children differently, but also remaining hopeful that part of why statements like this stand out some much is because there has been this shift in how we view ourselves." In the recording attributed to Sterling recording and posted on the website TMZ, a male voice questions his girlfriends association with minorities. TMZ reported the woman, V. Stiviano, is of black and Mexican descent. The man asks Stiviano not to broadcast her association with black people or bring black people to games. The man specifically mentions Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson on the recording, saying, "Dont bring him to my games, OK?" Obama said hes confident NBA Commissioner Adam Silver will address the matter. He said the NBA has "an awful lot of African American players, its steeped in African American culture. And I suspect that the NBA is going to be deeply concerned in resolving this." Silver had said the NBA needs to confirm authenticity of the audio tape and interview both Sterling and the woman in the recording. He called the tape "disturbing and offensive" and promised to investigate quickly. Al Weis Jersey . The injury could land Machado on the 15-day disabled list, but its not as serious as it looked on Monday night, when the third baseman crumpled in a heap at the plate after taking an awkward swing in a game against the New York Yankees. Jerry Blevins Jersey . The third-seeded Bouchard, from Westmount, Que., was coming off a semifinal appearance at the French Open. She took the opening set before the unseeded American came back for the 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory. https://www.cheapmetsjerseys.us/1860l-ty...ersey-mets.html. Next up, the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns in the AFC North. Baltimore Ravens In 2014, the 8-8 season that the Baltimore Ravens experienced was to be expected. Gary Gentry Jersey . The 24-year-old Raley was 0-2 with a 9.00 ERA for Chicago in his first two career starts after being called up from Iowa on Aug. 7. He was optioned to Iowa on Monday after losing 3-0 to Cincinnati in Chicago on Sunday. Randy Niemann Jersey .S. -- Carl-Antoine Delisle snapped a tie in the third period with his second goal of the game to lead the Tigres past Cape Breton 4-3 in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action Wednesday as Victoriaville won its eighth in a row.South Africas Charl Schwartzel has joined compatriot Louis Oosthuizen in deciding to skip this years Olympics. Just days after Oosthuizen added his name to a lengthening list of golfers who have opted to give the Rio de Janeiro games a miss, world No 20 Schwartzel has followed suit.South African legend Gary Player, who will captain his countrys golfers at the Olympics, where golf is returning after a 112-year absence, revealed Schwartzels decision in a statement. I am sad and disappointed that several top players have withdrawn from the Olympic Games in Rio, he said. I was sorry to hear that Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel have withdrawn their names from consideration.I would have given anything to play in the Olympics. South Africa had a great team, but now obviously, it will not be as good. Gary Player is team captain for his country in Brazil this summer Oosthuizen confirmed his decision to skip Rio last week, saying he had pulled out after family and schedule issues.ddddddddddddellow major-winner Adam Scott of Australia also pulled out last week, citing an extremely busy playing schedule around the time of the Olympics.Scotts decision was greeted with a chorus of disapproval in his homeland, with Australian swimming great Dawn Fraser leading the catcalls. Well done, Adam, great to put your country on hold so that you can fulfil your own schedule, Fraser said.Player meanwhile said modern players should give back to golf by playing in the Olympics. Players today make so much and should be giving back, he said. The Olympics is one way they can do that since there is no prize money. Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world and our best players should be showcased on the biggest stage in sports.rcw/bc Also See: Garner: Im born to race Rio boost for Daley in Kazan Two killed in Rio accident McGinley annoyed by Rio snubs ' ' '