The G League is normally a quiet place only heard of when players are called up or sent down from the NBA. But when a coach decides to go on an all-time rant, the whole league listens. Wisconsin Herd head coach Chad Buford, son of San Antonio Spurs renowned front office extraordinaire R.C. Buford, couldn't hold back after coaching the Milwaukee Bucks affiliate to a 126-117 loss to the Grand Rapids Drive.
Buford was irate with the officiating and let it rip post-game, hair pull and all.
Via Dan Feldman of NBC Sports:
“The officiating definitely went right for Grand Rapids,” said Buford. “That was as unprofessional as an officiating performance. I hope you tweet this out and tag the league, because that was embarrassing. Matt Rafferty is a f***ing clown.
“That being said, we have to be so much better at the end of games. We can’t blow a 21-point lead with 12 minutes to go. However bad and biased and unfair and illegal and cheating the referees are, we have to be better at closing games. And so that’s the way I feel.”
Early candidate for coaching rant of the year! Wisconsin Herd Head Coach Chase Buford after his team saw a 21-point lead disappear in the 4th quarter vs. Grand Rapids. And because he asked: @nbagleague pic.twitter.com/cw5t1lMSKI
— Ryan Rodig (@ryanrodig) February 24, 2020
What makes this panic-room scene all the much better is the complete contradiction between the two parts of Buford's quote. He first carves Rafferty alive — by name — and then goes on to say “we can't blow a 21-point lead with 12 minutes to go.”
Buford's accusation of Rafferty could have legal consequences, as his claims are likely unfounded. This isn't some big-time Tim Donaghy scheme where bookies make a fortune from Grand Rapids winning games or pulling out the spread.
The Drive, a Detroit Pistons affiliate, did manage to get nine more free throw attempts than the Herd, but they also stole the ball 19 times and forced the Herd into 27 turnovers, which made all the difference in the game.
Expectedly, Buford released a statement through the Herd to apologize for his comments, noting this is a learning experience as a first-year coach.
— Wisconsin Herd (@WisconsinHerd) February 24, 2020
It seems he gained nothing more than a public embarrassment by tagging the G League on this all-time gaffe.
As for the Bucks, they are set to hit the court on Monday for a matchup with the Washington Wizards.
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