Regretful Buford backing ref Reid

SYDNEY Kings coach Chase Buford hopes referee Chris Reid is assigned the Kings’ opening grand final clash against the Tasmania JackJumpers on Friday so he can apologise for being an “idiot” and discrediting the veteran official.

Buford copped a $10,000 fine for publicly calling out Reid in his post-game press conference after the Kings’ final-round loss to Illawarra.

The Sydney mentor inferred that Reid was purposefully penalising his side, while he also found himself in hot water for using a texta to write “F!@#$%& suck” on the referees’ locker room.

A remorseful Buford has already apologised for his selfconfessed “childish” behaviour, but he would also like to personally tell Reid if given the chance.

“I would probably be relieved (if Reid was on our grand final) so that I can go and maybe have a conversation and apologise for acting like an idiot,” Buford told the Basketball Show.

“It is not his fault or game or play. Like I said prior to the Illawarra series, I need to not be getting in personal battles with the officials.

“So, it would be another apology to Chris and hopefully we can all move on.”

The Kings have displayed poise under pressure all season, especially when games were there to be won in the fourth quarter.

MVP-winning guard Jaylen Adams has led the way, but Buford said Ian Clark’s influence could not be ignored as a former NBA champion at the Golden State Warriors alongside Steph Curry in 2017.

“We pride ourselves on highly competitive practices and Ian has helped us a lot with that since he has come into our group,” he said.

“He carries that bench group with a ton of energy and leadership.

“The bench guys take it to our starters a lot of days. They talk trash and get after it, and it carries over to the court.

“Jaylen isn’t fazed by big moments. Xavier (Cooks), Jarell (Martin) are the same and so is Ian, who has had some huge moments throughout his career.

“In those moments they just trust themselves and they believe they can get it done.”