Observations From Inside The Donnie Walsh Press Conference
Posted on April 2, 2008 by David Rabinowitz
Filed Under: Behind The Scenes , David Rabinowitz , Donnie Walsh , NBA , New York Knicks
Pre-conference
It's about 30 minutes before the press conference is set to begin; the cameramen and photographers are here setting up, checking their white balance. There's literally a guy standing in front of the dais holding a piece of white printer paper for his photographer. Weird.
Picture a graph partially filled in with a No. 2 pencil. That's what the grid of chairs looks like as reporters file in slowly.
There's a pretty nice spread laid out for the press. It's not quite palatial, but it's no school cafeteria either. If only people weren't staring at me as I make my way toward the buffet. It's lunch time and I could totally go for one of those chocolate chip cookies right now.
Donnie Walsh has yet to arrive, but there's a lot of small talk going on. I'm trying to eavesdrop without making it look too obvious. Being a fly on the wall would sure come in handy right now.
There's a lot of movement now as members of the media rush to their seats as the man of the hour finally makes his way into the room with Garden chairman, James Dolan, and SVP of communications, Barry Watkins.
At every press conference I've attended or seen on TV, there's usually at least three seats with a number of microphones perched on a long table. Today, there's only one seat.
Conference
While the stage seems calm, there's an awful lot of movement as the photogs are scuttling about.
Man, these guys, and gals, get themselves into some funky positions to get a good shot. They must take Pilates. It sounds like a drumline as they snap away.
The opening statements are over. Walsh seems calm and composed as he answers questions.
Walsh's ability to make the room laugh then stand at attention two questions later is impressive.
A reporter's cell phone went off for the second time, but no one seems to care.
And we're done.
For now.
Now the video people are bustling around to get in the next position while reporters are comparing notes.
After answering questions for 45 minutes, Walsh now has to sit and endure several one-on-ones. The man is a machine. He hasn't stopped to take a sip of water once. Here's hoping he stays hydrated!
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