Leo's Report on the Warriors Draft Picks Press Conference
June 30, 2008
Well, since by now Warrior fans that are paying close attention are no doubt
preoccupied with the breaking news that Baron Davis has opted out of the
remaining year of his contract, this report doesn't feel quite so timely or
important. Still, the event happened today, and I was there representing
warriorsworld.net, so I'm going to put my observations down to share with
whomever is interested.
I arrived about 15 minutes early, told the guy at the door I was there for
the press conference, and he steered me to the room in the bowels of Oracle
Arena. An assortment of local sports media folk were getting set up: Vern
Glen of KRON; Dennis O'Donnel of KPIX; Fred Inglis of KTVU; local
beatwriters Monte Poole, Marcus Thompson II, Geoff Lepper. Janny Hu popped
in looking like she was either on her way to, or from, the gym, dressed in a
sporty sweatsuit with her hair tied up. Matt Steinmetz looked casual in
shorts and sandals. I thought to myself, it must be nice to work in this
relaxed California environment.
There were 2 fans who had entered and won a contest featured at the
Warriors.com website, their prize being attendance at this event. I thought
they were from GSOM at first, until they filled me in on why they were
there.
At 1:15 the press conference hadn't started yet, and some of the muffled
conversations occurring among some of the 50 or so attendees must have
mentioned the possibility that maybe there'd be a bonus announcement having
to do with the team using their trade exemption.
Then, a handful of folks walked in together and took seats in the empty
front row, all having the look of being connected to the newly drafted
players. (I learned later that they were Hendrix's parents, and Randolph's
uncle and high school basketball coach. Each player's entourage also had a
representative from their agents firm in tow.)
After Raymond Ridder explained how the event was to unfold, Chris Mullin
opened with similar remarks he's been making since shortly after the draft
took place "he was excited², this was a "best case scenario² draft, and that
all the different people involved in the decision were unanimous and "on the
same page² about these picks.
Don Nelson then gushed "I haven't been this happy since we drafted Josh
Howard in Dallas with the 29th pick.² Nellie's comments, like Mullin's, were
brief, but glowing.
Now it was Randolph's turn to speak. Mentioning that he was looking forward
to playing for a Hall of Fame coach, Nelson interjected "You're thinking of
Dick Vitale, but thanks for putting me in there,² bringing a hearty laugh
from throughout the room. Randolph spoke of being honored to be joining a
great organization, and wanting to help win some championships. The humble,
well-spoken Richard Hendrix followed up with some gracious and earnest
remarks of his own (link to the youtube link of the press conference here:
http://www.nba.com/warriors/fanzone/2008_draft_blog.html ) and now it was
time for questions from the media.
I won't regurgitate the Q and A's, but there were some good questions about
Nellie's reputation for not playing young guys ("That'll change some next
year² and "I can play a whole lineup under the age of 22!²) Nelson also took
some time to refute his reputation as a coach who is unduly hard on rookies,
pointing out that he has indeed played, and even started, rookies who were
ready to play, citing Chris Webber, Timmy Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and even
Sidney Moncrief as examples. Anthony Randolph quipped: "I heard coach LOVES
rookies!² to a chorus of chuckles.
When a local TV sports anchor asked Randolph how he will reconcile going
from being "the man² so far his whole career to being a guy fighting to
belong and get playing time, Randolph responding by asserting that he plans
to "live in the gym² to become a better player. It seemed sincere, and
seemingly the whole room accepted it as such. It should be noted that both
Randolph and Hendrix were, by far, the two youngest people in the whole
building, save a class of 2nd graders assembled for a photo-op somewhere
else in the catacombs of Oracle Arena.
Seizing upon a lull in the conference, I raised my hand and received the
microphone for my turn at a question. Identifying myself as representing the
fan website warriorsworld.net, I informed them that the Bay Area is a
traditional basketball hotbed, with many, many knowledgeable and passionate
fans. I then asked each of them which one or two specific skills they
planned to work on this summer to prepare for their upcoming rookie
campaigns. Though neither draftee gave a specific answer, their answers to
this and to generally all the questions were indicative of two grounded,
smart, confident and eager young men ready for their next challenge of
playing in the NBA.
A few other comments:
Richard Hendrix is AT LEAST 2 inches taller than Chris Mullin, for what it's
worth.
Randolph's high school coach told me "Anthony's got a great attitude, is
still growing, and is a very fast learner.²
Randolph was born in Germany, both his parents were in the service.
Hendrix's parents were taking it all in, had a nice chat with his mother.
She told me she had spent a summer in Berkeley doing a teaching workshop at
Lawrence Hall of Science 20 years ago. She taught for 29 years and is now an
administrator at the college level.
Spent some time speaking with Keith Smart before I left. He said Brandan
Wright, Bellinelli and C.J. Watson had been working "very hard² all summer,
and had been given this week off before they reconvene in Las Vegas next
week for Summer League. Smart also mentioned that Monta Ellis had "put on
some muscle² in his upper body.
In a conversation with Ms. Hendrix, Smart assured her that the Warriors
organization has a commitment to developing all aspects of their players:
physical, mental and emotional, and that it was one of the things he was
most proud of in regards to the GSW organization. Finally, Smart said that
he's now been here 6 years, loves it here, and that his family has informed
him that even if he goes elsewhere, they (his family) are "staying in
California!²
Thanks to Rasheed for setting this up, and thanks to del and the whole
warriorsworld.net community.
Leo