This past week, Curry dominated the headlines with vocality and attention-grabbing play during the NBA Western Conference Finals.
And no, I’m not talking about Stephen Curry, leader of the Golden State Warriors and 2015 league MVP. I’m talking about his two-year-old daughter Riley.
There is no denying the antics of Riley were absolutely adorable during her two appearances next to her father after the Warriors’ Game 1 and Game 5 victories over the Houston Rockets.
The toddler stole the hearts of millions across the country, and even those who have never watched a game of basketball in their lives were talking about Riley crawling under the table and telling her father to “be quiet.”
However, from the perspective of someone who has attended multiple press conferences during a two-year tenure at the Technician, I believe that a press conference is no place for children.
Riley, while charismatic, was extremely disruptive, making it difficult for the members of the media to do their jobs. Good quotes can make or break a story, and even though Curry may not have had much to say, his words are still important.
However, Riley’s appearance itself is not the real issue. I’m not arguing that she hurt any publication with her antics; if anything, she gave the media a bigger story.
The issue is that allowing children into press conferences sets a risky precedent for different situations in the future.
Curry was spectacular in both Game 1 and Game 5, averaging 30 points in the two games and earning the win in both.
But imagine if Curry and the Warriors had lost one of those games. Imagine if one of those losses was the direct result of Curry botching a play.
Naturally, after a loss, the media is not particularly kind to the leader of a losing team. Tough questions are asked, leading to tough answers from the athlete.
If Riley were present during one of those pressers, then the media would be hesitant to ask the necessary questions. You can’t insult a father in front of his kids.
I’m not saying that Curry would expose his daughter to that kind of unwanted attention, but if more and more athletes bring their kids into the media room, who’s to say someone wouldn’t?