The PBWA also today announced the Golden State Warriors as the winners of the newly re-named Brian McIntyre Media Relations award.
The staff, headed by Executive Director of Public Relations Raymond Ridder, won the award in balloting among more than 150 members of the PBWA for exemplary service in dealing with media that covers the league.
The award is now named after McIntyre, the NBA’s Senior Vice President of Basketball Communications. McIntyre has been with the league for more than 30 years and has developed and implemented many of the league's current communications and media relations policies and procedures. He created numerous awards, including the Sixth Man Award, the Defensive Player of the Year and the Most Improved Player. He was responsible for initiating White House visits by NBA championship teams, the creation of a media relations training tape for players, the institution of satellite postgame press conference feeds at major NBA events, and a host of other initiatives.
“We’re very proud and honoured to have our media relations award now named for Brian whose tireless efforts to make the relationship between the media, the league and its teams have earned him universal respect,” said Smith. “And Raymond and his staff are deserving winners of the first Brian McIntyre Award.”
The award was un-named when it was won in previous years by the staffs of the Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors and Portland Trail Blazers.