NY Knicks: Scenes from Kemba Walker & Evan Fournier press conference

The NY Knicks held their introductory press conference for Kemba Walker and Evan Fournier late Tuesday morning and there was a giddy excitement that permeated throughout the room.

Walker and Fournier fielded questions from reporters before officially being introduced. The two newest Knicks answered questions about their free agency process, their fit with New York’s roster, and how exciting it is to play in NYC.

NY Knicks: Kemba Walker & Evan Fournier make it official

We’ve seen the photos of them signing the contracts, but it’s a different feeling when you actually see them hoisting their new jerseys next to Tom Thibodeau, Leon Rose, and Scott Perry.

Kemba Walker spent a ton of time fielding questions about what it felt like to be returning home. How it felt for him to be a native New Yorker coming to play for the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The muscles on his face must have hurt from all of the smiling.

Kemba Walker said the feeling of coming home was “The most unreal feeling” and at times, he looked at a loss for words when reporters asked him if ever thought this was possible.

Walker clearly recognizes just how much hype there is surrounding this team and city, and said: “We have the best fans in the world”.

Evan Fournier relayed that same feeling about playing in NYC, saying that the Garden was his “favorite arena”.

The feeling of antsy exuberance was palpable throughout the broadcast. We may have seen more smiles out of Tom Thibodeau in those 30 minutes than we did all of last season.

When asked if he was going to play in back-to-backs (Walker sat out the 2nd game of back-to-backs last season with the Celtics) Walker simply dished the question over to coach Thibs. His response?

Kemba did address his knee and said It “feels great” and that it really didn’t affect his on-court performance last season.

Both Fournier and Walker seemed ready to get going and happy to be playing for coach Thibodeau.

Fournier detailed how tough the NY Knicks were to play against last season and that he’s ready to work. 

Kemba said he’s known and been around Thibodeau for a long time. His former long-time coach Steve Clifford and Thibodeau were good friends, so he would frequently see him in Charlotte.

On reaching out to other players, Walker said he and Julius Randle have texted and that he’s been watching the team’s young players in the NBA Summer League and has been impressed with what he’s seen.

Fournier stated that he was hard to get a hold of in Japan but is ready to get going with his new teammates.

Between Thibodeau, Rose, and Perry wearing matching long sleeve Knicks shirts, laughing along in the audience, and Kemba and Fournier’s uncontrollable smiles as they flexed their new Knicks threads for the concluding photo op, this press conference had exhilarating energy.

*Amar’e Stoudemire Voice* The Knicks are back.