1650http://fullcourtpress.kingsconnect.com/archives/165Dinner+and+a+Lottery2008-05-22+01%3A35%3A46Andrew+Nicholson

Dinner and a Lottery

Margie arrived at NBA studios in Secaucus, N.J., with the biggest entourage of any team rep in attendance. She was quickly greeted by NBA personnel, given her all-access credential and whisked off to the hospitality tent.

While the eventual drama unfolded later in the studio, much of the evening’s excitement took place in the hospitality tent that looked more like it belonged at the U.S. Open rather than connected to the studio in rainy New Jersey. Inside the 40-yard long and 50-foot wide tented-area was every type of food you could imagine. Cedar-planked salmon, chicken, roast beef, turkey and every type of pasta dish that would make even Tony Soprano’s mouth water.

After getting a rundown of the night’s activities, Margie was greeted by Kings co-owner Joe Maloof, who quickly took on the role of chaperone and escorted her all around the tent, introducing her to every big name in attendance. She had personal conversations with Mike Dunleavy, Larry Bird, Jay-Z, David Stern, Mitch Richmond and Dwyane Wade to name a few. Also receiving a lot of media attention in the tent were new Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni, new Knicks GM Donnie Walsh and young stars Kevin Durant and Rudy Gay.

Margie wasn’t the only Parilo to be blown away by the generosity of all the celebs in attendance, however. Her husband, Mike, her son John and her two daughters — Theresa and Michelle — all mingled with the crowd and took enough photos to fill the next family album.

By the time she was finished in the tent, Margie, who was featured throughout last week by local media in Sacramento, had become a savvy media pro. She conducted interviews with ESPN, NBA.com and several other outlets in attendance. Then it was time for the biggest stage of all.

Following the three hours of eating, mingling and photo ops, it was finally time for her to make her national television debut. Before a live national audience watching on ESPN, Margie made her family and all Kings fans proud by representing the team with pride at the Lottery while being flanked by Bird and Jay-Z and even flawlessly conducting a live interview with ESPN’s Doris Burke during the show.

Thanks, Margie, for representing the Kings and making all of Sacramento proud!

Day Two Photo Gallery