My edit for game three, a thrilling win for the Jazz with several key plays, tends toward the unusual and the spectacle. The last three shots focus on the three key plays that ended the game: Carlos Boozer’s dunk in the final minute, Kyle Korver reacting to Deron William’s key shot to put the Jazz up for good, and the fans’ reaction to Kobe Bryant’s miss at the buzzer.
So I think I found the image the sums up the Jazz-Lakers series. Kobe Bryant steals the ball from Carlos Boozer.
Was told to get a shot of Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant for an All Star Game package. This shot was taken during the pre-game national anthem. It was great luck to have those stars on the video strip in the background. Bad luck, however, when the photo was not published.
I like to aim for the storytelling sports photographs. Since the Jazz beat the Lakers, this one qualifies.
Caption:
The ball is swatted away from Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) as he’s triple-teamed by Utah Jazz forward C.J. Miles (34), Utah Jazz forward Kyle Korver (26), and Utah Jazz center Kosta Koufos (41).
Look at all the cameras around Kobe Bryant after the game ended. I guess still photography isn’t quite dead yet. I wasn’t as interested in Kobe as in the Jazz players, namely Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams, so I left the pack focused on Kobe and moved left.
Lucked into Boozer hugging former teammate Derek Fisher. For the rest of these photos I was on the opposite side of each situation from the other photographers, and that’s where I’m most comfortable.
Kobe came over and I just happened to be in place. I followed Boozer and he walked off the court with Williams.
That (above) seemed to be the perfect photo to mark the end of the season. The two best players on the team walking off together with some fans giving them a somewhat standing ovation. A good moment that tells the story.
They’ll be back next year. Season opener in November.
