Is this the coolest in-game photo ever taken?

Sedale Threatt · Post #221 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 2:53 pm

These aren't the best photos of all time but as a huge Magic Johnson fan, the guy who got me into basketball in the first place, I've always loved these. As somebody who works with sports photos, passes and blocked shots are some of the tougher things to capture because they're so spontaneous. But Magic obviously did it so much he's got a mountain of good ones.

(I could only find a screen grab of this ^ rather than the actual picture, which sucks. I've seen the original and it's a much wider, deeper picture so you get a much better sense of the court.)

Basketball is by faaaaaar the most photogenic sport I can think of. The athletes are so great and dynamic, and the lack of equipment and uniform cover really puts that center stage. Every night Giannis takes about 4-5 incredible photos where his length, power and athletic ability are just radiating off the screen. Jordan's got hundreds of pictures that would be a career highlight for most other players.

Sedale Threatt · Post #222 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 2:56 pm

billy bremner wrote:
The Greek god Nick Galis shooting over the Spanish wall, 1987

So good. Shades of:

payton2kemp · Post #223 » by **payton2kemp** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 3:12 pm

Castle Black · Post #224 » by **Castle Black** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 3:19 pm

GSWFan1994 · Post #225 » by **GSWFan1994** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 5:10 pm

Watch on YouTube

Kermit Washington's punch on Rudy Tomjanovich. One of the NBA's darkest hours.

For those who don't know about it, you can read more about it here.

This was hugely discussed in what I consider the greatest book written about the NBA, David Halberstam's "The Breaks of the Game".

Also, a whole book was dedicated to this incident, John Feinstein's "The Punch", which is wonderful as well.

Both essential readings for anyone who considers himself a NBA fan.

rockmanslim · Post #226 » by **rockmanslim** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 5:28 pm

WillyJakkz · Post #227 » by **WillyJakkz** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 6:59 pm

First Step wrote:
The great Artis Gilmore!

The white wristband makes it look like an arm going thru the backboard 2k glitch block

Sedale Threatt · Post #228 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 7:14 pm

Not in game but...

Larry had more hops than you think...

MavsDirk41 · Post #229 » by **MavsDirk41** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 7:31 pm

Sedale Threatt wrote:Not in game but...

Larry had more hops than you think...

I dont think any era of the nba tops those Celtics/Lakers rivalries of the 80s. Bird vs Magic. Showtime vs the grit of those Celtics teams.

MakeItSplash · Post #230 » by **MakeItSplash** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 7:38 pm

Sedale Threatt · Post #231 » by **Sedale Threatt** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 7:43 pm

MavsDirk41 wrote:
Sedale Threatt wrote:Not in game but...

Larry had more hops than you think...

I dont think any era of the nba tops those Celtics/Lakers rivalries of the 80s. Bird vs Magic. Showtime vs the grit of those Celtics teams.

The Lakers had a ton of grit too. Everybody gets hung up on the flash but that was a tough, hard-nosed team.

madmaxmedia · Post #232 » by **madmaxmedia** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 7:55 pm

Almost as great as this one
(This is for OP)

Calvin Klein · Post #233 » by **Calvin Klein** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 8:05 pm

queridiculo · Post #234 » by **queridiculo** » Thu Jun 1, 2023 8:26 pm

First Step · Post #235 » by **First Step** » Sun Nov 19, 2023 10:37 am

WillyJakkz wrote:
First Step wrote:
The great Artis Gilmore!

The white wristband makes it look like an arm going thru the backboard 2k glitch block

Wow, I didn’t even realize that. Makes it even better.

GregOden · Post #236 » by **GregOden** » Sun Nov 19, 2023 11:15 am

msanchez2725 wrote:

chitowndish · Post #237 » by **chitowndish** » Sun Nov 19, 2023 11:55 am

Love this thread, not in game but this is my favorite basketball picture.

For the purposes of the thread that LeBron picture is stunning just the framing of it and the scope is perfect.

Ritzo · Post #238 » by **Ritzo** » Sun Nov 19, 2023 2:50 pm

HotelVitale · Post #239 » by **HotelVitale** » Sun Nov 19, 2023 3:06 pm

NbaAllDay wrote:
iamworthy wrote:This came to my mind

This is the GOAT photo in this thread so far.

It has just about everything you want.
- Great composition and colouring
- Aethitically pleasing and Lebron/Ring/Central board all are aligned
- Give you that "this is my house" feel, and also an iconic feel with the banners in the background
- Everyone looks paused in the background, as if he is just floating there for an extra moment

Then you add the fact its a GOAT caliber player, he is in his mid to late 30s and still getting up that high.

The list goes on really, I know that seems a bit sappy but it jumps out far more than any other pic I have seen recently and becomes even better when you look at it more.

It's an epic photo but doesn't do that much for me. Unlike many others in here it tells no story, there aren't any interesting emotions or reactions on display, and it takes the characters out of the NBA. It makes Lebron look very cool but in an advertising-type way, or like something that'd be on the mantle at some rich guy's place. It captures this idea of 'greatness' that I find a little corny and that shaves off the complexity, fluidity, chaos, etc of the NBA and its players.

GSWFan1994 · Post #240 » by **GSWFan1994** » Sun Nov 19, 2023 4:09 pm

Honestly, this thread should go on forever... it's THAT good.