The San Antonio Spurs have owned the Jazz for several years, perhaps best demonstrated by their embarrassing sweep of the Jazz from the first round of last year's playoffs. The only game in recent history the Jazz have won was last spring when Popovich left Duncan, Parker and Ginobli back in Texas. Last night, the Jazz had the lead at the half but lost it (no surprise) and were down by 8 with about 4 minutes left. The Spurs don't lose a lead like that. But last night they did, and Mo Williams hit a rainbow 3 as the buzzer sounded to break a tie and give the Jazz an unlikely and much needed win. It was a late game (8:30 mountain time start), televised on ESPN. Enough excitement to keep everyone awake! Here are 7 shots. C&C welcome.
Oodles of jube in that last shot. I see you found another way to turn those annoying ads to your advantage, (to actually add something) Deserves the blue ribbon that threads it's way through
Another killer set as always. The expressions in this set are definitely my favorite aspect. Nice to see Green giving affection during a free throw in Number 1!
I can only imagine how much of a pain other media (video) guys are, especially an ESPN televised game photo bombing your shots (not intentionally).
Thanks, Mark. Yeah, Mo was clutch. I'm sure I wasn't alone if thinking he was just going to let the clock run out--seemed to take forever for him to get that shot off!
rrxjon: Very poetic! Thank you.
Manny: Thanks for your comments. It is less than ideal to have other mediamen showing up in the photos, but at this point it's a fact of life (I guess). The frustrating part is when the guy immediately to the left of my shooting position with the huge video camera on his shoulder doesn't stay behind the designated line while shooting the game. Makes it very difficult for me to shoot in that direction without having my view blocked by him.
Thank you, Bill.
mike: Yeah, I'm sure Tony would love to see it. Thanks.
Thanks, Chris. It was a surprising level of group emotion that lasted quite a while. I guess that was proportionate to the excitement of finally beating the Spurs at full strength!
One more subtle jube shot. This was Mo's walking reaction to hitting the game winner.
Very nice set of pics again as usual from Russ. Nice capture of Mo Williams elation. You are really making it hard for me to resist on getting the 1DX.
At least Tony Parker can act better than Eva Longoria.
What happened to the flopping rule put in by the league?
Great set, and must have been great to be at a game like that! I was shooting a local HS football game when that kid kicked the national record field goal a few months ago... Electric atmosphere!
An aside: After reading your comments on a post over on SS, I assume you are not strobing?
Jerry: I was wondering about that flopping rule during the game. I noticed a similar strategy when Orlando played Utah. As soon as guys feel contact, they throw up their arms and let out a loud yell. Might as well just let them carry a whistle! Thanks for your comments. Oh, and about that 1DX......easy to understand the resistance, but it's a mighty fine camera.
Thanks, Ted!
Guy: Thanks. Glad you liked those two shots that shared a bit of the atmosphere.
Paul: I am not strobing. Just one shooter uses strobes in that arena, and she shoots for the NBA and the Jazz. Newspaper guys say they have strobes in the arena but choose not to use them. I'm sure it would be nice to have pure, predictable light, but going with ambient isn't bad. Thanks for your feedback. A national record field goal in a high school game sounds exciting. If the atmosphere was electric, that means everyone knew he was going for the record, which adds pressure, which increases the intensity, and on and on...
Ironically, in that game, I figured on a hail Mary, so I was behind the end zone. When I realized they were kicking, it was way too late to run around the end zone plus 40 more yards carrying a 300 f2.8 and a 70-200 over my shoulder! Coulda shoulda woulda...
