Aug 15, 2010 Favorites from the 2010 NBA Season
by Sam Sharpe on Jul.03, 2010, under NBA
March 9, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Tyrus Thomas (12) slams the basket home while playing against the Miami Heat at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
What a wild NBA Season! The Bobcats made the play-offs for the first time in the 6 year history of the Franchise, they beat Teams like the LA Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers, but then they lost to Teams like the New Jersey Nets. It was my first year shooting NBA Basketball, and I have to say that I loved it. I am finally glad to have the chance to shoot Sports other than the NFL and NASCAR Auto Racing. I went through my take for the whole Season and picked out some of the images that I really liked. There ended up being 71 images in total that I have posted here as favorites from the season, please take a look and feel free to leave comments, that is really the only way that I learn and improve………..I shot all of the Games with my Nikon D300 Camera Body. I really love this Body, but I think for 2011 I am going to have to purchase 2 D700 Camera Bodies and use one as a remote on the Basket, and hand hold one along with my D300. The Reason I like the D300 so much is the conversion factor for the sensor chip. I can literally shoot the whole game with my 70mm~200mm f2.8 lens. It works well for the far end of the Court, and i can make it work on the end that I am sitting on. My 17mm~35mm f2.8 works very well with the D300 Body, although my 28mm~70mm works even better. All the images in this blog were shot with either my 300mm f2.8, my 70mm~200mm f2.8, my 17mm~35mm f2.8, or my 28mm~70mm f2.8. The above shot of Tyrus Thomas (12) dunking the ball was shot with my 17mm~35mm f2.8. I shoot everything in Time Warner Cable Arena at ISO 2000. I started off shooting at a shutter speed of 1000 with my f-stop at 2.8, but as time rolled on and I got used to the game, I was able to shoot at ISO 1600, and my shutter speed @ 640, and my f-stop at 3.2. I learned to shot “personalities” as well as action. I soon learned that the personality shots sold better than the action shots as a whole. But I still love to capture the action of the game. All of these were shot with the available light in the Arena. I did not hook up to any strobes, although I am sure that I caught some light in some of them. Please take a look and feel free to leave a comment. I try to learn from what other people see. The “Art of the Dunk” is very cool. I love to photograph these guys as they seem to just fly, and then slam the ball home.
December 15, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace (3) goes up for the slam dunk against the New York Knicks at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
March 1, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Raymond Felton (20) jams a dunk home while playing against the Dallas Mavericks at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
The following Image was shot with my 17mm~35mm Lens. I love this Lens with the D300 Camera Body. The combination just seems to work well under the basket.
March 12, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace (3) drives to the basket while playing against the Los Angeles Clippers at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
These next 2 images were shot with my 28mm~70mm Lens. That lens seem to work out very well with the D300.
January 12, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace (3) goes for the lay up against Shane Battier (31) of the Houston Rockets while playing at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
December 28, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace (3) scores against Carlos Delfino (20) while playing against the Milwaukee Bucks at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
I really liked the following Image……I caught Stephen Graham (23) on the block as Sheldon Williams (13) tries to dunk the ball.
December 1, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics forward Sheldon Williams (13) gets rejected by Charlotte Bobcat Stephen Graham (23) against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Celtics win 108 to 90. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
I really like these next to shots. The are shot with my 17mm~35mm…..I love the “dramatic feel” to them. I usually catch the players with their backs to me on stuff like this….but these seem to work out.
December 22, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey (3) drives past Nazr MoHammed (13) while playing the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 88 to 76. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
December 22, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Detroit Pistons center Chris Wilcox (9) drives past Gerald Wallace (3) while playing the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Final Score Bobcats 88 Pistons 76. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
The thing that moved me on this next image is how Wilson Chandler (1) has his eyes closed. I have never caught a player going up for a dunk with his eyes closed…..just something different.
December 15, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; New York Knicks guard forward Wilson Chandler (21) drives past Raymond Felton (20) while playing against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 97 to 84. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
I think that these next 3 are just solid good Dunk Images. The one of Gerald Wallace (3) is just so classic. This guy is a great player, anytime I can catch a full length dunk like this, I am happy.
December 1, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Raymond Felton (20) against the Boston Celtics at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
February 16, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Ronald Flip Murray (22) drives to the basket while playing against the New Jersey Nets at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
April 6, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace (3) while playing against the Atlanta Hawks at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 109 to 100. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
The human element of the game can really produce some very cool images. The way Players (and Coaches) react to the heat and passion of the game is a very much important element to the Editorial Content of the take. These images tend to produce more sales than the pretty images of dunks, so it is important to capture them. The following are some images that I captured during the course of the season. Some have been published and some have not, but I like all of them: 
Apr 26, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Gordon is angry with a call by an official while his team plays against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter in game four of the first round of the 2010 NBA playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
December 1, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats center Nazr Mohammed (13) against the Boston Celtics at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
I love this next image. Raymond Felton (20) and Kobe Bryant (24) had been at each other all game. Here it seemed to come to a head. Raymond Felton had just had enough, and he was letting Kobe know all about it.
March 5, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Raymond Felton (20) argues with Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (24) while playing against the Los Angeles Lakers at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 98 to 83. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
March 9, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard forward Stephen Jackson (1) fires the crowd up while playing against the Miami Heat at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 83 to 78. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
January 20, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Raymond Felton (20) while playing against the Miami Heat at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
In this next Image, Michael Gordon was letting Dave Hanners who is the assistant Coach know that he better not do anything to get ejected from the game. The Head Coach, Larry Brown had just gotten ejected for mouthing off to a referee. It made of an interesting shot.
April 2, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats assistant coach Dave Hanners talks with Michael Jordan while his team plays against the Milwaukee Bucks at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win in over time 87 to 86. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
In this next image, Labron James is clearly disturbed about something. I caught him having a fit at the Referee.
February 19, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) protests a call while playing against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
Vince Carter was clearly ready to fight in this next image. He had dominated the whole court in game 4 of the playoffs against Charlotte. It had gotten to the point that the Bobcats were clearly fouling him and he was done with it. I think that his anger shows in this image.
Apr 26, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Orlando Magic guard forward Vince Carter (15) is held back by an official after a foul by the Charlotte Bobcats center Tyson Chandler (6) during the second half in game four of the first round of the 2010 NBA playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Magic win 99 to 90. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
December 1, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett (5) against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
In this next image, Gerald Wallace was clearly frustrated with his Team, he very much is a leader in the court, and it is very rare that you see this from him.
December 22, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace (3) against the Detroit Pistons at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
In this next shot, Labron James seems to be taunting the Bobcats. I don’t think it worked out too well since the Bobcats beat them during this game.
November 27, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 94 to 87. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
In this next image, I love the look on Labron James’s (24) face. Gerald Wallace (3) got away from him to take the shot……and he knew it. Too bad Labron! 
When the Miami Heat came to town, the Bobcats really took it to them. The Bobcats were able to disrupt and confuse the Heat’s offense all night long. The frustration began to show with the heat. The folling image is a perfect example.
March 9, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) while playing against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 83 to 78. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
Shaquille O’Neal has always been a favorite player of mine. I think that the guy is a great Basketball player, as well as a great ambassador of the Sport off of the Court. I just really liked these two images of him.
March 1, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Dallas Mavericks guard Jose Barea (11) while playing against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
In this next image, you can clearly see that he is frustrated……..rightfully so, the Bobcats beat the Cavs in this matchup.
February 19, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal (33) while playing against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 110 to 93. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
I really love this next image. It got a lot of airpaly on different Sports websites. In this image, both Shaq (33) and Labron James (24) are clearly confused on why the Bobcats are just putting it to them. I really do not think that they were stunned, but it was more like what are we going to do? They never really figured it out, the Cavaliers lost the game.
February 19, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal (33) and forward Labron James (23) wait for the play to begin while playing the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 110 to 93. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
In these next 2 images, Dwight Howard (12) has clearly become agitated at Theo Ratlff (42) of the Bobcats. I really thought this was going to get physical, but cooler heads took over. Dewight Howard is a great player, but he is so big that the referees just seemed to see everything that he does. In this case, Theo Ratliff was really pushing his buttons…..it made for an interesting confrontation on the court.
Apr 24, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) is upset after a foul call against him involving the Charlotte Bobcats center Theo Ratliff (42) during the second half in game three of the first round of the 2010 NBA playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Magic win 90 to 86. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
Apr 26, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard (12) is unhappy with a call against him while playing the Charlotte Bobcats during the second half in game four of the first round of the 2010 NBA playoffs at Time Warner Cable Arena. The Magic win 99 to 90. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
Like I said before, this Season was my first real time shooting Basketball. I really enjoyed it. One of the things that I learned was that Basketball is a very physical game. It seems that the NBA takes it to a whole new level than college when it comes to the intensity of the play, and to the physical strength of the players. I have been a college fan for years, but this year really brought me around to the NBA. It is just amazing to see how these guys will go after each other. It makes for some really great photography. I was lucky enough to catch some of it. In this next series of images, I really want to show how physical it can get…….I hope that I have succeeded in it.
April 6, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Atlanta Hawks forward Marvin Williams (24) while playing against the Charlottte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
November 25, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Toronto Raptors forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu (44) against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Final score Bob cats 116 Raptors 81. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
In this next image, Gerald Wallace (3) just gets “slammed” to the ground as he goes to take a shot. This had to hurt!
November 27, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace (3) against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
April 2, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Tyrus Thomas (12) gets fouled by Milwaukee Bucks Andrew Bogut (6) while playing at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
These next 2 images are from a series of Boris Diaw (32) and Josh Smith (5) in a tussel for a loose ball.
April 6, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Boris Diaw (32) and Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith (5) fight for the ball while playing at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 109 to 100. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
April 6, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Boris Diaw (32) and Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith (5) fight for the ball while playing at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 109 to 100. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
February 19, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal (33) gets blocked by Charlotte Bobcats forward Tyrus Thomas (12) while playing against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 110 to 93. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
December 1, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Boston Celtics forward sheldon Williams (13) gets rejected by Charlotte Bobcat Stephen Graham (23) against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Celtics win 108 to 90. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
December 22, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Detroit Pistons guard Richard Hamilton (32) fouls Bobcats Gerald Wallace while playing the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
In this next image, Stephen Graham (23) comes charging out of bounds to save a ball and keep it in play………..I was really not supposed to be where I was to take this picture, but hay, you gotta do what you gotta do! I don’t recommend being here in the future.
December 22, 2009; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Stephen Graham (23) goes after the rebound against the Detroit Pistons at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
January 5, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats forward Gerald Wallace (3) gets fouled while playing against the Chicago Bulls at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
February 16, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez (11) gets fouled by Stephen Jackson (1) while playing against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena. Nets win 103 to 94. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
January 5, 2010; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard forward Stephen Jackson (1) holds his thumb after jamming it while playing against the Chicago Bulls at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe/www.TheSharpeImage.com
