Tears flow down Michael Jordan’s face as he hugs the championship trophy in 1991 and is hugged by his father, James.
The NBA’s senior photographer for over 25 yrs, Andrew D. Bernstein has worked NBA sidelines, endlines & locker rooms with one singular, driving passion – the love of the game. That same inspiration earned him a rare permanent exhibit at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of fame.
In his own words: “Whoever said my job was “glamorous” wasn’t with me when I schlepped heavy cases as I raced through the airports of Shanghai, Dallas, Paris, Oklahoma City, Sydney, Minneapolis, Honolulu, Munich, Portland, Toronto and seemingly wherever else the NBA has reached throughout the world.”
“And guess what? I wouldn’t trade any single experience or my career for anything.”
“Covering the world’s greatest athletes is my passion. Sitting courtside, or in the “trenches,” my job is to capture in one frame these amazing athletes as they fly through the air with balletic grace en route to the basket and dunk over my head, or block a shot or celebrate a championship. Maybe that’s the “glamorous” part of my job, I don’t know. All I know is I love it.”
During the Lakers’ 1987 championship parade, coach Pat Riley famously promised that the team would repeat as champs.
Isiah Thomas, the 1989 Finals MVP, celebrates with teammates after bringing Detroit its first championship.
Magic Johnson surveys the defense under the watchful eye of Michael Jordan in the 1991 Finals.
