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.

As the ball hangs on the rim in the 1991 Finals, Magic Johnson (left) and Michael Jordan jostle for rebound position.

Kobe Bryant slices through the Celtics’ defense for a layup in the 2008 NBA Finals.

Kobe Bryant makes a dazzling behind-the-back pass to Shaquille O’Neal against the Indiana Pacers in the 2000 Finals.

The Lakers’ Kobe Bryant is clobbered as he drives to the basket against the Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals.

The Lakers’ Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (left) tosses up a sky hook over the Celtics’ Robert Parish in the 1987 Finals.

Larry Bird and Magic Johnson (right) pose for a photo before the 1984 Finals, which was their first Finals meeting.

In one of the more iconic images in NBA history, Magic Johnson (32) and Larry Bird box out for a rebound.

One of the Finals’ most memorable shots: Magic Johnson puts up his “junior” sky hook to sink Boston in Game 6 of the 1986 Finals.

The Rockets’ Hakeem Olajuwon swats away a shot by Patrick Ewing in Game 7 of the 1994 NBA Finals.

 

Hakeem Olajuwon (left) of the Rockets battles Shaquille O’Neal for a rebound in the 1995 NBA Finals.

The Spurs’ Tim Duncan goes up for a shot over the Pistons as San Antonio clinches the 2005 title in Game 7.

Tim Duncan, Finals MVP, and David Robinson celebrate after the Spurs clinched the 2005 NBA championship.

Be sure to check out NBA.com’s full feature on Andrew D. Bernstein’s career to date, courtesy of David Aldridge.