A Thunder victory
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) reacts after making a block as Denver's Arron Afflalo (6) reacts during the NBA basketball game between the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs at the Oklahoma City Arena, Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Denver Nuggets tonight to win their first playoff series since the franchise moved from Seattle. Here’s a couple of images from Wednesday night’s game. You can see all the images turned in by Staff Photographers Bryan Terry and Sarah Phipps by clicking here or read more about tonight’s game by clicking here.
Denver's Kenyon Martin (4), Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka (9) and Kevin Durant (35) hold Russell Westbrook (0) back after a being fouled by Denver's Nene (31) during the NBA basketball game between the Denver Nuggets and the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the NBA playoffs at the Oklahoma City Arena, Wednesday, April 27, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Meanwhile, back in Memphis…
Memphis Grizzlies' Tony Allen, top, flips over San Antonio Spurs' Manu Ginobili, of Argentina, during the second quarter of Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Wednesday, April 20, 2011, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
The Oklahoma City Thunder will play game 5 against the Denver Nuggets tonight at the OKC Arena. If they win tonight’s game, the Thunder will advance to the next round and face either the San Antonio Spurs or the Memphis Grizzlies. Here’s a couple of images from that series that you may not have seen. Check back late tonight for images from Game 5 in Oklahoma City, or follow this link to read more about the Thunder.
San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker (9), of France, gets an arm in the face from Memphis Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph, top right, during the first half of Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball series on Saturday, April 23, 2011, in Memphis, Tenn. Also defending for Memphis is Mike Conley (11). (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
San Antonio Spurs' Tony Parker (9), of France, drives to the basket as Memphis Grizzlies' Marc Gasol, left, of Spain, Tony Allen (9) and Mike Conley, right, defend during the first quarter of Game 2 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series, Wednesday, April 20, 2011, in San Antonio. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
-John Clanton
Thunder at the OKC Arena
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) reacts after dunking the ball in front of Denver's Raymond Felton (20) during the first round NBA basketball playoff game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Denver Nuggets on Saturday, April 20, 2011, at the Oklahoma City Arena. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The Oklahoma City Thunder just won game 2 of the first round of NBA Playoffs against the Denver Nuggets. Here’s a couple of images from tonight’s game at the OKC Arena in downtown Oklahoma City. You can see more images from the game by clicking here or you can follow this link to read more about the Thunder’s win over the Nuggets.
Oklahoma City fan Chris Morris "The Heckler" taunts a Denver player's free throw during the first round NBA Playoff basketball game between the Thunder and the Nuggets at OKC Arena in downtown Oklahoma City on Wednesday, April 20, 2011. The Thunder beat the Nuggets 106-89 and lead the series 2-0. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Best of Thunder
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant hangs on the rim after a dunk as New Jersey's Kris Humphries, left, Stephen Graham, and Devin Harris react during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the New Jersey Nets at the Oklahoma City Arena, Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Since the LA Lakers ended the Thunder season in April 2010, we’ve turned in over 1,300 pictures of the Oklahoma City Thunder. That number includes press conferences, appearances by players at schools and community centers, practices and, of course, all the games from the 2010-2011 season played at the OKC Arena.
We’ve gathered 104 of our favorite images and put them into a gallery that you can see by clicking here. To read more about the Thunder click here.
From left, Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook (0), Eric Maynor (6) and Kevin Durant (35) react after Westbrook made a shot and was fouled in the fourth quarter during the NBA basketball game between the Orlando Magic and Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma City, Thursday, January 13, 2011. Oklahoma City won, 125-124. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
James Harden poses for a photo during the Oklahoma City Thunder media day on Monday, Sept. 27, 2010, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka (9) blocks Utah's C.J. Miles (24) shot during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz, Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at the Oklahoma City Arena. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Thunder basketball
Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant (35) and Russell Westbrook (0) celebrate a point during the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Portland Trailblazers, Sunday, March 27, 2011, at the Oklahoma City Arena. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Staff Photographer Sarah Phipps covered the Thunder game against the Portland Trailblazers in Oklahoma City on Sunday night. The Thunder won the game, guaranteeing a spot in the NBA playoffs this season. You can see more of Sarah’s images by clicking here, or you can read more about the Thunder by clicking here.
Oklahoma City's Serge Ibaka (9) and Thabo Sefolosha (2) fights for a rebound with Portland's Wesley Matthews (2) and LaMarcus Aldridge (12) during the NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Portland Trailblazers, Sunday, March 27, 2011, at the Oklahoma City Arena. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
-John Clanton
Fashion, basketball and other recent assignments
Curbside advertiser Aaven Ross waves to traffic that passes by Liberty Tax Service at Pennsylvania Avenue and Hefner Road on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011, Oklahoma City Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
I have gathered up a few photos taken over the last few weeks that I thought you might enjoy. Some of the photos made it to publication in the Oklahoman and others did not, so there is a chance you might have seen a few of these already. Nevertheless, I thought they might be of some enjoyment even though it might be your second time to see them. I will do my best to make a consistent post once or twice a week to offer a closer look at photos you just might like. If you would like to see even more photos check out the Oklahoman Photo Gallery page as well.
Northwest Classen soccer player Ericka Ramirez poses for a photo with her father Luis at the Northwest Classen soccer field on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, in Moore, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Matt Shepard of Catoosa reacts after a first round loss to Tuttle's Isaac Beard in the in Class 4A 145 pound match during the 90th annual Oklahoma High School state wrestling tournament on Friday, Feb. 25, 2011, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Mood Retro Fashion Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Fort Gibson's Nana Wallace, front, celebrates with her teammates after the 52-51 overtime win over Cache during the championship game of the 4A girls state championship tournament at the Big House in the State Fair Park on Saturday, March 12, 2011, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Cache's Katelynn Martine (21) reacts after missing two free throws in the final second of the 52-51 overtime loss to Fort Gibson's Jodi Glover (14) and the Lady Tigers during the championship game of the 4A girls state championship tournament at the Big House in the State Fair Park on Saturday, March 12, 2011, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Corn Bible's Ellie Troyer (30) reacts after the 42-36 win over Timberlake as Lady Tiger Erin Overton (12) walks off the court during the opening round of the Oklahoma high school Class B girls state basketball tournament between the Corn Bible Academy and Timberlake High School at the Big House in State Fair Park on Thursday, March 3, 2011, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
Deer Creek Lamont fans show their school pride and cheer on the Lady Eagles during the opening round of the Oklahoma high school Class B girls state basketball tournament between Deer Creek Lamont and Erick at the Big House in State Fair Park on Thursday, March 3, 2011, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
-Chris Landsberger
Thunder and a gallery update
Oklahoma City's Russell Westbrook missed this shot as he is pressured by Toronto's defense during their NBA basketball game at the OKC Arena in downtown Oklahoma City on Sunday, March 20, 2011. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Last week a reader commented on this post, that I mentioned 250 images of the Devon Tower under construction but the provided gallery had only 16 pictures. With a construction site of that magnitude and several photographers getting pictures when they can, a Merlin search of the images starts to look a little redundant. I tried to find interesting pictures from different stages of the construction and from different vantage points around the city.
I’ll admit though, that 16 images is a very tight edit. Too tight probably. So, I went back through Merlin and grabbed a few more. Here’s a gallery that features 41 images from the construction of the Devon Tower. You can also click here to see all the images I tuned in from tonight’s Thunder game against the Toronto Raptors.
-John Clanton
Oklahoma March Madness
Stetson Clawson poses for a portrait Saturday, March, 12, 2011, at the State Fair Arena. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The high school basketball season came to end this weekend with the state basketball championships at the State Fair Arena and the Mabee Center in Tulsa. Oklahoma photographers Sarah Phipps and Chris Landsberger covered classes 2A, 3A, 4A at the arena while photographer Nate Billings covered classes 4A, 5A in Tulsa.
While at the Big House, Sarah and Chris explored the culture of fans by shooting portraits and collecting audio. See the photos and stories they discovered here.
Snyder basketball fan Tyler Roberts during the championship games of the Oklahoma state championship tournament at the Big House in the State Fair Park on Saturday, March 12, 2011, in Oklahoma City, Okla. Photo by Chris Landsberger, The Oklahoman
See all the high school basketball championships galleries by clicking here:
Ft. Gibson reacts to their win over Cache as Cache's Katelynn Martine (21) reacts in the 3A girls championship game, Saturday, March, 12, 2011, at the the State Fair Arena. Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman.
Edmond Memorial's Jared Jobe (5) celebrates as James Woodard (3), right, and Obi Emegano (15) hug at the end of the Class 6A boys basketball state championship game between Midwest City and Edmond Memorial at the Mabee Center in Tulsa, Okla., Saturday, March 12, 2011. Edmond Memorial won, 53-43. Photo by Nate Billings, The Oklahoman
- Sarah Phipps
More sports pictures
Garrison McCualey of Comanche celebrates after winning the Class 3A 160-pound match in the state wrestling tournament at State Fair Arena, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
If you’ve followed Alternate Crop at all, you’re aware that a healthy portion of our assignments are from sports events. We’re always looking for sports action pictures during these assignments, but getting storytelling images doesn’t stop just because we’re at a game or a match. A player’s reactions in those moments after a game can be even more important than a photo of him driving the lane.
Bryan Terry photographed the state high school wrestling championships last weekend. The pictures that stand out are the ones taken in the moment that the wrestlers become state champions. You can see the hours of training and the intensity of the tournament in Garrison McCualey’s face and body language as he celebrates his win. Meanwhile, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant celebrate an exciting and exhausting win over the Thunder. OU’s Carlee Roethlisberger comforts teammate Danielle Robinson after Robinson’s last second shot doesn’t fall and the Sooners lose to the Baylor Bears. In all these cases, whether the pictures were used in the newspaper or not, it’s the players’ reactions to the game that tells the story.
Oklahoma's Danielle Robinson reacts while teammate Carlee Roethlisberger tries to help her up following their women's college basketball game against Baylor at Lloyd Noble Center on the University of Oklahoma campus in Norman on Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. The Sooners lost to Baylor 82-81. Photo by John Clanton, The Oklahoman
Lakers' Pau Gasol (16) and Kobe Bryant (24) celebrate the Lakers' win as Oklahoma City's Nick Collison (4) and Thabo Sefolosha (2) walk off the court during the NBA basketball game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, at the Oklahoma City Arena.Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Conner Cline of Blackwell celebrates on top of Gunner Laffoon of Tuttle during the Class 4A 112-point match in the state wrestling tournament at State Fair Arena, Saturday, Feb. 26, 2011. Photo by Bryan Terry, The Oklahoman
Click these links to see photo galleries from Thunder against Lakers, high school wrestling, or OU women against Baylor.
-John Clanton
Remember the 10
Fans hold a sign during a ceremony at halftime honoring the ten men who died in the OSU plane crash. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Ten years ago today, 10 men with the Oklahoma State basketball program died in a plane crash while returning from a game against Colorado. OSU honored those who died with a ceremony retiring the No. 10 during halftime of last night’s basketball game against Texas. Here of some photos Sarah Phipps took at the game.
To see a gallery of more photos from last night’s ceremony and game, click here.
For videos and stories from The Oklahoman and NewsOK.com about the tenth anniversary of the crash, click here.
Former OSU head coach Eddie Sutton bows his head during a moment of silence before the basketball game between Oklahoma State and Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011, at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
A view of the memorial to the victims of the OSU plane crash, after the basketball game between Oklahoma State and Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011, at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
The No. 10 is retired during a halftime ceremony at the basketball game between Oklahoma State and Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011, at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Karlene Durfey pauses at the section of the OSU memorial for her brother, Kendall Carlton Durfey, before the basketball game between Oklahoma State and Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011, at Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
"Remember the 10" t-shirts sit on the seats of Gallagher-Iba Arena before the basketball game between Oklahoma State and Texas, Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011, Stillwater, Okla. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman
Click here for more photos. And see more of our coverage of the tenth anniversary of the OSU plane crash here.
-Nate Billings
