You’ve seen the shot. Kobe Bryant standing on the scorer's table, arms outstretched, jaw clenched, as confetti falls like snow in the Staples Center—now Crypto.com Arena. It is maybe the most famous of all images of the Lakers, a frozen moment of pure, unadulterated triumph from the 2010 Finals. But honestly? Most people looking at these photos miss the real story behind the lens. They see the glory, but they don't see the exhaustion, the weird locker room tension, or the sheer luck it takes to be in the right spot when history happens.
Lakers photography isn't just about catching a dunk. It’s a specialized art form that has documented everything from George Mikan’s thick-rimmed glasses in the 1950s to the bizarre, high-tech 180-degree immersive views we’re getting in 2026.
The Secret Architect of the Lakers' Visual History
If you look at the corner of almost any legendary Lakers photo, you'll see a tiny credit: Andrew D. Bernstein. This guy has been the "fly on the wall" for over 40 years. He’s the one who captured the 2001 image of Kobe sitting in a shower stall, fully clothed, cradling the Larry O'Brien trophy with a look of total melancholy on his face.
People always think that photo was a planned "moody" shoot. It wasn't.
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Bernstein actually found Kobe tucked away in the back of the locker room, hiding from the champagne-soaked chaos out front. He took two frames, no flash, terrified the click of the shutter would break the moment. That’s the difference between a generic sports snap and real art. It’s the stuff that makes images of the Lakers feel human instead of like corporate marketing.
Why Some Famous Photos Feel Different Now
History is kinda funny because it changes how we view an image. Take the 1987 "Baby Hook" photo of Magic Johnson. At the time, it was just a great action shot of a win over the Celtics. Today? It’s the definitive proof of the "Showtime" era's dominance.
Then you have the 2020 "Bubble" championship photos. Looking at LeBron James holding the trophy in an empty gym in Orlando feels surreal now. There’s a starkness to those images—no fans, just the bright yellow jerseys against a dark, artificial background. It’s a visual reminder of a weird time that we’ll probably never see again.
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Iconic Moments You’ve Probably Seen
- Jerry West’s Silhouette: We literally see it every day. The NBA logo is based on a photo of West, though the league famously refuses to officially admit it to avoid royalty issues.
- Shaq and Kobe’s Alley-Oop: The 2000 Western Conference Finals. Shaq’s mouth is wide open, eyes bulging, pointing at the sky. It’s the image of a dynasty being born.
- The Skyhook: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s silhouette against the hoop. It’s mathematically perfect.
The 2025-26 Season: A New Visual Era
Things have changed a lot lately. If you've been looking for recent images of the Lakers from the current 2025-26 season, you've probably noticed a shift. The team has been through it this year. LeBron James missed the start of the season with that nagging sciatica issue on his right side, meaning a lot of the early-season photography focused on the bench or Bronny James’s development.
There was that one shot from the South Bay Lakers G League stint that went viral—LeBron sitting on a folding chair in a small gym, looking like a regular "AAU dad" while watching his son. It’s a weird contrast to the usual glitz of a Lakers home game.
And let’s talk about the court. The 2025 NBA Cup court design (the one fans called "gorgeous" on social media) changed the whole vibe of the photos. Instead of the classic center-court logo, we got that massive "LA" with the cup behind it. It looks sharp in high-res, but it definitely messes with the traditionalists who want the old-school purple and gold look.
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How to Tell a Real Icon from a Snapshot
Not every photo of a Laker is a "Lakers photo." You know? A real one captures the "Laker-ness"—that specific blend of Hollywood ego and elite basketball.
- The Lighting: The Forum and the modern arena have a "theatrical" lighting setup. The crowd is dimmed, and the court is bright. It makes every photo look like it's taking place on a stage.
- The Emotion: Look for the "after-math" shots. The best photographers, like Adam Pantozzi or Nathaniel S. Butler, stay on the players after the whistle. That's when you get the raw stuff.
- The Context: A photo of Luka Doncic (who is now a teammate of LeBron, which still feels weird to type) passing to a cutting AD is great, but it’s the reaction of the bench in the background that tells the story of the team chemistry.
Where Everyone Goes to Find These Images
If you're looking for high-quality stuff, don't just use a basic search engine. Most of the official, high-resolution images of the Lakers live in specific archives.
- NBA Photo Store: This is where you find the stuff you can actually hang on a wall. They’ve got everything from the Minneapolis era (George Mikan) to the "Big Game James" Worthy era.
- Getty Images (Editorial): This is where the pros go. If you want to see the 1972 championship parade or Wilt Chamberlain hanging out at home with his dogs (real photos, by the way, taken by Stephen Green-Armytage), this is the spot.
- Immersive 180-degree Views: In 2026, we’re seeing a rise in Apple Vision Pro "courtside" captures. These aren't just flat photos; they’re immersive files that let you turn your head and see the celebrity row (like Flea or Jack Nicholson) while the game is happening.
Actionable Tips for Lakers Fans and Collectors
If you're trying to build a collection or just want better wallpaper for your phone, keep these things in mind:
- Check the Metadata: If you're buying a digital "collectible" or print, look for the photographer's name. A Bernstein or a Pantozzi print holds its value way better than a generic wire service shot.
- Look for "The Grammy Road Trip" shots: These are usually taken in February when the Lakers are forced out of LA. They often capture the team in more intimate, gritty settings in cities like Cleveland or New York, away from the Hollywood polish.
- Vary Your Search: Don't just search for "Lakers photos." Search for "Lakers locker room 1980s" or "Lakers practice 2026." The behind-the-scenes stuff is where the personality is.
Next time you’re scrolling through images of the Lakers, try to look past the jersey. Look at the sweat, the lighting, and the way the photographer framed the moment. The Lakers aren't just a team; they’re a visual brand that has defined how we view basketball for nearly eighty years.
To get the most out of your search, start by looking into the "Legends of Sport" archives or checking out the official NBA Photo Store's 2026 "Season in Review" collection to see how the LeBron-Luka era is being documented in real-time.