Miami Herald Photographers Capture Critical Moments At NBA Finals
MIAMI (CBS4) – Arguably the best seats in the house at the American Airlines Arena aren't the ones occupied by celebrities or wealthy socialites.
Instead, the seats that often see the most action aren't seats at all. It's usually just a cushion on the court where photographers from various news outlets sit to capture every instance of focus, intensity and athleticism on display during the NBA Finals.
For the past 25 years, C.W. Griffin has occupied one of those "seats". Covering the Miami Heat since the franchise's inception in 1988, Griffin has witnessed both of the team's national championships.
"It's kind of like hunting, when you go to a sporting event," Griffin told CBS 4's Lauren Pastrana. "There's plenty of game out there. Now it's up to you to capture it."
Griffin takes dozens of photos each game, but only the best of the best ever make it out of his computer and into the paper or one of the Miami Herald's online photo galleries.
"When you get that shot, it's exhilarating," Griffin explained. "And you're expected, every time, to get that shot. Failure is not an option."
At Sunday's game, it was his colleague Charles Trainor Jr. who captured the image of the night. The photo of LeBron James blocking a dunk attempt by San Antonio's Triago Splitter has gone viral online.
The "block seen 'round the world" made the cover of the Herald's Sports Section Monday, printed just hours after the Heat beat the Spurs 103-to-84.
Griffin is proud of his co-worker. He said covering the game is truly a team effort.
"Getting the front page shot is about when that play happens. Who happens to be on the court when it happens," Griffin said. "But when it happens, you are expected to have that picture."
Trainor admitted it felt good to have his picture lead the section. In fact, it was even featured on ESPN's Sportscenter Monday morning.
"From the other side of the court you could feel the velocity of the block," Trainor told Pastrana in a phone interview as he waited for his flight to San Antonio to take off. "When something like that happens, most photographers know they have something special."
It wasn't until after the game that the rest of his colleagues could breathe a sigh of relief knowing they got the shot.
"I go back in the editing suite and everybody is asking, 'Do you have the picture? Do you have the picture? Do you have the picture?' So I look at them and say 'I got the picture, but I lost my phone. Here's the card, I gotta go out there and find my phone!'"
Trainor found his phone and the Heat found the basket a few more times, creating the opportunity for some smiling photos at the end of the night.
