Best of 2008: Sports photography

Pau Gasol of the Lakers lets out a yell after scoring in the first period over Boston’s Paul Pierce in Game 5 of the NBA Finals at Staples Center.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Shane Mosley knocks the sweat off of Ricardo Mayorga in a boxing match at Home Depot Center in September.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant of the Lakers dunks after a steal in the fourth quarter of Game 5 of the NBA Finals.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

UCLA running back Kahlil Bell knocks the helmet off of Fresno State linebacker Chris Carter in the first half of a September college football game at the Rose Bowl.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Delwyn Young of the Dodgers, left, celebrates with James Loney after sweeping the Chicago Cubs in the National League division series.  (Alex Gallardo / Los Angeles Times)

China’s Yimei Wang towers over U.S. defenders as she spikes the ball during a women’s volleyball match at the Beijing Summer Olympics. The U.S. won the match.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Lamar Odom of the Lakers gets held by Robert Horry of the San Antonio Spurs as Manu Ginobili dives for the loose ball in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals in May.  (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Angels left fielder Gary Matthews Jr. holds on to a pop fly by Oakland A’s catcher Kurt Suzuki during a game in August.  (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

Crespi running back Brad Lattanzio is upended by the St. Bonaventure defense in the second quarter of Crespi’s 31-14 loss in a high school football game in September.  (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Lamar Odom of the Lakers falls into the lap of Coach Phil Jackson while trying to retrieve a loose ball during an April playoff game against the Denver Nuggets.  (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

Kobe Bryant of the Lakers is photographed after a U.S. men’s basketball team practice in July. Best of 2008 Photography >>> Best of 2008 Main >>>  (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)