Lengendary broadcaster Chick Hearn is in critical condition at a local hospital following a fall in which he hit his head. On 8/3 he underwent two surgeries to stop internal bleeding.

During the early 1960s, his work on the radio ("Jerry West yo-yos the ball left to right across your radio dial," "Elgin Baylor lifts off & hangs in the air long without wires") made Laker games come alive. I am convinced that Lakers' popularity in LA is tied directly to the mesmerizing work of Chick Hearn.

~Adam

Chick died, I hope the LAKERS dedicate next season to him!

42 years without missing a game. Amazing.

I can't think of an 85-year old that I know (or have known) that was as lively as Chick.

A loss for the Lakers, the NBA, and sports in general.

It is heartening that, following his surgery earlier in the season, Chick Hearn was ale to return to the game and bask in the fans' applause & appreciation. So often it seems these figures--people who never play the game but foster its growth & success by painting vivid, indelible images of the action--are taken for granted until after they die.

For a few years, there had been talk of Chick retiring. Sportstalk radio & columnists would point out that he was getting slower and perhaps out-of-touch with the players & his audience. Though the points were well made, often the critics failed to acknowledge the tremendous debt the Lakers (and basketball, in general) owed to Chick Hearn.


~Adam

We in the Los Angeles area have been very lucky to have great announcers such as Chick Hearn. He at one time was actually an officer (Vice President) in the Laker organization. It still did not stop him from openly criticizing the play of the team or its coaching staff when it was deserved.

He coined so many imaginative phrases that gave the listener such a colorful image of the game going on at hand - when a player commited a turnover because he was trying to show off, Chick would announce that "the mustard has fallen off the hot dog". A player on the first championship teams of the 80's, I believe last name Wilkes, had a great shooting percentage when left alone 20 feet from the basket and Chick would call out "20 foot layup by Wilkes is good!". Magic started many offensive sets by dribbling at the top of the key and "placing the ball in the popcorn machine". "Dribble drive" was another favorite of his.

Another indication to show just how much loved and revered here in Southern California: About 4 years ago Chick was exasperated by an offical call which he thought was ticky tack. He followed up by yelling "I've hit my wife harder than that!" I was sure controversy would have been made of such comments. It probably did spawn some phone calls to the radio/televsion stations but no negative publicity came of it. I am not so sure other announcers would get off so easily in this day and age of great sensitivity and political correctness.