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The Quest for the Next Chick Hearn
The Lakers have officially fired Paul Sunderland as their television play-by-play man today, bringing an end to a tenure marked by an average man's inability to live up to legend.We've commented on Paul Sunderland at length in the past. No one thinks he's a bad announcer. LAist thinks he's average, passable for most teams, and all-around good guy. But no broadcaster would ever want to follow the greatest basketball announcer of all-time, and Sunderland was stuck.
The Lakers are now plagued by this burden to find someone who can measure up to Chick Hearn. Finding one is extremely difficult. LAist still believes that any Los Angeles sports announcer has to be one of the absolute best in his sport. Vin Scully and Bob Miller are a testament to our high standards. LAist has already endorsed Bob Miller for the Lakers job.
But whomever the Lakers hire, must be the cream of the crop.
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Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
