Laker broadcaster Chick Hearn dies at 85

NORTHRIDGE, Calif., Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Legendary play-by-play announcer Chick Hearn, who made phrases like "slam dunk," "ticky-tack foul," and "air ball" common basketball expressions during his 42-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers, died Monday. He was 85.

Hearn was pronounced dead at 6:30 p.m. at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, three days after suffering a brain injury in a fall at his home.

"This is not a good day for Laker fans ... quite simply, he was the best," Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak said outside the Northridge hospital.

Laker owner Jerry Buss, who was traveling in London, said it was "impossible to express the depth of our sorrow."

"What Chick has meant to the Lakers and the popularity of NBA basketball in Los Angeles can never be overestimated," Buss said in a statement. "His 'words'-eye view' is as responsible for the success as any of the great players who have worn a Laker uniform. We will be forever grateful to him."

Former Laker Elgin Baylor called Hearn a "wonderful person."

"He was a compassionate and lovable person who really cared about people," Baylor said. "It's a real tremendous loss. He'll be with us in spirit. It was just wonderful knowing him and his family."

The Hall of Fame broadcaster underwent a pair of surgeries Saturday to alleviate brain hemorrhaging but he remained in a coma and doctors termed his condition "beyond critical" earlier Monday.

"His neurological functioning has deteriorated overnight," neurosurgeon Asher Taban said at a news conference Monday morning. "We have examined him frequently and unfortunately we haven't seen any sign of recovery. I would say he is beyond critical (condition). I'm not sure the terminology you would use. You could call it grave."

Hearn underwent surgery Saturday to relieve intercranial bleeding in his cranium. The second alleviated a blood clot in his brain.

Taban said at that time that Hearn's prognosis was "not good."

Paramedics rushed to Hearn's home in Encino shortly before 8 p.m. EDT on Friday after his wife, Marge, and neighbors saw him fall in his yard.

This was the latest in a series of health problems Hearn has suffered in recent months. He underwent heart surgery last December and hip surgery in March, but returned in time to broadcast the Lakers' playoff run to their third straight NBA title.

Hearn's streak of broadcasting 3,338 games over 36 years ended when he missed a contest against the Houston Rockets on Dec. 20 to undergo heart surgery to repair a blocked aortic valve.

In his 42nd year behind the microphone, Hearn became just the third broadcaster inducted to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991. His remarkable streak of Lakers' games began on Nov. 20, 1965.

Hearn has been a part of nine championships. Some of the Lakers stars whose games he has described are Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, James Worthy, Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

In a statement, NBA Commissioner David Stern said generations of fans were introduced to the NBA by Hearn's voice.

"From Wilt and West to magic and Kareem to Shaq and Kobe, Chick was a fixture as the 'Voice of the Lakers' and a legend in his profession," Stern said. "His colorful descriptions of the game transcended the sport and have an indelible influence on basketball and broadcasting itself."

Former UCLA All-American and NBA analyst Bill Walton said Hearn taught him how to play basketball.

"He also taught me how to think about the game, ultimately showing me how to love a world that has become my life," said Walton.

Born Francis Dayle Hearn on Nov. 27, 1916. Chick grew up in Aurora, Ill. And attended Bradley University. He was given the nickname "Chick" when, as an AAU basketball player, he was handed a box of sneakers only to be surprised to find a chicken inside.

Six years ago, Chick's hometown saluted him for his career and proclaimed June 3 as "Chick Hearn Day" in the city from that point forward.

He first landed in Los Angeles in 1956 and initially broadcast USC football and basketball. And later did a nightly radio sports show that earned him two Emmy Awards in the 1960's.

Although best known for his work with the Lakers, Chick also broadcast University of Nevada Las Vegas basketball, PGA golf tournaments, the first Ali-Frazier fight and most recently, Los Angeles Sparks games.

In 1986, he was honored with a star bearing his name on Hollywood Boulevard's "Walk of Fame."

His death leaves Los Angeles with two Hall of Fame broadcasters, Bob Miller of the Kings and Vin Scully of the Dodgers.

"Chick had immense talent that was driven by a tremendous work ethic and an insurmountable passion for the game and his trade," Scully said in a statement. "His personality, character, and professionalism will be greatly missed, yet his spirit, importance, and impact will live forever."

Bob Miller said he was devastated by the news.

"Twenty-nine years ago Chick was the one who recommended me for the Kings play-by-play job and he has been a dear friend ever since," Miller said in a statement released by the Kings. "I can't believe all that happened to him in the past year, but at least his final broadcast was another championship."

Chick is survived by his wife, Marge and a granddaughter, Shannon. The Hearns had two children, but both died. The two would have celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary on Aug. 13.

Funeral arrangements were incomplete.