STU'S-EYE VIEW IN HIS 20TH SEASON AS THE LAKERS' GAME ANALYST, LANTZ PROUD TO BE VIEWERS' LAST REAL LINK TO CHICK HEARN.

Byline: TOM HOFFARTH

Stu Lantz pulled out his wallet and flipped through some business cards and notes he had tucked inside until he found what he was looking for: Chick Hearn's press pass.

It was the last one that the Basketball Hall of Fame announcer used, as if he needed one, to get into Staples Center and through the Chick Hearn Media Room, before he'd head to center court to do play-by-play on Lakers games.

It's coming up on five years since Hearn passed away after more than 42 seasons teaching Los Angeles the game of basketball.

"He's always close to me," said Lantz, about an hour before tipoff for Tuesday's Lakers-Knicks game, holding the plastic-coated ID tag that Marge Hearn gave to him. "I never go anywhere without him."

It's a reminder not just of the father-son friendship they forged for 17 seasons as broadcast partners, but also of how Hearn groomed Lantz for what is now a special place in the organization.

Chick may be gone. But Lantz, having now made it to season No. 20 with the Lakers, continues to carry on the "word's-eye view."

"Instead of a link to the team's history, I seem to be more a link to Chick, because there are still fans who come up to me and say, 'Hi, Chick and Stu' -- and they always say his name first," said the 60-year-old Lantz. "I like that association still with Chick.

"He was remarkable in the way he opened the door for me to get comfortable with him when a lot people told me 20 years ago they didn't think our personalities would mesh, that we'd be more like oil and water. What people didn't realize was Chick's willingness to let me do my job. Chick was the one who made it work."

Lantz, who lasted almost longer with Hearn than Hearn's five previous colormen combined, is the first to admit he started out as an accidental broadcaster.

In 1977, a back injury brought an end to his eight-year NBA career -- the last three spent with the Lakers, who picked him up in a midseason trade with the New Orleans Jazz in '74 because they still needed a replacement for the retired Jerry West.

Lantz had an elementary education degree from the University of Nebraska and was all set to start a career as a third-grade teacher near his home in San Diego, where he still lives with his wife, Linda, and where they raised their three kids. A friend suggested he tryout with CBS as a broadcaster, since the network did several NBA games each week.

Without any journalism background, Lantz said he had no expectations going in. He ended up landing a job and doing his first game with Bob Costas on play-by-play.

That led to a broadcasting job as Ted Leitner's partner on San Diego Clippers games. And that led to Lantz and Hearn doing an NBA Summer League broadcast together in Long Beach. Hearn enjoyed the chemistry so much he said he'd put in a word for him if a spot with the Lakers ever opened up.

"I thought he was just saying that to be nice," Lantz said.

When Keith Erickson stepped away as Hearn's partner to focus on his business ventures in 1987, Lantz was hired on Hearn's recommendation.

Imagine what would have happened if Lantz forged ahead clapping chalkboard erasers for the past two decades.

"Sometimes I think I'm still teaching third grade," Lantz said with a laugh. "Some of the guys who come in are so young and when you talk to them, you automatically get into a teaching mode."

That elementary approach is what Lantz uses as an instructor at Pete Newell's camp that teaches basic fundamental footwork and positioning to many of the league's younger players. But it's also a broadcast philosophy to explain how and why things happen on a basketball court. Lantz has tried to maintain a spontaneous, analytical approach to game calling rather than bog himself down with stats. Hearn used to always wonder why Lantz never pursued a career as a coach because of his ability to teach and communicate.

"Because broadcasting is a whole lot more fun," Lantz admitted.

Mychal Thompson, the Lakers' current radio colorman, joined the team as a player in the middle of the 1986-87 season, just prior to Lantz's first season with Hearn. Thompson constantly uses Lantz as a sounding board for his career and life in general.

"Around the league, you see how much respect he has when the players come up to him and seek advice, or just to say hello," Thompson says of Lantz. "He's so humble. But he's very approachable. He's like Yoda, so wise and mystical. But much better looking."

Tim Harris, the Lakers' vice president of broadcasting and marketing, says that the ability to keep Lantz has been "invaluable for the stability of our broadcasts" as he bridges Hearn and the former simulcasts they used to continue with Paul Sunderland over to Joel Meyers this season on the TV-only broadcasts on FSN West and KCAL Channel 9.

"When you lose a play-by-play announcer, especially someone of the stature and longevity as Chick, continuity is important, not only for the fans but the organization as well," Harris said. "Fans have an emotional attachment to their teams, and by extension, their broadcasters. Stu is well-liked but more importantly, well-respected among fans, our TV partners and those around the league for his insights and experience.

"Twenty years on the air is a reflection of his valuable contribution. We're looking forward to having Stu with us for many seasons to come."

Lantz, signed through the 2008-09 season, isn't in any hurry to put his career in the refrigerator, either.

"Broadcasting was a way to stay close to the game I love and never really divorce myself from it," he said. "For someone who went to college never thinking he'd be in the NBA, to becoming a broadcaster when I had no aspirations of it and didn't have any background, it's amazing all these years I've been here.

"I know it's a cliche, but as long as I'm having fun, I'll be here. When it stops being fun, I'm out the door. I mean, I've already been here longer than anyone could have anticipated."

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THE TOP 10

1. Jim Fox, Kings TV (FSN)

Named by Sports Illustrated in its NHL preview edition as the best analyst for the money for being "opinionated and sharp." The true test is remaining that way during a difficult season to watch.

Last year: 1

2. Stu Lantz, Lakers TV (FSN, KCAL Ch. 9)

Jerry Weinstein, the Lakers' game producer for FSN West since '04, says: "Stu is a team player and he will do whatever it takes to make the broadcast great. He really is an unsung hero in the Lakers organization."

Last year: 2

3. Don MacLean, UCLA basketball TV (FSN) and radio (570-AM)

Big Mac has supersized again with his TV chores, unfortunately breaking away more and more from the radio. His dry sense of humor and ability to throw out a biting quip make him worth seeking out on a broadcast.

Last year: 5

4. Mychal Thompson, Lakers radio (570-AM)

One day, you may see him segue into a TV analyst job, but he vows never to look as dapper as those who wear the suit and tie. "I'd be more of the Charles Barkley or Tom Tolbert, and it'd be fun to show a lot more of your personality."

Last year: 4

5. Petros Papadakis, college football (FSN)

When he's got a weekend free from his Fox network Pac-10 assignments, he'll sneak in a USC or UCLA home pre-conference game for the local affiliate. It's our treat.

Last year: Not ranked

6. Brian Hayward, Ducks TV (FSN)

The favorite broadcaster of former Kings knucklehead Sean Avery took another step toward national prominence with his stuff at the Winter Olympics. NBC has kept him in the rotation of regional games, and that helps his exposure.

Last year: 3

7. Jose Mota, Angels TV (FSN, KCAL Channel 9)

The hybrid broadcaster has found himself to be more and more valuable as interviews with Spanish-speaking players aren't something that an English-only speaking broadcaster can pull off. Fox has wisely used him more on national broadcasts, and starting this season, he'll be doing 50 games of play-by-play to up his exposure.

Last year: Honorable mention

8. Rex Hudler, Angels TV (FSN, Ch. 9)

He speaks a whole other language at times, too. Hopefully, he stays in the loop.

Last year: 6

9. Rick Monday, Dodgers radio (980-AM)

Short, snappy sound bites may never be his forte, but at least Steiner has full throttle of the radio show.

Last year: 9

10. Matt Stevens, UCLA football radio (570-AM)

A solid foundation has been built for him with the school as a broadcaster for years to come.

Last year: 7

Honorable mention: Jim Hefner, USC basketball radio (710-AM); John Jackson, college football (FSN) and USC football radio (980-AM); Rick Monday and Jerry Reuss, Dodgers radio (980-AM); Troy West, Avengers radio (570-AM); Darryl Evans, Kings radio (1150-AM); Allen Hopkins, Galaxy TV; Tony Moskaw, high school football (1220-AM); Mark Rogondio, Galaxy TV (a Matthew Perry look-alike); Sean Farnham, UCLA football and basketball TV; Wayne Cook, UCLA football radio (570-AM).

BOTTOM 5

1. Steve Lyons, Dodgers TV (FSN, Ch. 13)

More useless doodlings on the Telestrator than a 4-year-old with an Etch- a-Sketch, Psycho still hasn't figured out after all that's happened to him he still comes off as that arrogant know-it-all sitting behind you at a game who points out the obvious and relates everything to his less-than-stellar playing career. The fact the Dodgers kept him after he dropped his pants and was dismissed from Fox's national crew was admirable, but unnecessary. So, how'd those sensitivity training classes go?

Last year: 2, bottom 5.

2. Michael Smith, Clippers TV (FSN, Ch. 5)

The stuff that comes out of his mouth is about as valuable as something you can buy for 60 tickets after playing sixhours of Skeeball at Chuck E. Cheese.

Last year: 1, bottom 5.

3. Paul Westphal, college basketball (FSN)

He recently had his number retired by USC. Cool. Now he's got a long way to go before he makes the broadcasting legendary status. Separate the studio analyst from the game analyst here, and you understand the difference.

Last year: Not ranked.

4. Mike Sherrard, UCLA football TV (FSN)

Maybe his voice will stop cracking by next fall.

Last year: Horrible mention.

5. Paul McDonald, USC football radio (710-AM)

At least he maintained some composure in the booth when his son got into a couple of games last season.

Last year: 5, bottom 5.

Horrible mention: Jack Haley, college basketball (FSN).

CAPTION(S):

7 photos, 2 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- color) Lakers broadcaster Stu Lantz studies the court as he works on the FSN West telecast of Tuesday's game at Staples Center against New York.

Tom Mendoza/Staff Photographer

(2) Stu Lantz, arriving at Chick Hearn's funeral Mass in Brentwood on Aug. 9, 2002, continues to carry his former broadcast partner's media pass in his wallet.

Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images

(3) FOX

(4) MACLEAN

(5) LYONS

(6) HUDLER

(7) WESTPHAL

Box:

(1) THE BEST AND WORST OF L.A. SPORTS MEDIA: GAME ANALYSTS (see text)

(2) THE SERIES