Chick Hearn statue to grace Staples Center before Game 2 in Lakers’ playoff series

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A statue of Lakers hall of fame announcer Chick Hearn will be unveiled before Game 2 of the first-round NBA playoff series between Los Angeles and the Oklahoma City Thunder, according to Staples Center spokesman Michael Roth.

The statue will depict Hearn seated at a broadcast table wearing headphones and sitting in front of a microphone. There will also be an empty seat to allow fans to be photographed serving as Hearn’s analyst. Hearn was the voice of the Lakers for 42 years, right up until he died in 2002.

Hearn’s statue will be on the Staples Center Walk of Fame. There are already statues of Laker Magic Johnson, Los Angeles Kings star Wayne Gretzky and boxer Oscar De La Hoya. There will be a dedication ceremony before Game 2, likely on Tuesday because the Kings are scheduled to be at Staples Monday and Wednesday.

-- Diane Pucin