Lakers Moments: Before Stu Lantz was a broadcaster

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

More than a voice: Lakers guard Stu Lantz dribbles past an opponent in a game in 1975.

Many fans don’t realize that Lantz was a player for the Lakers long before he became a broadcaster for the team.

He was a third-round draft pick of the San Diego Rockets in 1968 and spent his first three seasons in San Diego, enjoying his finest pro campaign in 1970-71, averaging career-high figures in scoring (20.6) and rebounding (5.0).

Lantz was traded to the Lakers in 1974, but played less than two seasons with them before announcing his retirement after the 1976-77 season because of a back injury.

The 2010-11 season is Lantz’s 24th season as a Lakers broadcaster. He has been chosen Southern California’s best radio color commentator six times by the Southern California Sports Broadcasters Assn., and best television color commentator on six occasions.

Read more about Stu Lantz and where he ranks among the Lakers when it comes to free-throw percentage in All Things Lakers, the L.A. Times’ interactive database of all things purple and gold.

Join the Lakers at L.A. Times Facebook page.

-- Houston Mitchell