While entering his 21st season broadcasting Lakers games, this will be Stu Lantz’s fourth season working television exclusively as color commentator. With the end of the Lakers simulcast era prior to the 2003-04 season, Lantz now teams with play-by-play man Joel Meyers and broadcasts every Lakers game televised on KCAL-TV and FSN West. Providing each broadcast with his expert analysis and unique insight garnered through his 30-plus years associated with the NBA as both a player and color commentator, Lantz has received numerous awards over the years. Chosen Southern California's best radio color commentator six times by the Southern California Sports Broadcaster's Association and best television color commentator on four occasions, Lantz has also won four local EMMY Awards for his work in the Best Live Sports Telecast category.A graduate of the University of Nebraska (1968), the Cornhuskers officially retired his uniform number (22) on October 17, 1989 during halftime ceremonies of a Lakers’ preseason game in Lincoln. Born in Uniontown, PA, Lantz was originally a third round draft pick of the San Diego Rockets in 1968. Spending his first three seasons in San Diego, he enjoyed his finest pro campaign in 1970-71, averaging career-high figures in both scoring (20.6) and rebounding (5.0). The following season, Lantz ranked sixth overall in the NBA in free throw percentage (.838). Lantz also played for the Detroit Pistons (1972-1974) and New Orleans Jazz (1974) prior to being traded to the Lakers in December of 1974. He played less than two seasons in Los Angeles before announcing his retirement following the 1976-77 campaign due to a back injury but still ranks fourth on the Lakers’ all-time free throw percentage list (.849).Immediately following his playing career, Lantz embarked on a broadcasting career, serving as a commentator for the San Diego Clippers, San Diego State University and CBS.Lantz joined the Lakers prior to the 1987-88 season and has also worked as a color commentator for the NBA Radio Network.During the off season, Lantz works as an instructor at Pete Newell’s renowned Big Man’s Camp in Hawaii each summer. Stu and his wife, Linda, live in San Diego and are the parents of three children, Todd, Kristin and Shane. |