Meyers, Thompson will handle radio broadcasts for Lakers

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) Longtime play-by-play announcer Joel Meyers and former NBA standout Mychal Thompson will make up the radio broadcast team for the Los Angeles Lakers next season.

Lakers games have been done via simulcast simultaneous coverage on radio and television since Chick Hearn was hired as the team's play-by-play announcer in April 1961.

Hearn died last August at age 85 following a fall at his home. Paul Sunderland handled play-by-play duties and Stu Lantz continued as color analyst on both radio and television this past season. They are expected to make up the Lakers' television team next season.

``Stu is under contract and Paul hasn't signed a contract, but we expect to get that done soon,'' Lakers spokesman John Black said Wednesday.

Meyers has over 20 years of broadcasting experience for NBC, Fox Sports, ESPN and Westwood One. He has covered the Olympics, NBA, NFL and golf and has been the play-by-play announcer for the San Antonio Spurs the last four years.

Thompson played for the Lakers, Portland Trail Blazers and Spurs during a 12-year NBA career after being taken with the first pick in the 1978 draft. A member of championship teams with the Lakers in 1987 and 1988, he averaged 13.7 points, 7.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists in his career.

Thompson will be the color analyst on Lakers games. He handled those duties for the Minnesota Timberwolves the past two seasons, and also worked in that capacity with the Vancouver Grizzlies, Seattle SuperSonics and Trail Blazers.

Thompson also co-hosted a radio show in Portland. He began a similar job in Los Angeles this week.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)