INGLEWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 20: Chick Hearn speaks during Gail Goodrich's Jersey Retirement prior to a game between th Los Angeles Lakers and the Utah Jazz on November 20, 1996 at the Great Western Forum in Inglewood, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1996 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
On February 28, 1987, legendary broadcaster Chick Hearn called his 2,000th consecutive game for the Los Angeles Lakers, a streak that spanned 22 years up to that point. His streak would end on December 16, 2001 at 3,338 consecutive games—it started November 21, 1965. In addition to his streak, Hearn was known for coining several catchphrases and terms such as airball, slam dunk, triple-double, and other terms that are used by NBA broadcasters, fans, writers, and players alike.
