You Might Call Hearn ‘Iron Mike’

These exhibition games don’t count for the announcers either, so Chick Hearn remains in a temporary holding pattern, awaiting his date with destiny with more than a little anticipation and having no plans to stand it up.

He has called 2,961 consecutive regular-season and playoffs games, a run that started Nov. 21, 1965, and will hit 3,000 in a Jan. 19 matinee against the Orlando Magic at the Forum. So help him.

Get sick?

“Then I’ll operate on myself.”

Get really sick? There must be a limit, after all, as to how bad he’d be feeling before sitting one out.

Or maybe not.

“How dead is dead?” he said.

In other words, not.

Hearn said he has been looking to the moment since last season, saying he’s “very proud” of the occasion. The Lakers will mark it with a ceremony, either at halftime or before the game. The legendary announcer, in turn, will appreciate it.

Then he’ll start eyeing 4,000.

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Michael Jordan’s preseason pick to face the Chicago Bulls in the finals? The SuperSonics. “Utah is going to have a tough time trying to knock these guys off,” he said. “L.A. is still young, but they’re not as defensive oriented as Seattle. Defense wins championships without a doubt.” . . . Counting preseason, the Lakers and Clippers will play five times this season--in four arenas. Not bad for teams located about 15 miles apart. They were in St. Louis on Friday for an exhibition, held there because both were in the Midwest, will play twice at the Forum and once each at the Sports Arena and Pond of Anaheim during the regular season.