Stepping up to the microphone at Crypto.com Arena means filling the shoes of a literal franchise institution. The Los Angeles Lakers didn't just need a new public-address announcer after the passing of the legendary Lawrence Tanter; they needed someone who understood the heartbeat of Los Angeles sports culture. Enter veteran broadcaster Derrin Horton.
With more than 35 years of broadcasting experience under his belt, including a long tenure as the main sports anchor at KTLA and a seven-time Emmy winner, Horton is taking over one of the most iconic audio jobs in professional basketball. He is scheduled to make his official debut on Thursday, October 8, during the preseason matchup against the Sacramento Kings. Taking on a mantle held by Tanter for 43 years is daunting, but Horton isn't trying to clone his predecessor. Don't forget to check out our previous article on this related article.
The Heavy Burden of Following Lawrence Tanter
Lawrence Tanter wasn't just a voice. He was the composed, baritone soul of "Showtime," calling out player introductions with a smooth cadence that defined decades of Lakers basketball. When health issues forced Tanter away from the microphone toward the end of last season, followed shortly by his passing at age 76, fans knew an era had officially closed.
Trying to imitate that signature style would be a tactical error for anyone. Horton knows it. Speaking to local media after the announcement, Horton admitted the sheer magnitude of the opportunity while stressing that you simply can't fill those exact shoes. Instead, his goal is straightforward: bring energy, stay informative, and keep the entertainment value high without pretending to be someone else. If you want more about the background here, The Athletic provides an informative breakdown.
Why Derrin Horton is Built for This Stage
You don't stumble into a job like this after decades of amateur work. Horton's resume speaks for itself. A Syracuse University Newhouse School graduate, his career spans local and national platforms including ESPN, Fox Sports Net, and the NFL Network, where he has hosted and narrated documentary series like NFL Top 10.
Southern California sports fans already know his voice well from his fifteen years at KTLA. That local familiarity matters immensely in a market as protective of its sports traditions as Los Angeles. When you hear a voice night in and night out calling out starting lineups, authenticity wins over flashiness every single time.
Horton actually started his broadcasting journey doing public-address announcing for high school basketball at Holy Cross, bringing his career full circle in a way few could script.
What to Expect on Opening Night
When the Lakers tip off their preseason slate against Sacramento on October 8, don't expect a carbon copy of Tanter's legendary tone. Expect Horton's own professional polish, honed through decades of anchoring, reporting, and voiceover work.
If you are heading down to Crypto.com Arena this season, listen closely to how the starting lineups roll off the tongue. The tone will change, but the standard of excellence remains entirely unchanged.
