Beloved Lakers public address announcer Lawrence Tanter dies at 76

Remembered for his smooth, baritone voice, Tanter served as the voice of the Lakers for more than four decades. Tanter narrated chapters of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson , Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal , LeBron James and now Luka Doncic . After a stroke suffered in March forced him to retire from his game day role, he transitioned to an advisory role in June.

"For 43 years, LT's voice served as the soundtrack to Lakers games at the arena," the team said in a statement Wednesday. "He will be remembered as a cherished member of the Lakers family."

Tanter started with the team in 1982 when the Lakers played in the Forum. His signature calls — "toooo many steps," "Kobeee Bryant," "Lllaker Girlsss" — were not boastful or over the top. For a franchise that came to embody old Hollywood glamour, Tanter's voice became the ideal soundtrack.