 In the 2001-2002 season, the Laker's long time play-by-play announcer, Chick Hearn, had to take time away while he recovered from heart surgery, and then more time was needed when he was injured in a fall and suffered a broken hip.Sunderland filled in for Chick Hearn for 56 games during the 2001-02 season, and then in November 2002 he was announced as the new play-by-play announcer for the Los Angeles Lakers.He was only the second announcer ever hired by the team.