When Magic Johnson twisted an ankle on the court, Gary Vitti was there to help him. For the past 26 years, Vitti has been the team trainer and has helped every Laker player. Even Smush Parker.
That’s a full time job, right? Heading a five-person training staff, dealing with team doctors and management, working with the players to keep them well through the grind of a season. What more can you want from the guy?
What? He’s the team travel coordinator, too? That’s another full time job, especially on road trips. He’s not only got to worry about taping Kobe’s ankle, he’s got to worry about his luggage getting to Dallas on time? And it’s not like trainer and travel coordinator have overlapping skill sets -- these are two totally different jobs.
Apparently, Vitti is the one medical professional in America who thinks sleep is overrated. Weird, weird mix of jobs. But if he’s been doing it for 26 years and has a collection of diamond-encrusted championship rings, what are you going to say to the guy?