Marco Nunez is the Assistant Athletic Trainer right now and has held that position for 9 years. He was groomed for this and now we enter a new age in Laker history. An age without Kobe, Chick, Shaq, Magic, or Gary Vitti. Our lone holdover might be Stu Lantz.
I just don't have much info on him to make a decision. I know the Lakers had their struggles the last few years but Gary Vitti was one of the hardest working guys in the business. If this is his protege there's probably a good place to start. He's also probably more able to grasp the newer concepts on sports science. Gary's technical training was not nearly as much as modern trainers, so it's at worst a lateral step but should be a step forward.
Somewhere poundforpound is rolling his eyes... So much of a make-over this coming season. There is still Lawrence Tanter who I still prefer very much to the hyper, bombastic game voices out there. Nunez should be well schooled to take over from here on and as you stated is probably more versed with the modern changes in his profession. He should be already have a chemistry with the players on board so the transition should be seamless.
Is he a doctor? And if not, shouldn't we be hiring one? Vitti wasn't one and I found that to be ridiculous. Am I way off on this? I know they can consult with various doctors who are experts in their various fields, but I just think an organization worth Billions should hire a doctor.
I just checked every other team in the NBA and none of the other athletic trainers are doctors http://nbata.com/about-us/member-directory/ The Lakers have their own team physician http://www.kerlanjobe.com/Find-a-Physician/L/Stephen-J-Lombardo-M-D-.aspx
Athletic Trainers technically aren't doctors though they go to extensive schooling now. There's a degree built around the profession. I know several and they're very knowledgeable. Vitti came from the time when you only needed a couple years of school and a certification. He was very studious but he simply didn't have the same training from the beginning that any new trainer will have.
In addition to what TRD said a prototypical MD is not necessarily the best equipped person for athletic trainer. Doctors are trained for much more complex care and since the Lakers have a team physician for consultation, I trust guys who are trained in other disciplines to handle the day to day of caring for our players. Nunez is a familiar face, we've been seeing him on the bench for at least a decade I believe. No opinion on him yet but he's been around the organization a while and is clearly respected. Can't blame the lakers for keeping it internal.
I hope we're still keeping Judy Seto, Head Physical Therapists for the Lakers Kobe always swore by her and if Kobe trusts her then we need to keep her.
Well he certainly has the experience and I liked how he shared that he first started working for the Lakers 8 years ago and Luke was like his first player he helped tape up a knee and this was when Luke was a rookie and he told Marco "Thank you for being here". Fast forward to today and Luke got to welcome Marco has his first Head Athletic Trainer. Funny how life works out sometimes
Bump from oblivion. (Could use a title change) http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/170803-lakers-training-room
I mean the biggest takeaway: they don't have a nutritionist on staff? That's odd. I wonder if most teams don't? I would figure you'd absolutely want a nutritionist on staff if you're looking that deep into hydration.
Good Read. Regarding the Josh Hart not playing after the ankle sprain, pretty much what I expected as far as the reason. There just simply wasn't enough time between games to practice 3 on 3 and then 5 on 5 to decide if he ready or can handle the up and done without hurting himself more.
They didn't say they weren't going to hire a nutritionist. They said they had plans to but are deciding if they want to hire this person on full time or not unless I remember reading it wrong. I'm with you though definitely. They absolutely should have this person hired full time.
They haven't had one, didn't have one last year, and don't have one yet. Gunnar said he was trying to convince them to hire one last year. What they said was they had a consulting nutritionist that the sort of sent out information to so they could construct a loose diet for the guys. Having a nutritionist on staff is very important. He/she may not have to travel with the team, but they should absolutely have one on staff.
I'm at a loss that the need of a nutrionist isnt something that has been adopted league wide (or the lakers are just behind the times like we have seen w analytics)
