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This is probably going to get lost in the shuffle, which is expected, but I thought he deserved his own thread.



http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/160413_kbvitti

Vitti deserves a better send off that being lost in the Kobe commotion. He was picked up by Dr. Buss from University of Utah and ended up being the most famous medic in league history. More than anything else, he developed some great personal relationships with players and coaches all the while doing work behind the scenes to modernize our medical department.

I posted an article earlier this season where we were leading the league in terms of least games missed by players this season since he put the fatigue monitoring into place. He's slated to be a consultant for two more years before retiring to his holiday home in Italy.

Like Chick, I think he deserves a retired jersey as well.

I havent posted in awhile but am compelled to say this..

I love Kobe. He is the BEST. I will miss the guy.
I love Dr. Buss, Chick Hearn, Phil Jackson, Pau Gasol and Shaq. Missed everyone of them when they left in their way.

But my respect for Gary Vitti was tops just as much as those I listed above.

His face is pure Lakers for me. His standing on the sidelines and coming to the aid for many our foot soldiers I was always felt comfort and peace they had a pro looking over them and that they will always be in good hands.

I did not know Gary was retiring.

I Will MISS him so!

Godspeed.

Thank you vitti.

Slava wrote:Vitti deserves a better send off that being lost in the Kobe commotion. He was picked up by Dr. Buss from University of Utah and ended up being the most famous medic in league history. More than anything else, he developed some great personal relationships with players and coaches all the while doing work behind the scenes to modernize our medical department.

I posted an article earlier this season where we were leading the league in terms of least games missed by players this season since he put the fatigue monitoring into place. He's slated to be a consultant for two more years before retiring to his holiday home in Italy.

Like Chick, I think he deserves a retired jersey as well.

Yup....I wish he got the proper send off he deserved. I wish someone more knowledgeable than me started this thread and wrote something nice but like a poster mentioned a couple of posts before me his retirement has been severely overshadowed by Kobe's, which is completely understandable, but sad nonetheless.

For me, I started following basketball in 01, and other than Kobe, he is literally the only other lakers persona that has been around all these years, when everything else changed. However, his run outlasts Kobe by a wide margin. It's amazing to think the man was in the center of the Magic HIV stuff, all the way into being the medical person that probably first new Kobe had torn his achillies. Basically the end of the run of both of Icons, some 20 years apart, but the same medical trainer.



The Chick mention is spot on....Chick was obviously more popular and on the surface, but Vittis run with the Lakers is nothing short of Chick-like. I mean, I bet a tribute a video and some form of a small goodbye ceremony were going to happen under different circumstance, and while they still might, it will definitely get lost in the all Kobe stuff. Kind of sad that he won't get his send off...but also awesome to see him and Kobe leave together. The relationship they had was always nice to see. Kobe trained so hard that he believed the only thing that could stop him was injuries....Vitti was the man always there to help him with that. He was the Alfred to Kobe's batman.

briansaddleback wrote:I havent posted in awhile but am compelled to say this..

I love Kobe. He is the BEST. I will miss the guy.
I love Dr. Buss, Chick Hearn, Phil Jackson, Pau Gasol and Shaq. Missed everyone of them when they left in their way.

But my respect for Gary Vitti was tops just as much as those I listed above.

His face is pure Lakers for me. His standing on the sidelines and coming to the aid for many our foot soldiers I was always felt comfort and peace they had a pro looking over them and that they will always be in good hands.

I did not know Gary was retiring.

I Will MISS him so!

Godspeed.

I think after Jerry Buss, there is a special club of life long modern Laker personalities, with Magic, James Worthy, and Chick being the current members with Jerry west being an honorary member despite leaving for other organizations. Kobe and Vitti join that club tonight imo, and we won't see the next member join for hopefully a long time. (Stu? Mitch?)

he'll easily get the retired jersey, maybe with a medic + mark on it instead of a microphone on chick's jersey.

but man how rich is the lakers history outside of the hardwood?

mitch kupchak- 30+ years
phil jackson- 8+ years with rings
jerry buss- life
stu lantz-30+
chick hearn-40+
gary vitti-30+
pat riley- 10+ years with rings
jeanie buss- life
lawrence tanter-30+


the only real negative is jim buss.

I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot more behind the scenes personnel

Since I started watching the NBA and the Lakers the only 2 constants on the team were Kobe and Gary Vitti. Much respect for him, especially since he does a lot more than being just the team doctor. I'm sure I'm going to miss him...

GOTEMCOACH wrote:he'll easily get the retired jersey

definitely... They already gave him a framed jersey, won't be too long until it's hanging on the wall... http://www.nba.com/lakers/news/160403_garyvitti

Yeah, this may be hitting me a little more than Kobe. Vitti was as much a part of the Lakers as anyone still with the org.

It's probably a good time for him to move on, but it's still sad to see him go.

Kilroy wrote:Yeah, this may be hitting me a little more than Kobe. Vitti was as much a part of the Lakers as anyone still with the org.

It's probably a good time for him to move on, but it's still sad to see him go.

I was at the Lakers-Celtics game when they honored him.
He got a framed jersey and 2 standing ovations.
It was fantastic. Very emotional. I've been a Laker fan since 1979 and have seen Vitti do his fantastic work in the background.
He truly has been a huge reason and a big factor in the success of the players and the organization.

Kilroy wrote:Yeah, this may be hitting me a little more than Kobe. Vitti was as much a part of the Lakers as anyone still with the org.

It's probably a good time for him to move on, but it's still sad to see him go.

It's time for Vitti to move on.. he was on the radio the other day, talked about how it's a 24/7 job during the season and it doesn't slow down much in the offseason, he lost his wife a couple years ago and wants to spend time with his kids...

I'm sad he's leaving but happy for him...his career with the Lakers is an amazing story. I can't wait for the book!

thanks for everything Vitti!!!! another great Lakers great leaving us.

Gary Vitti will always be remembered as one of the greats representing the Lakers. Right up there with Chick, in my book.

Happy retirement!

I love that Vitti got a solid moment at Kobe's last game.

That picture of Vitti and Magic was WOW!

Vitti was always on the sidelines, it is going to be strange not having him there.
It is strange that he is leaving at the same time that Kobe is. You would think, that next year, without Kobe, Vitti's job would be a lot easier than it was the last few years.

Maybe... Kobe has hired him personally to be his full time personal doctor.

Salute Gary you've been part of the laker family for years. We're going to miss you on the sidelines fixing our guys up. May God bless you and your family. #salute

We ran Kobe into the ground over the years, and it seems like Vitti was always able to work some magic, and bring Kobe back from situations where other players elsewhere would have to sit out weeks.

I hate to see another Laker legend go. I hope he takes a nice long vacation, because he deserves.

We will miss you Vitti. You did some magic on the court.

Much respect to Gary Vitti! A vital part in the Lakers' success!