7. Gary Vitti
Behind every championship roster and coaching staff is an athletic trainer who takes care of all the bumps and bruises along the way. Luck is a major part in winning a title, and a wrong turn or hop can ruin a team’s chances for success. Los Angeles has title aspirations in 2012-13; however, injuries can bring those goals to a stop.
Gary Vitti has been the taking care of Lakers players for a very long time and he makes sure they are in the best medical condition before hitting the court. Vitti was there for Magic Johnson, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant; he knows a little bit about assisting some of the league’s elite players.
6. Steve Nash
For the first time since the Magic Johnson-era, the Los Angeles Lakers have a Hall of Fame point guard on their roster. Nash came to the Lakers this summer in hopes of joining forces with Kobe Bryant to win his first NBA championship. Even though Nash has not played a lot for the team due to a leg injury, he should be back on the court in about a week.
Once Nash returns to the lineup he will add another dimension to the Lakers and make them even more dangerous. D’Antoni will have his full roster and Nash will have no problem adjusting to the system. Lakers fans need to be patient with Nash since he will make them that much better once he gets back.
httpvhd://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1xKNXjgLN8&feature=plcp
Next Page: Numbers 5 and 4