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Legendary Lakers Trainer Cherishes 1987 Championship Ring Above All Else
5 Sep
Summary
- Gary Vitti had the "best seat in the house" as Lakers' trainer for 32 years
- Vitti only wears the 1987 NBA Championship ring, despite Shaquille O'Neal's urging
- The 1987 ring holds special personal significance for Vitti, coinciding with his daughter's birth
Gary Vitti, the longtime athletic trainer for the Los Angeles Lakers, has a special connection to the team's 1987 NBA Championship. Vitti, who had the "best seat in the house" for 32 years, was on the sidelines for the Lakers' glory days in the 1980s and 2000s, witnessing iconic moments from players like Magic Johnson and Shaquille O'Neal.
While Vitti has multiple championship rings from his tenure, the 1987 title against the Boston Celtics holds a unique significance for him. That year, the Lakers' victory coincided with the birth of Vitti's daughter, making it a hallmark moment in both his professional and personal life. As a result, Vitti has chosen to wear only the 1987 ring, despite persistent requests from O'Neal to don one of the three championships they won together in the 2000s.
Vitti's loyalty to the Showtime Lakers era is unwavering. He sees the 1980s as the defining period of his career, and he wants to remain true to that identity. Even though the 1985 championship against the Celtics was the team's "greatest accomplishment" from a basketball standpoint, the 1987 ring holds a special place in Vitti's heart.
