If you missed the two latest episodes of our regular podcast engine on Lakers.com, The Popcorn Machine, here are some highlights from Gary Vitti and Patrick O’Keefe’s respective interviews:
Episode #18: Lakers Head Athletic Trainer Gary Vitti
For the past 26 years, Gary Vitti has run the show for the team both in the training room and off the court. He joined us to discuss the varying responsibilities that come with his job, the freakish toughness of Kobe Bryant and more.
Other topics covered:
– The primary rewards of the job (lasting relationships)
– Disseminating just enough information to the media through the head coach and public relations staff so that as few questions as possible are asked.
– Vitti’s description of as close to a typical day at the office as is possible, starting from before the players report to the time he and his staff finally go home.
– A run through of Vitti’s outstanding staff, which features Director of Athletic Performance Chip Schaeffer, Athletic Performance Coordinator Alex McKechnie, Assistant Athletic Trainer Marco Nunez and Massage Therapist Marko Yrjovouri.
– The inexact science of evaluating sports injuries and constructing treatment plans.
– Why Kobe Bryant is “absolutely the toughest, mentally and pyhsically, athlete that I’ve ever worked with,” and some Kobe anecdotes from Vitti’s 13 years with him.
Episode #19: Lakers Video Coordinator Patrick O’Keefe
Ever wonder what exactly Kobe Bryant watches on film and why? Curious about what Phil Jackson likes to see on game edits that help his team prepare for each and every opponent? You’re in luck, because Lakers video coordinator Patrick O’Keefe joined us on the Popcorn Machine to discuss many of the behind-the-scenes details.
Other topics covered:
– O’Keefe’s routine in Indiana last week, from his pregame preparation to how he cut the video from the first half, and how that edit may have affected the team in the second half.
– Working with and for Kobe Bryant.
– Preparing Bryant specifically for last Friday’s Philadelphia game, specifically by assembling scouting reports for Andre Iguodala, Thaddeus Young and Willie Green.
– The locker room set up for video consumption both at home and on the road.
– The importance of knowing personnel around the league in order to prepare video the right way.
– Why Phil Jackson is a terrific coach for a video guy.
– Which Lakers aside from Bryant frequently request videos.