Longtime trainer Ed Lacerte calling it quits, too
Ed Lacerte, longtime athletic trainer for the Boston Celtics, has elected to leave the team before the start of next season.
This last season was his thirtieth with the team, with him serving as the NBA's longest tenured athletic trainer, so long he was the trainer for the "Dream Team" representing the United States in the 1992 Olympics...an achievement he arrived at after a half-decade with the team under his belt at that time. To put that in perspective a little better, Brad Stevens, the current coach of the Celtics, was ten years old when Ed joined the team. The oldest player on the roster - Al Horford - was literally still in diapers.
No other current Celtic was even alive when he joined Boston.
It's an understatement of epic proportions to say that the last team member from the Larry Bird era not in a front office position leaving the team is a significant event, and it - along with 14-year Celtics veteran Brian Doo's departure - is not for mere coincidence. The Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett reports significant change is coming to the team's sports science program, and each of these two opted to depart over taking a lesser role going forward.
What shape that change will take will likely become clearer in the coming days and weeks, but for now, let's all take a moment to salute Mr. Lacerte for his decades of amazing work literally holding the team (and their bodies) together with Mr. Doo. To you both, a deep and heart-felt thanks - we all owe you more than words can do justice.
So long, Ed.
For more stories about the offseason on CelticsLife, click here. For more by Justin, click here.
Image: Jim Davis/Globe Staff
Video: Boston Celtics
Data: Basketball-reference.com
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Celtics making changes in sports science department, parting with longtime trainer Ed Lacerte. https://t.co/Fd3qxjsviV— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) July 15, 2017
This last season was his thirtieth with the team, with him serving as the NBA's longest tenured athletic trainer, so long he was the trainer for the "Dream Team" representing the United States in the 1992 Olympics...an achievement he arrived at after a half-decade with the team under his belt at that time. To put that in perspective a little better, Brad Stevens, the current coach of the Celtics, was ten years old when Ed joined the team. The oldest player on the roster - Al Horford - was literally still in diapers.
No other current Celtic was even alive when he joined Boston.
I will only say this.— Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) July 15, 2017
Some are Hall of Famers at what they do.
Some are Hall of Famers as people.
Ed Lacerte is both.
That simple. https://t.co/dB8VcildxI
It's an understatement of epic proportions to say that the last team member from the Larry Bird era not in a front office position leaving the team is a significant event, and it - along with 14-year Celtics veteran Brian Doo's departure - is not for mere coincidence. The Boston Herald's Steve Bulpett reports significant change is coming to the team's sports science program, and each of these two opted to depart over taking a lesser role going forward.
Athletic Trainer Ed Lacerte breaks down what it takes to keep the players competing at the highest level in our @Gatorade Cooler Talk. pic.twitter.com/H2aSKBQdIv— Boston Celtics (@celtics) November 22, 2016
What shape that change will take will likely become clearer in the coming days and weeks, but for now, let's all take a moment to salute Mr. Lacerte for his decades of amazing work literally holding the team (and their bodies) together with Mr. Doo. To you both, a deep and heart-felt thanks - we all owe you more than words can do justice.
If Ed Lacerte tries to leave I am slashing his tires immediately so he has to stay— Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) July 14, 2017
So long, Ed.
For more stories about the offseason on CelticsLife, click here. For more by Justin, click here.
Video: Boston Celtics
Data: Basketball-reference.com
Follow Justin at @justinquinnn