Ex-Lakers Trainer Macro Nunez Discusses His Transition Into New Role As Director of West Coast Operations For Atherapy Entertainment
Los Angeles Lakers Head Athletic Trainer Marco Nunez during their NBA basketball game against the Miami Heat at the Staples Center in Los angeles, Friday, January 6, 2017. (Photo by Hans Gutknecht, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Marco Nunez is the former Head Athletic Trainer of the Los Angeles Lakers for three seasons [2016-2019]. He was let go after the 2019 season following the injury-riddled season that saw LeBron James miss a lot of time with a groining injury. According to Spotrac, Lakers players missed 212 appearances due to injury this season, the ninth-most in the league. Kyle Goon of the Orange County Register also reported, 148 of those appearances came from the top eight leaders in minutes.
Before being promoted to the lead Athletic Trainer position for the Lakers, Nunez had been with the organization for over a decade, starting as an assistant trainer, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
A position that he spent eight years in and he was also an assistant strength and conditioning and specialist for the team.
Before joining the Los Angeles Lakers training staff during the 2008-09 season, Nunez spent two seasons with their now G-League team, the Los Angeles D-Fenders (now named the South Bay Lakers), as their Head Athletic Trainer.
Since transitioning from his role with the Los Angeles Lakers, Nunez is now the Director of West Coast Operations for Atherapy Entertainment / Atherapy LLC.
Nunez’s primary responsibility is to coordinate and deliver therapy and training for Atherapy patients, athletes, and celebrities from the West Coast. Nunez also works closely with Dave Hancock, CEO, to coordinate London, New York, and Los Angeles operations.
That is not the only hat Nunez wears, and he currently consults with Strive Performance, a sports science wearable technological gear. The device monitors athletes’ mechanical load, mechanical load, muscular balance, and heart rate during training, practice, and games. It also helps decrease the risk of injury and monitor athletes’ progression. As a high-performance athletic trainer, his responsibilities include developing preventive assessment methods, monitoring an athlete’s workload, and developing a continuing education program for athletic trainers, physical therapists, and performance coaches.
Nunez also works as a performance athletic trainer for Game-Changing Films, a production business that choreographs sports scenes for films and television shows. He oversees all medical needs during filming sessions and provides care to actors, athletes, and stunt people.
Marco Nunez recently spoke with LandonBuford.com about transitioning from the Los Angeles, Lakers Athletic head trainer to Director of West Coast Operations for Atherapy Entertainment.
“Being the Director of West Coast Operations for Atherapy Entertainment, one of my main duties is to attend, treat and perform rehab to our clients and patients. The majority of our athletes are in the professional setting,” said Nunez.
“Therefore, the years that I spent with the Los Angeles Laker athletes such as Kobe Bryant, Lebron James and Pau Gasol, enabled me to learn and gain the demands needed to be able to perform and work at the high level. That same mentality and treatment that I presented while with the Lakers, clients for Atherapy also receive.”
He added, “Dave Hancock is one of the best physiotherapists that is well known around the world. I first had the opportunity to meet him while he was the Director of rehab and performance for the New York Knicks. He, like myself, no longer works in the NBA but continues to work with professional athletes.”
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
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