NBA news: Vince Carter played 22 seasons in the NBA before he finally called time on his decorated career. By his own admission, it was anything but an easy decision for the former eight-time All-Star. So much so, that Carter confessed that he struggled with the thought of having to forever turn his back on the game he loves.
According to Carter, one individual who helped him to come to terms with all this is Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant.
NBA News: Vince Carter Reveals Kobe Bryant’s Sage Advice on Retirement
![NBA News: Vince Carter Reveals How Kobe Bryant Helped Him Overcome Retirement 'Struggle' 1 USATSI 12580857 168400517 lowres](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_12580857_168400517_lowres.jpg)
By the time Carter hung up his laces, Bryant had been out of the game for nearly half a decade. At that point in time, Kobe was already enjoying the fruits of his labor, and this was the exact piece of advice he gave to Carter when the latter asked him about what it’s like to be on the outside looking in:
“I struggled with the word retiring,” Carter said. “… I asked him about that word. How is it? He said, ‘It is the greatest thing ever, it’s the best feeling. You’re gonna enjoy it.'”
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— CyrusTheVirus (@CyrusTheVirusP) May 30, 2024
![NBA News: Vince Carter Reveals How Kobe Bryant Helped Him Overcome Retirement 'Struggle' 2 Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/USATSI_8262621.jpg)
After hearing those words from a guy like Kobe, Carter knew that he was going to be fine in retirement — and he has been.
Toward the end of the clip, Carter could not help but get a little emotional talking about his last conversation with Bryant. They never got the chance to follow through on their plans to speak about life after basketball because Kobe passed away just weeks after what turned out to be a life-altering conversation for Carter.
Rest in peace, legend.
![NBA News: Vince Carter Reveals How Kobe Bryant Helped Him Overcome Retirement 'Struggle' 3 USATSI 6146662 168400517 lowres](https://www.hardwoodheroics.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/USATSI_6146662_168400517_lowres.jpg)
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