Vince Carter stunned NBA enthusiasts with his decision to return to the hardwood for his final season in 2019, the longest by any player in the league. Following the rollercoaster of a season (2019-2020), he found it hard to distance himself from the sport he had played for 22 years, but after listening to Kobe Bryant, the swingman believed he could make his peace with it.
Recalling his retirement year during his recent appearance in an interview with Taylor Brooks, Carter said, “I struggled with the word retiring… I asked him about that word (retiring). How is it? He said, ‘Man, it is the greatest thing ever, it’s the best feeling. You’re gonna enjoy it. This side is not that bad because I get a chance now to coach my daughter, be there for her.’ I’m like, ‘If Kobe Bryant, who we all know him to be a a-hole and a degenerate of this game can say that to me, I can say I’m retiring.’”
The conversation occurred during a game when Carter’s Atlanta Hawks faced the Brooklyn Nets, and the Black Mamba and his little girl Gigi were in attendance. “Vinsanity” knew that if someone as dedicated as Kobe could cope with retirement, he would even be able to accept it. Despite his undying passion for the game, Kobe once mentioned that retirement was a blessing to him.
Kobe Bryant Viewed His Retirement as Blessing
Kobe Bryant, known for his immense love for basketball, had to hang his boots in 2016 when he felt the time was right. Though it seemed that it would be a difficult task for him, it was just the opposite for the 18-time All-Star.
“It’s strange to think a couple years ago, to be in this emotional space would be unfathomable. But I mean not even a smidge,” revealed the 5-time champion in an interview with ESPN in the same year of his retirement. Kobe further mentioned, “I can really just watch and just enjoy the games.”
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What worked in his case were the various business ventures he got involved in before leaving his remarkable legacy behind. Tragically, Kobe passed away in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, which coincidentally was also Vince Carter’s birthday.
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