Even if retirement is inevitable, players find it hard to accept it. Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, Dwyane Wade, it’s rare to see an exception. And even Michael Jordan. It’s an emotional moment. But the tough part comes after that. Many get lost wondering what their next chapter holds after years of grinding in the NBA. O’Neal dedicated himself fully to the music business, and his work as an analyst in the NBA. A famed podcaster and life coach revealed that he had noticed the pattern in most athletes. However, he was stunned to see how Kobe Bryant had a different reaction.

Speaking of Bryant’s former teammate, O’Neal was able to feel the same thrill of playing basketball when he performed as a DJ for music enthusiasts. He was able to find the rhythm in life again. Wade had a similar situation and found his love for golfing, which gave him the same excitement and competition. Much like O’Neal, there are other NBA players who took their time to find their passion, peace, and a new direction.

Jay Shetty, who has spoken to many people about their life experiences through his platform, got to interview Bryant after his retirement shortly before his passing. Recalling his experience, he shared how the basketball legend was very much at peace with his decision. “I found that for a lot of athletes after you finish playing is the most difficult time. Other athletes I’d met or spoken to, they always talked about postretirement being the hardest time,” he said on 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony.

The $30-million-worth (as per CAKnowledge) life coach added, “It was incredible but what I learned about the athlete mindset from him was that he had a game plan for retirement. So he had a game plan on the court and he had a game plan off the court, and I’ve never met someone who was so at peace in retirement. He truly was at peace when I spent time with him,” Shetty said about the late legend.

The Los Angeles Lakers legend retired in 2016 at the age of 37. When we look back at his last game, it shows that he was seemingly prepared, putting up one of his best performances against the Utah Jazz, scoring 60 points. Another name is certainly Michael Jordan who retired three times and each time had a difficult moment. After his retirement, he was playing baseball. It took some time for him to adjust and return to the game.

There are many players who have faced issues, both mental and physical, after retirement. One such figure is LaMarcus Aldridge.

LaMarcus Aldridge struggled with anxiety after retirement 

Fans were excited when former NBA player LaMarcus Aldridge joined the Brooklyn Nets, which featured elite players like Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden during the 2020–2021 season. But much to fans’ shock, he announced his retirement. In a conversation with The Athletic, he revealed that he had been playing with a condition called Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome throughout his career.

This condition causes a rapid heartbeat. After a scary incident in which it took him longer than usual to recover, he didn’t want to take any risks and decided to hang up his jersey. This was a very sudden decision for the player. After his retirement, he expressed feeling anxious about what his next step would be.

“I’ve been depressed, and I’m trying to figure out how to navigate through not competing on the floor, learning not to be depressed. I still love basketball. I still feel like I have a lot to give. But even now, I’m still trying to find myself. When you go from doing something you love for so long and you lose it overnight, it’s a shock,” he said. 

While for Aldridge it was a shock, there are several players who struggle after their NBA or playing careers come to an end. However, Kobe Bryant is one of the rare few who knew it, accepted it, and made peace.