Now that Shaq and Kobe are back to being best buds, the Big Aristotle gave some wisdom to the Black Mamba on Monday about his retirement plans.
That wisdom: Don't retire too early.
Lakers Coach Byron Scott Admits He Should've Listened To Kobe Over Playing Time Last Season
O'Neal encouraged Bryant to keep playing beyond this season if he still has it in him, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
''If you still got something, you should go because once it's done you can't get it back,'' O'Neal said. ''If I hadn't got hurt I would have went on and played my last season to try and break Wilt Chamberlain's scoring record.
''But it's different for a guard because they got control -- 'I'm going to shoot this time. For big guys, it is kind of hard. You've got to labor down.''
Shaquille O'Neal Says He Never Wanted To Leave Lakers, Kobe Bryant After 2003-04 Season
Bryant, the 37-year-old Laker who is entering his 20th season in the NBA, is in the final year of a two-year deal in Los Angeles. Originally, he said this year would be his last but he has since said he will not make a determination whether to return until after the season.
Bryant's season has been cut short in each of the last three seasons.
After carrying the Lakers on his back and into playoff contention in 2012-13, he suffered a torn Achilles in game 80 of the 82-game regular season and was out as the Spurs swept L.A. in the first round of the playoffs.
Kobe played all of six games in 2013-14 after breaking a bone in his left knee. Last season, Bryant made it through 35 games before suffering a season-ending torn rotator in his right shoulder.
Bryant has five NBA championships -- three with Shaq at the turn of the century and then two more with him entrenched as the top dog.
If he can stay healthy and lead the Lakers, who have averaged 24 wins the past two seasons and suffered the worst season in team history with a 21-win season in 2014-15, back to respectability, his competitive juices may entice him to give it another season.
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