Gil's Arena Describes The STRUGGLE Of Life After The NBA 

Yo I watched this clip while eating and K Mart made me put my food in the fridge. 😂😂😂 “eat till you full not till it’s gone” 😂😂😂

Not even 30 seconds in and McCants is getting roasted LMAO

As a lifelong normal guy, it's not so bad. I imagine it does suck after being treated like a demigod for 10+ years.

Dominique Wilkins once said that he prepared for retirement 5 years before he retired. He setup his businesses, investments, work, family, etc so he could easily transition. Other players need to listen to that so they can do the same thing.

K Mart low key laughing at Shad is beyond funny dab 😂😂😂😂😂😂

lol shard acting like he a retired megastar 😂

What Gil is talking about happened to me as a highschool baseball player.. sadly.. not professional level but all i knew was baseball and all I wanted to be was a baseball player.. then one day I realized I wasnt going to make it to be big leagues and had to ask myself the big question“who are you?” .. thank God i didnt turn out bad 🙏🏼

RUSTY CROWN 👑🤴🏾🤣

"It's rough though, you wake up and you used to having that routine, and it all changes, so now you gotta find a different routine." - Kenyon Martin

K-Mart trying not to laugh. That was the longest drink ever😅😅

The whole cast trying to keep a straight face after the clip like Rashad didnt just get flame-grilled😂😂😂

"Depression is part of the progression" For real this is one of the greatest quote I just heard much respect for you all my brothas

McCants came down to Earth a bit, after Gil gave a very humble, introspective answer. What he ended the clip with was more realistic and not all that ego and bravado.

the guy with the crown was frontin. Gil's explanation was real and honest and made him take those shades off.

“I retired after college. I saw the vision.” This made my day. This level of self awareness is rare but I respect it.

The look on K-Mart's face listening to McCants say all that nonsense. Priceless 😂

This is a real and intelligent conversation. Young athletes need this type of education.

Gil’s take is 100% spot on. Since I got out the army I haven’t had a competitive space to unleash

Gil's take was the best and he elaborated in the simplest way for ppl to understand

Going from having a whole stadium cheer for you cuz you just hit a 3 or a dunk or a block etc to never experiencing that ever again is tough. Most ppl never hear a small crowd cheer for them let alone a whole stadium of thousands.

It's no way anyone listens to mccants without laughing lol ....bro is a character 🤣😂😭😭

McCants felt that rusty crown line😂

“You aint got no games today, watch these kids”🤣🤣😭

This conversation is bigger than just Basketball. Thank you for the conversation and for everyone who shared. As somone moving on from plan A .... It makes me feel normal for once having to readjust and move onto other plans. Finding another purpose than the last 10 years. Reinventing and creating.

K-Mart laughing at McCants 😂

We need more of these discussions from NBA guys. We hear it pretty consistent from NFL players. Much needed conversation that is often not had in detail or glossed over on all the Former Athlete Podcast.

They need to talk more about the struggles of retired sports player's life

This is deep & sad 😢😢😢. This really hits homes

Appreciate Gil for being so honest and open. This platform is great.

Rashad ego is so high he talks like he’s had the status and career of Kobe or MJ

I was super depressed the first few years out of the military. There’s nothing to replace the feeling of camaraderie between the people you work closely with. It took me a couple of years to find myself. It was hard to adjust to the civilian world. Totally understand the conversation.

"Don't Cheat Now" Gil: Say what now 😮

K-Mart was one of my favorite players to watch. As a Nets fan, he and his team were all I saw. I think he earned a good life post playing

This may be the realist segment they’ve had......this is REAL for these dudes!!

Nick young got me crying lmao 😂

Gil is the LAST person you want saying "I told you so" 😂

When mcants finally took off his shades and let go of his ego because of what nick young said, he said some REAL SPILL at the end 💯

Anyone that's good at something going through this. There will be a time where your skill is phased out or you become more trouble then you're worth. That point in life shows who you are as a person. Most star athletes grown up slower then normal people. So this hits them later in life.

This was the best and most vulnerable and honest episode that I've ever seen . Wow , the Crown King has spoken , And I think he needs to get his own podcast cause he's definitely a star ⭐😊

That Must’ve HURT , but A MAN has to have a PURPOSE , KEEP MOVING 💪🏾🙏🏾

Probably the realest show you guys have had… 💯 Any real hooper living that post-hoop life can relate…

This podcast over the past year has completely transformed everything I ever knew or assumed about Gil, which is a big statement about myself and my own biases, but it is also a testimony to the power of podcasting. I always knew Kenyon was an intellectual but I never knew Gil was.

Gil is the only one that said the truth

Gil was the only one who spoke with reality his angle was well spoken and heart felt

Rusty Crown 😂😂😂 McCants be flustered a whole episode off one comment

"Look at Gil whole couch, they miserable" yo that broke me up and they didnt like that Lol😂😅😂

McCants “I always kept myself busy… just finished my 4th book” 😂😂

Love & respect Gilbert take on this one . Everything he said was factual he went deep in his bag & not jus give a surface answer to get the question over with or shield himself from understanding that regardless of his celebrity status , he is still a civilian with a few extra zeros in the bank account 🤝🏾🙏🏾

Damn, his honesty at the end got me thinking honesty, best episode so far... damn "Depression is the way to progression. Can't have progression without depression." Deep

Thank you for this....As a former college athlete, I really appreciated and identified with all that was said. Those years of practice and competing on the highest level and then to have it go away, never to return is a shock. what is normal after being pampered and living the " good " life. At least I can go to my old school see my name in the Hall of Fame and say, yes, you did accomplish something in your lifetime but this talk is so real...

Gil. You keep it more real than any other athlete podcast I've seen with relevant topics. You really give us insight into a world that we have no access to. Thank you for that!

Love both k martin and McCants answers.... Gil keep it 💯 real at the end 💯 👌.. Fire 🔥 Kings 🤴 🔥 🙌.... Military prison and athletes all can relate 2 that Depression Gil. When reality kicks in, u find out who u really are..

0:26 😂 McCants catching strays

Gil gave the most reasonable answer. The man with a crown was triggered by being called a civilian. It’s ok. He’ll come to grips with it eventually

The realest conversation this cast has ever had. Respect

After playing college ball and going into the real world of a “job” I went through severe depression. Not having your brothers around, working out as a team everyday, the days of looking the those lights above your head on game day… practically your entire life since 4 has been acknowledged as a successful basketball player. It’s your identity. I eventually played professionally basketball but man that was hard to get over

Thank you Gil because McCants is still in imagination land

Might be their best episode. They went deep and all their takes were really good.

Man never seen a room of tough guys be so humble.

Gil keeps it real, that’s why it show show and he’s entertaining. He gives you a look behind the curtain. MCcants is speaking from ego, “ never been a civilian” and he’s the one with the least star power of the 3 nba players there smh lol.

As a former bodyguard of an NBA Hall of Fame player, I can say without question that the transition from a superstar athlete, to an average dude, is extremely hard for the majority of players. Especially for those who lacked the knowledge and/or discipline to secure the financial resources to sustain the lifestyle that they're accustomed to. Those are the players that suffer the most. Because the minute the money disappears, everything that came with the money disappears, e.g. fake ass women, fake ass friends, fake ass family members and fake ass business associates. And when that reality kicks in, it's extremely hard for them to process. And it's extremely hard to watch it unfold.

Nick Young had me DYING!!!!! 🤣😂🤣😂🤣😂

I was a college athlete and basketball was my life, and when it was over I did get lost but I took everything I learned from the game and put those practices into my life and I turned out alright

Gil saying he's a basketball player is where these guys have trouble. Basketball was an activity that turned into a profession. It was never who you were. They leaned on this identity, and when it was gone is when the real work needs to take place...finding out who you are, not what you are.

K mart can't even pretend he don't like McCants lmaooooo I'm deady

EVERY HOOPER THAT PLAYED PAST HIGH SCHOOL GOES THROUGH THIS ONCE THE BALL STOPS NOT JUST NBA PLAYERS!

This was arguably one of Gilbert Arenas best shows, educating the audience on real life. This was nice because it had nothing to do with propping up favorite NBA players, talking about the money being made, comparing eras etc. It's simple real homely talk. I could see it in their eyes how they missed the limelight, the cameras, the money, the attention etc. This platform is like gracefully detoxing from the game, because they know this is as close at it gets to where they came from. It's like a sad ending to a good story. And what people don't understand, is that playing professional sports allows them to live a fairytale lifestyle, living out all the fantasies they ever wanted in life. Traveling around the world, meeting celebrities from all walks of life, government officials, the women, wild sex parties, etc. Suddenly everything comes to a crashing end and it's all over. I see former players like Patrick Ewing, Gary Payton, Michael Jordan, Anfernee Penny Hardaway, George iceman Gervin as they've gained weight over the years as they've aged. Then you see people like Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Jerry West, and you see father time has engulfed them so they stay away from the cameras as much as possible. Some end up going to jail in trying to keep that money flowing with fake insurance policies, Eddie Johnson went to prison after turning to a life of crime, he's now deceased. Once prolific scorer John Drew went homeless, as did Ray Williams and Delonte West. Heck I wouldn't be surprised if Shaquill Oneal suddenly died of a heart attack from gaining so much weight since his retirement, Kendrick Perkins as well, along with Antoine Walker. All of those guys are well over 350 to 400 lbs easily. Life after sports is gruesome. I didn't play professional sports but I played in college and recreational until around 36 before I stopped altogether, and I played at 175lbs at 6'4. I ended up gaining weight and ballooned all the way up to 335lbs before I decided to get it together and lose the weight, I got it all the way down to 198lbs at age 49, jogging, doing pushups, crunches and yoga. Plus I had to stop the eating and push away from the table at Kenyon Martin said. I know I'm being long winded but this was good stuff, thanks guys.

Millionaires talking about there life sucks while I’m eating a lunchable

So the Argument of 🏆 over money is now settled Gill said it himself. After you done the money doesn't matter.

The NBA should create an age 35+ NBA league for players who aren’t in the NBA anymore. 32 game season. 16 teams. 8 man roster. 8 minute quarters. Similar to the Senior PGA in Golf.

Gill's "what was the question again!?!" After McCants rant was too funny 😂😂😂. K-mart just made it worse 😂😂😂

Mccants be killing me 😂😂

This clip felt like I watched a funeral 😂 the sad faces were too somber

I love hearing Kenyon’s perspective. Real OG

McCant is my guy but regardless of all he said , you’re still a civilian bro lol

People see the money and think life great But a lot of guys lose their purpose. You been age 13, for some younger, committed to one thing. Then there’s the aches and pains of the injuries from when you played. Losing your sense of purpose is one of the most harmful things athletes face post career. Especially mentally.

Man this was a REAL conversation

Gil , assessment in life as a NBA player was excellent , raw and very informative!!

Nick look like he was in ross

You can tell Gilbert spent lots of time after basketball reflecting on himself and his life, real growth.

Very well said by Rashad. It applies to many other situations in life. Sometimes you’ve got to embrace the pain / disappointment and rebuild yourself from there.

I wouldn’t recognize McCants out in public

You guys don't understand How much is available to you You guys are needed

Omg Nick Young is so funny 😂😂😂

BEST And MOST informed show thus far .. ALL NBA AND OTHER SPORTS PLAYERS SHOULD STUDY THIS..

If Gil talked like this and kept it honest like this it would be so much better than his hot takes

Kmart shady when McCants talking lmao

Rashad’s answer felt defensive and lame. Just be real and honest, dude. We know you for playing 5 years in the league and for being on Gil’s show. The richer, more accomplished players on this episode gave more honest answers than the dude that played for a few seasons.

It's clear that K Mart don't rock with McCants.

The lvl of respect i have for gil since i found this channel...

People should give gil a lot more credit for his perspectives.its an honest one the he articulates very well.

We need more retired nba players talking about this. So common, and finding ways to avoid it

McCants is a perfect example of how thin a line there is between confidence and delusion. Everytime he speaks I’m back on NBA reference like idk maybe I read his stats wrong or somethin 😂

To Be Far Rashaad is a grown ass 30-40 something year old man wearing a crown shit is crazy 😂

Life after the NBA is great for the elite of the elite, Kobe, Lebron, Jordan, Magic. You have to be iconic and your star power never dies. But for guys like Gil you have to actually do something after you retire

That was an award winning segment right there, no cap.

Gil is the only one who gave a truthful answer. These guys have lived in a bubble their entire lives and now they are own their own. Comparing it to be in the military or prison is a good comparison. Those folks have lived in a rigid structure their entire adult life and that is gone. The fact that it will take most of them a lifetime to make a fraction of what the made in one year playing in the NBA is sobering. Their prime is over when most folks are just hitting theirs. Really hard to compare a normal citizen to a former pro athlete.

Bruh was Kenyon laughing at Gil or was he laughing at McCants when Gil said “what was the question” ? lol!!!! I swear McCants ego is as big as I’ve seen on an average player!!! Deion is probably has the biggest ego in all of sports but at least he had the accolades to bag it up!!! McCants was a average player

This is an interesting topic because we see mega stars and it's hard to sympathize with "the struggle" of their life after the NBA BUT, for "normal" players, this can be somewhat relatable.

I appreciate the realness of this conversation. So many people struggle with everyday life & at times we forget that athletes are humans too & deal with real world struggles even with all the fame & money