Legendary basketball player Candace Parker appeared on Inside the NBA after the New York Knicks took on the Indiana Pacers in the second round of the playoffs, and she discussed the reasoning behind her retirement decision, citing a similar reason that Shaquille O'Neal decided to retire from playing basketball as well.

“I recently saw your podcast where you were talking about why you retired, because you felt like you weren't ‘him' anymore,” Candace Parker said to Shaquille O'Neal on Inside the NBA. “And I think that that was part of the reason why you know I thought it was time, and the game is like, you realize after a long time, you've dominated for a long time and now you can't do it. And it's just not as fun anymore, and so I appreciate you being a role model for me, not only on the court because we know what you do, but off the court. I'm trying to be a businesswoman like you. And so thank you for raising the bar and continue to be a great friend and partner for me.”

Parker is set up well for a career after her playing days. As mentioned in the included clip, she was recently named the president of Adidas women's basketball and will make an impact in that area. She also has been a part of broadcasts for the NBA and March Madness in recent years, and it does not seem like she is going anywhere on that front. It will be interesting to see what she does after her retirement and what she does to impact women's basketball even more than she already has.

A look back on Candace Parker's career

Parker made a huge impact in her days at the Tennessee women's basketball program playing for coach Pat Summitt. In her three years, Parker won two national championships and two National Player of the Year awards, among other accolades. She will always go down as one of the greatest college basketball players of all time.

She did not stop there, as she had a long and very successful WNBA career. She came into the league with the Los Angeles Sparks, winning the MVP award in her rookie season. She stayed with the Sparks for 13 seasons, winning another MVP award in the 2013 season, and adding her first WNBA championship in 2016.

After the 2020 season and winning the Defensive Player of the Year award, Parker moved from the Sparks to the Chicago Sky, where she spent two seasons and won the 2021 WNBA title.

In 2023, Parker joined the Las Vegas Aces, forming a superteam with the defending champions as she played with stars like A'ja Wilson, Kelsey Plum and others on the roster. Parker suffered an injury that kept her out for the rest of the season, but the Aces did win the title, giving Parker her third ring.

Parker is one of the greats of women's basketball, and she will undoubtedly continue to make an impact after her playing day.s