Former Los Angeles Lakers forward Caron Butler announced his retirement from the NBA in a piece published on the Player’s Tribune, and he spent a decent portion of the essay announcing the move by reflecting on his relationship with Miami Heat executive Pat Riley.
Butler fondly remembered how Riley drafted him out of UConn and helped teach him the professionalism he’d need to make it for 16 years in the NBA during his first two seasons in Miami. Butler previously told LakersNation.com that Riley instilled a belief the ‘rookie wall’ was nothing more than a mental block.