Steve Nash Reveals Stephen Curry's Impact on His Career
In a recent episode of the Mind The Game podcast, Steve Nash shared a personal and eye-opening story about his encounter with Stephen Curry that influenced his decision to retire from the NBA.
The Defining Moment
Nash explained that this turning point occurred during a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, where he was assigned to defend the emerging star, Stephen Curry. That night, Nash realized his physical abilities had declined.
“My nerves were shot, and I just couldn’t recover. I thought, ‘I have to figure this out.’ It had been a week since my last game. We were going to play them in the preseason, and I kept thinking, ‘I have to play through the injury. And if not, what’s the point?’”
The Challenge of Matching Curry
During the podcast conversation, which included LeBron James and Stephen Curry as guests, Nash vividly recalled the intensity of guarding Curry, who was already displaying his remarkable skills.
“We got on the court, and I was guarding Steph. I think they scored like 50 points in the first quarter — maybe 45, but it felt like 50. My back was shot, my body was done.”
Curry chuckled as he remembered that night in Ontario, California, highlighting the moment's significance for Nash.
Summary
Steve Nash’s encounter with Stephen Curry during a preseason game was a harsh reality check that pushed him to accept his physical limits and ultimately retire.
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