Stephen Curry Pushed Steve Nash into Retirement
In the latest episode of Mind the Game, the podcast co-hosted by LeBron James and Steve Nash, Stephen Curry shared a memorable and heartfelt story about the former Suns point guard.
How Steve Nash Realized It Was Time to Retire
Nash described a simple preseason game against the Warriors that made him recognize his physical limits. He said,
"They put like 50 points on us in the first quarter. He was running everywhere, my back was shot, everything was out of whack, I was dragging myself, and Steve Kerr was making them play everything off of me.”
Just days later, Nash made his decision to retire. He recalled calling Mitch Kupchak:
"Steph, you’ve kicked me out of basketball (laughs)."
Generational Shift in the NBA
This anecdote reflects the transition between two eras: the playmaker and artist of the 2000s represented by Nash, and the shooter who revolutionized the league, Stephen Curry.
Collaboration After Retirement
Following his retirement in 2015, Nash became a player development consultant from 2015 to 2020. Although not a full-time staff member, he regularly worked with players, especially guards and point guards.
Summary: Stephen Curry’s relentless style of play convinced Steve Nash to retire, symbolizing a shift between NBA generations and leading to Nash’s impactful role as a player development consultant.