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 from Nash's career. The former Suns point guard recalled how a preseason game against the Warriors made him realize his body could no longer keep up.
How Stephen Curry Made Nash Recognize His Limits
During a friendly match against Golden State, Curry exploded offensively. Nash 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 a few days later, Nash made the tough decision to retire. He explained,
“I called Mitch Kupchak to tell him my decision. Steph, you’ve kicked me out of basketball (laughs).”
This sincere and humorous confession highlights the transition between two NBA generations: the 2000s playmaker-artist like Nash and the shooter who transformed the league, represented by Curry.
Post-Retirement Collaboration
After retiring in 2015, Steve Nash served as a player development consultant until 2020. Although not a full-time staff member, he worked closely with players, especially guards and point guards, sharing his expertise.
Author's Summary: Stephen Curry's dynamic play pushed Steve Nash to retire, marking a pivotal NBA generational shift, followed by Nash's impactful role as a player development consultant.