Steve Nash Comically Reveals How Stephen Curry Pushed Him Into Retirement
Steve Nash humorously remembers how guarding Stephen Curry during a preseason game convinced him to retire. His time with the Los Angeles Lakers turned out to be disappointing as injuries accumulated and his body struggled to keep up.
Lakers fans accepted Nash's decline before he did, but confronting Curry brought clarity in a moment that was both painful and amusing. On the latest episode of Mind the Game with LeBron James, Nash shared how playing against Curry helped him realize he needed to step away from basketball, according to Silver Screen and Roll.
“I gotta find out, can I play hurt or what’s the point?”
During a preseason matchup between the Lakers and Warriors, Golden State dominated the first quarter 39-13, leaving Nash, a two-time MVP, questioning his future.
“I’m guarding Steph. I couldn’t stop him if I was 100 percent. I’m dragging around, and Steve Kerr is putting me in every action. I’m looking over at Steve like, ‘C’mon, Stevie.’ They’re laughing at me.”
After a few days, Nash came to a decision:
“Yeah, I think it’s time.”
That preseason game against Golden State marked the unofficial end of Nash’s career. He played the entire first quarter alongside Kobe Bryant, finishing with three points, two rebounds, and an assist as the Warriors outplayed the Lakers.
Summary
Steve Nash's humorous account of guarding Stephen Curry highlights the moment he accepted retirement, underscoring the physical challenges he faced late in his career.