Stephen Curry Pushed Steve Nash into Retirement
In the latest episode of Mind the Game, co-hosted by LeBron James and Steve Nash, Stephen Curry shared a funny yet moving story about the former Suns star. The story highlights a turning point in Nash’s career and his realization that his playing days were coming to an end.
The Game That Changed Everything
During a preseason matchup against the Golden State Warriors, Nash experienced firsthand how much the game had evolved. The Warriors dominated early, showing a new pace and style that left the veteran struggling to keep up.
“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.”
Only a few days after that game, Nash made his decision.
“I called Mitch Kupchak to tell him my decision. Steph, you’ve kicked me out of basketball (laughs).”
A Transition Between Generations
This confession, filled with humor and humility, marked the symbolic passing of the torch between two eras: the creative playmaker of the 2000s and the sharpshooter who would redefine modern basketball. The meeting on the court illustrated how Curry’s play style signaled a new phase in NBA evolution.
Life After Retirement
After retiring in 2015, Steve Nash continued contributing to the game as a player development consultant from 2015 to 2020. In this role, he wasn’t part of the full-time staff but consistently worked with players, especially guards and point guards, sharing his deep knowledge of the game.
Author’s Summary
Stephen Curry’s explosive performance in a preseason game made Steve Nash realize his physical limits, leading to his heartfelt decision to retire and later mentor future generations of players.