Steve Nash Reveals Career-Defining Moment with Stephen Curry
In a recent episode of the Mind The Game podcast, Steve Nash recounted a personal and unexpected story involving Stephen Curry that influenced his decision to retire from the NBA.
The Pivotal Preseason Game
The former Canadian point guard shared that the defining moment occurred during a preseason match against the Golden State Warriors. Nash was tasked with guarding the emerging star from San Francisco, Stephen Curry.
That night, Nash realized he was no longer the player he once was physically.
Reflection on Physical Condition
The conversation, which featured LeBron James and Stephen Curry as guests, captured Nash's vivid memory of the experience and how it made him rethink his future in basketball.
“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?’”
Curry’s Memory of the Night
Curry joined the conversation with laughter, recalling that game in Ontario, California. Nash described the difficulty of matching the young guard's skill and speed, as Curry was already displaying remarkable talent.
“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."
Summary
This match demonstrated to Nash the limits of his physical condition and played a crucial role in his decision to end his NBA career.
Author's summary: Steve Nash’s matchup against Stephen Curry revealed his physical decline, profoundly shaping his decision to retire from professional basketball.