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 touching story from the former Suns point guard. Nash recalled how a preseason game against the Warriors made him realize his body could no longer keep up.
How Stephen Curry Made Nash See His Limits
Nash described the game: "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 his decision: "I called Mitch Kupchak to tell him my decision. Steph, you’ve kicked me out of basketball (laughs).” This heartfelt and self-deprecating confession highlights the generational shift from the early 2000s playmaker to the shooter who changed the NBA.
Collaboration After Retirement
After retiring in 2015, Steve Nash became a player development consultant. While not part of the full-time staff, he regularly worked with players, especially guards and point guards, from 2015 to 2020.
"Steph, you’ve kicked me out of basketball (laughs)."
This moment captures the mutual respect and transition between two basketball eras.
Author's summary: Stephen Curry’s dominant playing style pushed Steve Nash to retire, symbolizing a shift between NBA generations and leading to their eventual collaboration in player development.