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 and humorous story from Nash, the former Suns point guard. Nash recalled how a preseason game against the Warriors revealed that his physical limits had been reached.
How Stephen Curry Influenced the New Generation
During a friendly match against Golden State, 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 his decision to retire. He explained,
“I called Mitch Kupchak to tell him my decision. Steph, you’ve kicked me out of basketball (laughs).”
This candid confession illustrates the shift between two NBA generations: the skilled playmaker of the 2000s and the transformative shooter who redefined the league.
Steve Nash’s Role After Retirement
After retiring in 2015, Steve Nash worked from 2015 to 2020 as a player development consultant. Though not a full-time staff member, he regularly collaborated with players, especially guards and point guards.
“Steph, you’ve kicked me out of basketball (laughs).”
This moment captures the transition of NBA eras and the mutual respect between two of its standout players.
Author's summary: Steve Nash’s retirement was influenced by Stephen Curry’s dynamic style, symbolizing a generational change in the NBA and leading Nash to mentor the next wave of players.