Steve Nash Humorously Reveals How Stephen Curry Pushed Him Into Retirement
Steve Nash’s time with the Los Angeles Lakers quickly turned disappointing as injuries and physical struggles piled up. Lakers fans accepted this harsh reality before Nash himself did, but a preseason game against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors made Nash confront the truth in a memorable way.
The Moment Nash Realized It Was Time to Retire
On a recent episode of Mind the Game with LeBron James, Nash shared a story about how guarding Curry during preseason clarified his future. Nash recalled,
“I gotta find out, can I play hurt or what’s the point?”
During the game, the Warriors dominated early, scoring 39 points to the Lakers' 13 in the first quarter. Nash described the experience:
“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.”
Reflection and Decision
After a few days of thinking it over, Nash concluded:
“Yeah, I think it’s time.”
This preseason game effectively marked the unofficial end of Nash’s illustrious career. Sharing the court with Kobe Bryant, Nash managed only three points, two rebounds, and an assist while the Warriors outmaneuvered the Lakers.
Summary
Steve Nash’s humorous yet honest reflection highlights how facing a prime Stephen Curry made him realize his body was not keeping up, leading to his basketball retirement.
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