Stephen Curry Pushed Steve Nash into Retirement
In a recent episode of the podcast Mind the Game, co-hosted by LeBron James and Steve Nash, Stephen Curry shared a humorous yet heartfelt story from Nash’s career. The former Suns point guard recalled how one preseason game against the Golden State Warriors made him recognize that his playing days were over.
How Curry Became the Turning Point
During that exhibition match, Curry’s relentless pace and energy exposed Nash’s physical limitations. Nash described being unable to keep up as Golden State’s offense dominated the court.
“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 decided to step away from the game.
“I called Mitch Kupchak to tell him my decision. Steph, you’ve kicked me out of basketball (laughs).”
A Symbol of Generational Change
This moment became an unfiltered snapshot of transition in basketball — from the creative playmakers of the 2000s to the era of the dynamic sharpshooters led by Curry. It illustrated the evolution of the sport more vividly than any statistic.
Life After Retirement
After retiring in 2015, Nash remained involved in the league by serving as a player development consultant between 2015 and 2020. Though not a full-time staff member, he frequently worked with guards and point guards, guiding the next generation of players.
Author’s Summary
Stephen Curry’s performance against Steve Nash symbolized a generational handoff in basketball, inspiring Nash’s retirement and shaping his later role as a mentor to rising NBA talents.