Stephen Curry Pushed Steve Nash into Retirement
In a recent episode of Mind the Game, the podcast hosted by LeBron James and Steve Nash, Golden State star Stephen Curry shared a humorous yet touching story about Nash’s retirement. The former Suns point guard revealed how a single preseason game convinced him that his playing days were over.
The Game That Changed Everything
During a preseason matchup against the Warriors, Nash realized his body could no longer keep up with the pace of the new generation.
“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).”
Passing the Torch
This honest and self-deprecating moment captures the transition between two basketball eras — the creative playmakers of the 2000s and the sharpshooting innovators led by Stephen Curry, who would go on to transform the modern NBA.
Life After Retirement
After retiring in 2015, Steve Nash joined the Warriors as a player development consultant, serving from 2015 to 2020. Though not part of the full-time staff, he regularly mentored players, focusing especially on guards and point guards.
Author’s summary: Steve Nash's reflection on facing Stephen Curry marks the symbolic handover from one NBA era to the next, blending humor with respect between two generations of greats.