Steve Nash on Stephen Curry’s Role in His NBA Retirement
Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash shared that Stephen Curry influenced his decision to retire after the 2013–14 season. Nash spent his final two years with the Los Angeles Lakers, forming what became known as one of the least successful super teams alongside Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Dwight Howard. When that project fell apart, Nash still hoped for another push, but age and injuries caught up with him.
A Turning Point Against Curry
Speaking on his show “Mind the Game” with LeBron James, Nash told Curry—who was a guest that week—that facing him was the moment he realized it was time to step away from the game.
“You might know this, but you deserve a little bit of putting me out to pasture, a little bit of my retirement story,” Nash said. “It’s not something I talk about in public much. When he came into the league, I still felt like the big brother. And then he started becoming who he is, and the pendulum shifted.”
The Game That Sealed It
Nash recalled a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors in Ontario, California. He wanted to test himself against the younger Curry, but the outcome was decisive.
“We played these guys in preseason. I was guarding Steph. They put up like 50 in the first quarter—maybe it was 45, but it felt like 50. He’s running everywhere, my back’s gone, everything’s off. I couldn’t have stopped him even at 100%, and I was dragging around,” Nash said.
Author’s Summary
Steve Nash admits that facing Stephen Curry in his later years made him realize his time in the NBA was ending, marking the moment he accepted retirement.