Steve Nash on Stephen Curry's Impact on His Career
In a recent episode of the Mind The Game podcast, Steve Nash shared a personal and surprising story involving Stephen Curry that influenced his decision to retire from the NBA. The former Canadian point guard recounted a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, where he was assigned to guard the emerging star from San Francisco.
Revelation During Preseason Matchup
That night, Nash realized he was no longer the player he once was. The encounter forced him to confront his physical limits and question his future in basketball. During the conversation, which also featured LeBron James and Stephen Curry, Nash remembered how the challenge made him reflect deeply on his condition.
“My nerves were shot, and I just couldn’t recover. I thought, ‘I have to figure this out.’ It had been a week since my last game. We were going to play them in the preseason, and I kept thinking, ‘I have to play through the injury. And if not, what’s the point?’”
Stephen Curry's Perspective
Curry laughed, recalling that night in Ontario, California. Nash described how difficult it was to keep pace with the young guard, who was already demonstrating his exceptional talent.
“We got on the court, and I was guarding Steph. I think they scored like 50 points in the first quarter — maybe 45, but it felt like 50. My back was shot, my body was done.”
Physical Limits and Realizations
This moment became a defining point in Nash’s career, signaling the decline of his physical abilities and the need to consider retirement.
Author's summary: Steve Nash’s preseason matchup against Stephen Curry revealed to him the physical limits that shaped his retirement decision and marked a turning point in his NBA journey.