Steve Nash Shares Humorous Story About Steph Curry Influencing His Retirement
Steve Nash recounted a memorable and funny moment involving Steph Curry that helped him realize it was time to end his basketball career. The Suns legend, who finished his 16-season NBA journey with the Lakers, described how his body had started to show signs of wear after many years on the court.
Preseason Game Against the Warriors
In 2013, during a preseason matchup between the Lakers and Warriors, Nash tested if he could still perform effectively. He recalled:
“We went to play these guys preseason in like Ontario, California, or somewhere. I think they put up like 50 in the first quarter. Maybe it was 45, but it felt like a 50-piece, right? I couldn’t have probably stopped him even if I were 100 percent.”
Nash humorously described how he struggled to keep up with Curry and the Warriors' coordinator Steve Kerr, saying:
“And now I’m like dragging around Steve Kerr putting me in every action. I’m looking over at Steve like c’mon Stevie. Alvin Gentry over there laughing at me like, ‘No, let’s see what you got’.”
Decision to Retire
After reflecting on the game for a few more days, Nash knew it was time to step away from the game:
“Man, literally like three, four more days of thinking on it, I was like ‘Yeah, I think it’s time [to retire]. I called Mitch Kupchak.”
He admitted that retirement is a sensitive topic but felt deserved after such a long career:
“You deserve a little bit of putting me out to pasture, a little bit of my retirement. It’s not something I like to talk about in public a lot.”
Reflection on His Role
Nash reflected on his early years when Curry entered the league, describing their dynamic as one where he still had the edge:
“When he came into the league, I still felt like the big brother a little bit, I still feel like I’ve got the upper hand here.”
But the 2013 preseason game showed him that the tide was turning.
Author's summary: Steve Nash humorously reveals how a tough preseason game against Steph Curry convinced him it was time to retire after a long, demanding NBA career.