Steve Nash on Stephen Curry's Impact on His Career
In a recent episode of the Mind The Game podcast, Steve Nash shared a revealing and personal story involving Stephen Curry—an experience that significantly influenced Nash's decision to retire from the NBA.
The Defining Moment During Preseason
Nash, the former Canadian point guard, recounted that the pivotal moment occurred in a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors. Tasked with guarding the rising star Stephen Curry, Nash quickly realized he no longer had the physical edge he once possessed.
“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?’”
Reflections During the Conversation
The episode featured both LeBron James and Stephen Curry as guests. Nash vividly recalled how that matchup made him confront his physical limits and question his future in basketball.
Curry, laughing, chimed in with memories of that night in Ontario, California. Nash described the struggle to keep pace with Curry, who was already showcasing his extraordinary 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.”
Conclusion
This experience was a turning point for Nash, marking the end of his playing days as he recognized the gap between his condition and the emerging talent of Curry.
Summary: Steve Nash revealed that guarding Stephen Curry during a preseason game was a crucial moment that highlighted Nash’s physical decline and ultimately led to his retirement from the NBA.