Stephen Curry Pushed Steve Nash into Retirement
In a recent episode of Mind the Game, the podcast co-hosted by LeBron James and Steve Nash, Stephen Curry shared a memorable anecdote about the former Suns point guard’s decision to retire.
How Steve Nash Came to Realize Retirement Was Inevitable
Nash recalled a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors that made him confront his physical limits.
"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 reached out to Mitch Kupchak to announce his retirement.
"I called Mitch Kupchak to tell him my decision. Steph, you’ve kicked me out of basketball (laughs)."
The Generational Shift in the NBA
This candid moment highlights the transition from the playmaker-artist era of the 2000s, represented by Nash, to the new generation defined by sharpshooters like Curry who revolutionized the game.
Post-Retirement Role
After retiring in 2015, Steve Nash served as a player development consultant until 2020. Though not part of the full-time staff, he regularly worked with players, especially guards and point guards.
Summary
Stephen Curry’s dynamic play helped Steve Nash recognize his physical limits, marking a poignant transition between NBA generations and leading Nash to shift to player development after retirement.