Steve Nash details Stephen Curry’s role in his NBA retirement

Steve Nash Details Stephen Curry’s Role in His NBA Retirement

Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash revealed that Stephen Curry played a key role in his decision to retire after the 2013-14 season. Nash spent the final two years of his career with the Los Angeles Lakers, joining a team featuring Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, and Dwight Howard, often regarded as one of the least successful “super teams.”

After that chapter ended, Nash and the Lakers had renewed hopes, but age was catching up with him. On a recent episode of the Mind the Game show, co-hosted by Nash and LeBron James, the Phoenix Suns legend explained to Curry how competing against him confirmed it was time to step away from the game.

Reflection on the Challenge Against Curry

“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 like to talk about in public a lot. When he came in the league, I still felt like the big brother, you know, I still did. And then he started becoming who he is, and the pendulum shifted.”

Nash wanted to test his physical limits against the younger Curry, but the matchup was tougher than expected.

“And so we went to play these guys’ preseason in Ontario, California, or somewhere. We came out, I’m guarding Steph. I think they put up like 50 in the first quarter. Maybe it was 45, but it felt like a 50-piece. He’s running everywhere, my back is broke, everything’s jacked. I couldn’t have stopped him if I was 100%, and I’m dragging around.”

Summary

Curry's youth and skill on the court highlighted the physical toll age was taking on Nash, ultimately influencing his retirement decision.

Author’s Summary

Steve Nash credits Stephen Curry’s dominant play and youthful energy as a decisive factor in recognizing it was time to retire from the NBA.

The Big Lead — 2025-11-05