Steve Nash Tells Hilarious Story of Steph Curry Forcing His Retirement
Steve Nash shared a memorable story about the moment he realized his NBA career had reached its final chapter — thanks to Steph Curry. The Suns legend, who closed out his playing days with the Los Angeles Lakers, reflected on how a preseason matchup in 2013 against the Golden State Warriors triggered his decision to retire.
The Turning Point
Nash explained that he joined the Lakers for a preseason game in Ontario, California, curious to see if he could still contribute effectively. The quick pace and dominant play of a young Steph Curry provided a harsh reality check.
“We went to play these guys in preseason in Ontario, California, or somewhere,” Nash said on Mind the Game. “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.”
As Nash struggled to keep up, he noted how Warriors coach Steve Kerr and assistant Alvin Gentry had a bit of fun at his expense.
“I’m dragging around, Steve Kerr’s 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’.”
The Decision to Retire
After a few days of reflection, Nash knew it was time to move on from the game he had given so much to.
“Man, literally like three or four more days of thinking on it, I was like, ‘Yeah, I think it’s time to retire.’ I called Mitch Kupchak.”
He even playfully credited Curry with hastening his transition out of the league.
“You deserve a little bit of putting me out to pasture, a little bit of my retirement,” Nash admitted. “It’s not something I like to talk about in public a lot. When he came into the league, I still felt like the big brother a little bit, like I had the upper hand.”
Author’s Summary
Steve Nash humorously recounted how Steph Curry’s dominant preseason performance convinced him that his time in the NBA had finally come to an end.