Steve Nash Shares Defining Career Moment with Stephen Curry
In a recent episode of the Mind The Game podcast, Steve Nash opened up about a personal experience with Stephen Curry that influenced his decision to retire from the NBA. The former Canadian point guard recounted a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors where he was assigned to guard the rising star from San Francisco.
Reflecting on Physical Limits During the Game
Nash realized during that matchup that his physical condition was deteriorating. He shared how the encounter made him reassess his future in basketball.
“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?’”
Curry’s Impact on Nash’s Career
Stephen Curry, joining the conversation with LeBron James and Nash, laughed while recalling that night in Ontario, California. Nash described the difficulty of keeping up with Curry’s emerging 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.”
Summary
This encounter marked a turning point for Nash, highlighting the physical toll on his body and accelerating his decision to step away from professional basketball.
Author’s summary: Steve Nash’s challenging defense against Stephen Curry during a preseason game revealed his declining physical condition and prompted his retirement from the NBA.