Steve Nash Shares a Funny Story About Steph Curry Ending His Career
Steve Nash recently recounted a humorous moment when he realized it was time to retire from the NBA, thanks to an encounter with Stephen Curry. The former Phoenix Suns legend played his final two seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, after 16 grueling years in the league that had taken their toll on his body.
The Preseason Game That Changed Everything
Nash described a 2013 preseason matchup between the Lakers and the Golden State Warriors. He used that game to test if he could still perform at a high level. However, what happened next made him reconsider his career’s future.
"We went to play these guys preseason in like 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."
Nash continued, explaining how the experience left him struggling to keep up with the Warriors’ explosive performance, particularly attempting to defend Curry’s relentless play.
"And now I’m like dragging around, Steve Kerr 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.’"
After reflecting on that game for a few more days, Nash realized his time had come to step away from professional basketball.
"Man, literally after three or four more days of thinking on it, I was like, ‘Yeah, I think it’s time to retire.’ I called Mitch Kupchak."
Looking Back with Good Humor
Nash also joked about how Curry indirectly helped push him toward retirement, though he maintains respect for the younger star.
"You deserve a little bit of putting me out to pasture, a little bit of my retirement," Nash said. "When he came into the league, I still felt like the big brother a little bit, like I had the upper hand."
His retelling blends self-awareness with humor, showing the veteran’s ability to laugh at a pivotal moment marking the end of an illustrious career.
Author’s Summary
Steve Nash humorously credited Steph Curry’s dominance in a preseason game for making him realize his playing days were over after 16 esteemed seasons in the NBA.