Steve Nash Credits Steph Curry for Prompting Retirement
On a recent episode of the "Mind the Game" podcast, Steve Nash recounted the moment he realized his NBA career was over, with Steph Curry playing a key part in that realization.
2014 Preseason Game Against the Warriors
The moment took place during the 2014-15 preseason when Nash's Los Angeles Lakers played the Golden State Warriors in Ontario, California. The Warriors dominated, scoring 39 points in the first quarter and winning 116–75 overall. Curry scored 12 points in the first 2:30 and ended with 25 points in just 24 minutes.
“I’m guarding Steph,” Nash said. “They put up like 50 in the first quarter -- maybe it was 45, but it felt like a 50-piece. I couldn’t have stopped him if I was 100 percent.”
Realization of Retirement
Already struggling with back issues, Nash knew he couldn’t keep pace with Curry’s quick movements around screens. A few days after the game, Nash jokingly told Curry:
“Man, literally like three more, four more days of thinking on it, I was like… yeah. I think it’s time. You put me out!”
In July 2014, Nash had announced the upcoming season would be his last. He played only three preseason games before his back problems resurfaced. On October 23, 2014, just days before the season opener, Nash was ruled out for the entire season and never returned to NBA play.
Summary
Steve Nash humorously attributes part of his decision to retire to Steph Curry’s incredible performance, acknowledging that his physical condition and Curry’s dominance made continuing impossible.
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