Steve Nash Reveals Defining Moment with Stephen Curry
In a recent episode of the Mind The Game podcast, Steve Nash shared a personal story about a game that influenced his decision to retire from the NBA. The former Canadian point guard described a preseason matchup against the Golden State Warriors, where he was assigned to guard the emerging star Stephen Curry.
A Moment of Realization
During the game, Nash came to understand that his physical abilities were declining. Reflecting on his condition, he expressed his struggle to play through injury and the mental toll it took on him. Nash said:
“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
Stephen Curry, laughing, recalled that night in Ontario, California. Nash recounted the difficulty of defending the young guard, whose exceptional talent was already clear:
“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.”
Context of the Conversation
The podcast included notable guests such as LeBron James and Stephen Curry, contributing to the discussion about career-defining moments and physical limits in professional basketball.
Summary
Steve Nash’s encounter with Stephen Curry during that preseason game marked a turning point that led him to confront the realities of aging and injury, ultimately influencing his NBA retirement decision.
Author’s summary: Steve Nash’s struggle to keep up with Stephen Curry during a preseason game highlighted his physical decline, prompting reflection that contributed to his NBA retirement.