Steve Nash Shares Funny Story About Steph Curry Influencing His Retirement
Steve Nash told a humorous story about how Steph Curry made him realize it was time to retire. Nash, a Suns legend, ended his 16-season NBA career after spending his final two years with the Lakers, feeling the physical toll of his long tenure.
Preseason Game Against the Warriors
Reflecting on a 2013 preseason game between the Lakers and the Warriors, Nash recalled trying to prove he could still compete. He said on Mind the Game:
"We went to play these guys preseason in like Ontario, California, or somewhere. 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. 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’."
Realization and Decision to Retire
After that experience, Nash said that a few days of reflection convinced him it was time to step away from basketball. He reached out to Mitch Kupchak to make it official. Nash added:
"You deserve a little bit of putting me out to pasture, a little bit of my retirement. It’s not something I like to talk about in public a lot."
Feeling Like the Veteran
Nash also mentioned the early years when he felt like the "big brother" in the league, still holding an advantage when Curry first arrived.
Summary: Steve Nash humorously recounts how an intense preseason game against Steph Curry helped him recognize the right moment to retire after a remarkable 16-year NBA career.