Steve Nash on Stephen Curry’s Impact on His Career
In a recent episode of the Mind The Game podcast, Steve Nash shared a personal and surprising story about how Stephen Curry influenced a defining moment in his career. Nash revealed that this experience played a significant role in his decision to retire from the NBA.
The Defining Game
The moment occurred during a preseason game between Nash’s team and the Golden State Warriors. Nash was assigned to guard the emerging star from San Francisco, Stephen Curry. This game made Nash confront his physical limits as he struggled to keep up with Curry’s remarkable talent.
Reflecting on Physical Condition
During the podcast conversation, which included guests LeBron James and Stephen Curry, Nash recalled the experience vividly. He shared how the challenge made him evaluate his body and future in professional 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?’”
Stephen Curry laughed as he remembered that night in Ontario, California, highlighting the intensity of the matchup.
The Struggle on the Court
Nash described the difficulty of defending Curry as the young guard showcased his skill.
“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 game made Nash realize his physical decline and ultimately influenced his decision to end his NBA career.
Author’s summary: Steve Nash’s intense matchup against Stephen Curry revealed his physical limits and prompted the reflection that led to his NBA retirement decision.