Stephen Curry pushed Steve Nash into retirement

Stephen Curry Pushed Steve Nash into Retirement

In the latest episode of Mind the Game, the podcast co-hosted by LeBron James and Steve Nash, Stephen Curry shared a touching and amusing story told by former Suns point guard Steve Nash.

How Steve Nash Realized His Career Was Ending

During a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors, Nash felt the limits of his body. He recalled:

“They put like 50 points on us in the first quarter. He was running everywhere, my back was shot, everything was out of whack, I was dragging myself, and Steve Kerr was making them play everything off of me.”

A few days later, Nash made his decision to retire:

“I called Mitch Kupchak to tell him my decision. Steph, you’ve kicked me out of basketball (laughs).”

Transition Between Generations

This moment highlights the shift between two NBA eras — from the playmaker-artist style of the 2000s represented by Nash to the shooter-focused approach that Curry helped revolutionize.

Steve Nash’s Role After Retirement

Nash retired in 2015.
He worked as a player development consultant from 2015 to 2020.
Although not on full-time staff, he regularly assisted players, especially guards and point guards.

The two basketball icons collaborated closely after Nash’s retirement, demonstrating the generational connection between them.

Author’s summary: Stephen Curry’s dynamic playstyle influenced Steve Nash’s decision to retire, marking an important generational shift in the NBA.

Ninety-Nine Yards — 2025-11-06