In the latest episode of Mind the Game, the podcast co-hosted by LeBron James and Steve Nash, Stephen Curry shared a memorable and heartfelt story from the former Suns point guard. Nash described how a preseason game against the Warriors made him realize his body had reached its limits.
During a friendly match against Golden State, Nash 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 decided to retire. He said:
“I called Mitch Kupchak to tell him my decision. Steph, you’ve kicked me out of basketball (laughs).”
This self-deprecating confession highlights the generational shift between the playmaker-artist of the 2000s and the shooter who changed the NBA.
After retiring in 2015, Steve Nash became a player development consultant until 2020. While not a full-time staff member, he regularly worked with players, focusing especially on guards and point guards.
Summary: Stephen Curry’s impact on the NBA not only changed the game style but also prompted legends like Steve Nash to recognize their physical limits and retire, marking a clear generational transition.