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Battier on retirement: 'I wanted to leave on my terms,' Heat CEO thinks he'll be president

Shane Battier's impending retirement is the worst kept secret in the NBA Finals. He had all but confirmed it previously anyway, but then news leaked early in the week that he already has post-career plans in place with ESPN.

In an interview with The Associated Press ahead of Thursday night's Game 1, Battier was already speaking like a man who's hung 'em up, not one with seven games left to play.

It's clear, however, that Battier is at peace with the decision, and the way he talks about his career elicits a lot of respect:

My goals when I started this whole crazy thing, they weren't to win championships or make the All-Defensive team. It was to play 10 years and to be able to walk away from the game before the game kicked me out.
...
I wanted to come in on my terms. I wanted to play on my terms. I wanted to leave on my terms. It may not be the best financial decision, but I'm kind of excited to live out that dream.

In terms of what comes next, Battier expressed an appreciation of work-life balance, but Miami Heat CEO Nick Arison, the team manager when Battier played at Duke, sees Battier being a little busier in retirement:

"If Shane was president one day, I wouldn't be surprised," Arison said.

Considering some wanted Battier to run for Senate in his home state of Michigan immediately after retiring, Arison doesn't seem like he's alone in that sentiment.

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