



Miami Heat forward Shane Battier says he’s not preparing for next season as though it’s his last in the NBA. Battier, a free agent next summer, isn’t quite ready to walk away yet. Per the Sun-Sentinel: “Last week during a Twitter question-and-answer session, Battier was asked about his inspiration for a potential third consecutive championship. He replied, ‘Go out on top, if this is it.’ Monday, before a motivational appearance with the students at St. Mark’s Episcopal School, he said with his three-year contract expiring at season’s end, it only makes sense to take stock. ‘I’m realistic to where I am at this point in my life,’ he said, after playing most of last season as a reserve and seeing limited action for an extended stretch of the playoffs. ‘I’d like to finish my contract strong with the Miami Heat, and then we’ll see where we go.’ Battier, though, said there would not be any sort of retirement tour, with possibilities still remaining in 2014 free agency. ‘This door is always open,’ he said. ‘This is not a farewell tour, no. But if it is, it is. And I’ll enjoy this year and try to make the most of it.’ Battier is one of several Heat veterans about to enter the final year of their contracts, joining Ray Allen, Rashard Lewis and James Jones. Training camp opens Oct. 1 at AmericanAirlines Arena.”

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