Miami Heat’s Shane Battier turned down offer to run for Senate in Michigan
Miami Heat forward Shane Battier has had his fill of pressure-filled moments.
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Battier made several big shots during the Heat’s playoff run last year. Battier slid in at power forward to stretch the floor for the Heat and things worked out very well. He knocked down big shot after big shot as the Heat won the Eastern Conference Finals over the Indiana Pacers and the NBA Finals over the San Antonio Spurs, in seven games each.
What could be more pressure-filled than that?
Being a politician, of course.
According to Zach Lowe of Grandland, Battier turned down a chance to for Senate in the state of Michigan.
"Battier is nearing retirement now, and he can no longer shoot, dribble, or defend like he once did. The Michigan Democratic Party recently called him to see if he might consider running to replace U.S. Senator Carl Levin, Battier said. He declined, but he’s closer to retirement than he is to the player who helped Miami unlock its identity. He has enjoyed the rivalry, which has produced an intensity so serious that Battier said he has never discussed it even in quiet moments with any of Indiana’s players. “No, no, no,” he said. “The way the games have gone, that just wouldn’t be a possibility.”"
Battier, who has been praised for his intelligence since he arrived at Duke way back in 1997, could likely have a successful career in politics if he wanted.
Of course, his basketball career his far from over. His Heat have a 3-1 series lead over the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals. Game 5 is Wednesday night at 8:30 pm EST.