Draymond GreenForward, Golden State Warriors

Shane Battier talks joining the HEAT👀 #draymondgreen #nba #miamiheat

22 Feb 2024 · 0 min

Watch on YouTube

0:06

In a brief interview, Draymond Green asks Shane Battier about his experience joining the Miami Heat during LeBron James' second season with the team. Battier recounts his initial skepticism toward the newly formed 'Big Three' and how a loss to Dallas, combined with his status as a free agent and lack of a championship, motivated him to sign with Miami. He describes the Heat's post‑loss humility, a palpable edge and confidence that surged after the lockout, culminating in a vivid memory of ring night when the team’s anger and belief in winning were unmistakable. The conversation highlights Battier's personal decision‑making process, the team's emotional climate, and the confidence that preceded their championship run.

You joined the Heat, LeBron's second year there. What was the energy like with you going in there after that?
I was like everybody else. When the Big Three came together, I was rolling my eyes, being like, "Oh, come on, man. Like, really?" But as soon as they lost to Dallas, I was, my first time I was ever a free agent in my career. And I'm like, "Huh, I have never won a championship. They're gonna win a championship. I should go to Miami." And that was my thinking. And so when I got there, I think they learned a lot and they really got, humbled by Dallas. And the edge that that team had going back the next year, I've never seen a team like that. I'll never forget ring night. It was after the lockout. We're back in the tunnel back there in Dallas, and you could just see them, everyone just so angry. And like the edge you could feel just like, oh man. I look around, I'm like, oh man, we winning this.
Yeah. We are winning this.