Mike Krzyzewski Advised Shane Battier to Sign With Miami Heat

Duke Coach Mike Krzyzewski played an instrumental role in forward Shane Batter signing with the Miami Heat last summer. According to Battier, Coach K advised him to join forces with the Big 3 because, pretty obviously, that’s where Battier had the best chance of winning a championship. Via DukeChronicle.com: “‘Shane is the kind of player who deserves to be a champion,’ said Nick Arison, who was a manager of the Duke basketball team while Battier played at Duke. While Arison sold Miami to Battier in free agency, he was also encouraged to go to South Beach by another Blue Devil. Battier said he received a call of congratulations from Duke basketball head coach Krzyzewski, who has seen just him and Danny Ferry leave Durham to become NBA champions during his tenure. ‘[Krzyzewski] was the one who wanted me to go to Miami more than anyone else,’ Battier said. ‘In the end, like always, he was right.'”