Miami Heat power forward Shane Battier has spoken out about his retirement at the end of the NBA post-season, with the player stating that he is exiting the sport on his own terms.

Battier's final games for the Heat will be played as they face the San Antonio Spurs in this season's NBA Finals, with the forward having played out 13 years in basketball's top tier.

"My goals when I started this whole crazy thing, they weren't to win championships or make the All-Defensive team," Battier said in an interview with The AP.

"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."

Game one between the Heat and Spurs gets underway on Thursday in Texas.