Iverson reportedly pondering retirement
Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley says he is not sure of what Allen Iverson's plans are, although he hopes Iverson returns to the team soon.
Heisley granted the 10-time all-star permission Saturday for an indefinite leave to deal with a personal matter. The Commercial Appeal newspaper reported yesterday that Iverson is contemplating retirement.
"I'm not in Allen's head. I don't know what he's thinking," Heisley said yesterday.
"I know he went back to take care of a personal problem. Whether he does something else, I don't know. I'm hoping he comes back. I think he could still play for us, somebody else, what have you. In my opinion, there's two, three years of outstanding play that could come out of Allen Iverson."
Cherry Hill's Leon Rose, Iverson's agent, did not immediately return a message left at his office yesterday.
However, Heisley said the 34-year-old Iverson is struggling while playing at what the former 76ers star feels is less than his previous best.
Iverson, who signed a one-year, incentive-laden deal in September, missed the preseason with a partially torn left hamstring. He made his Grizzlies debut on the road a week ago in California, playing in three games at Sacramento, Golden State and in Los Angeles against the Lakers.
Iverson averaged 22.3 minutes coming off the bench, and he hit 57.3 percent of his shots. He averaged 12.3 points per game for Memphis (1-6).
The Grizzlies are young, with a roster filled with players such as Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, and Michael Conley who need to start and play to keep growing. They also need the scoring Iverson can provide.
"He is a lock-in to be a Hall of Famer, and that is always difficult for someone who has been at that level - to basically play at less than that level," Heisley said. "I'm hoping we can work it out."
