Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has shot down the idea that Allen Iverson is mulling retirement as he takes an indefinite leave of absence for a personal matter.

Frustration stemming from his reserve role combined with the stress related to a recent family issue has caused Iverson to consider hanging up his jersey for good, The Commercial Appeal of Memphis reported Monday morning.

But Heisley said there was no indication of such consideration by the 34-year-old guard, and the owner told the newspaper that “if he was going to retire, he’d tell me first.”

Iverson returned to his home in Atlanta late last week with Heisley’s permission.

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Rudy Gay listened as Grizzlies’ teammate O.J. Mayo talked of the team’s need to meld at practice and couldn’t stop himself from piping in, “Practice?”

Oh yes, the player who’s been with the Memphis Grizzlies the longest has seen video of Allen Iverson’s infamous 2002 rant during a feud with Larry Brown about missing practice and heard that word maybe 20 times in the clip. Still, Gay and the other Grizzlies are eager to learn from and play with the 10-time All-Star and former league MVP. They’re also hoping he helps them win more games.

“Actually getting a chance to sit down and talk to him really shows his growth,” Gay said of Iverson. “Of course, that was a while ago, and Allen Iverson is a talented player. To see his growth from then to now and how much he’s turned into a leader and how much he wants to win. … It’s definitely someplace he wants to influence and bring that winning to Memphis.”


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