Conflicting Reports Circulating About Iverson Retirement

When controversial Memphis Grizzlies shooting guard Allen Iverson left the team on Saturday to return home to his family, controversy immediately began to circulate about his frustration over a lack of optimal playing time.

Iverson, who has made it no secret that he has wanted to see more playing time, had been a reserve for the Grizzlies prior to his departure due to the team's top priority of allowing their young talent such as starting guard O.J. Mayo to develop.

While initial rumors indicated that Iverson had merely been fed up and legitimately contemplating retirement, Memphis Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley has come forward to announce that Iverson left the team with his permission as a result of family issues. Heisley expressed his opinion that Iverson's personal life should not be addressed publicly and that it should remain as a private, in-house matter.

Heisley said, "I'm not going to get into the personal reason but it has nothing to do with the other stuff. I'm the guy who said he could go. It's a real family issue that I don't think should be reported."

The Memphis Commercial Appeal is the media source that initially indicated that Iverson had been contemplating retirement out of frustration over his lack of playing time earlier this morning and despite the owner's response to the situation, it still appears to be a possibility.