Iverson's return a question mark

LOS ANGELES -- Allen Iverson's frustration was evident when asked to explain why he signed with the Grizzlies if he didn't want to come off the bench.

"Man, enough is enough," Iverson said as he dressed for Friday's game against the Lakers. "Is this the only thing that's going on with the Memphis Grizzlies? There's got to be something else when it comes to the Memphis Grizzlies besides Allen Iverson starting or not starting. There's got to be something else to talk about."

The headlines swirling around the Grizzlies during their 1-6 start have had more to do with the future Hall of Fame guard sitting, stretching and yawning on the bench than the exploits of any player on the court.

Less than 24 hours after the disgruntled Iverson's third performance as a reserve in three games this season (eight points and three assists in 21 minutes in a 114-98 loss to the Lakers), he was on a flight to his home in Atlanta while his teammates were back at Staples Center to play the Clippers. No one knew when or if Iverson would return.

"We know as much as you," center Marc Gasol said. "All I know is he's gone."

Team sources said Iverson took an indefinite leave for personal reasons that had nothing to do with being frustrated with his role; he did not ask to be traded or waived by the Grizzlies, who signed him to a one-year, $3.1 million contract in September.

That might be the case, but the look on coach Lionel Hollins' face after Iverson left painted the picture of a man who was tired of discussing the 10-time All-Star as his team struggles to find its identity.

"It's a team game and we can't win with one guy," Hollins said. "We have to have all 12 guys contributing to us winning. That means playing defense, that means rebounding and that means moving the basketball. I understand star power and that's to be expected, and I wouldn't even mind talking about Allen's star power if it was about the game and the performances he puts out during the game versus what Allen's said and what he will or won't do."

To say that Iverson and Hollins haven't gotten along would be a major understatement. Frustrated with Hollins, Iverson has taken to venting his criticisms through assistant coaches rather than the head coach himself, while Hollins has not tried to bridge the communication gap with a meeting.

"The worst part is that while all this is going on, we haven't talked to each other," Iverson said on Friday. "That's probably why it's at this point right now. We just never had a conversation. It's probably always going to be hard for me and him to see eye-to-eye when we never even talked to each other."