Saturday, Nov. 07, 2009

Report: Iverson leaves Grizzlies for personal reasons

Memphis Grizzlies guard Allen Iverson has reportedly left the team to deal with a personal issue.

According to the Memphis Commercial Appeal, Iverson was granted permission to fly to Atlanta, his offseason home, to deal with the problem.

Iverson, who is in his first year with the Grizzlies, missed the first three games of the season with a hamstring injury before returning. He has come off the bench in each of his three appearances this season, prompting the nine- time All-Star to express his unhappiness with the situation.

The report said the team does not know when Iverson will return.

Iverson is averaging 12.3 points and 3.7 assists in three games this season, playing just over 22 minutes a game.

The 34-year-old started last season with Denver but was traded to Detroit on November 3 after just three games and played 54 games with the Pistons. His season was curtailed by a back problem and he averaged 17.5 points, 5.0 assists and 3.0 rebounds in a combined 57 games, including 53 starts.

The former Georgetown star spent his first 10 full seasons with Philadelphia, leading the 76ers to the NBA Finals in the spring of 2001. He was the league MVP for the 2000-01 season.

Denver acquired Iverson in December 2006 and he spent the remainder of that season and one full year with the Nuggets before last November's deal.