Iverson Returns, Unhappy About Role

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Allen Iverson made his debut for the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night in Sacramento, and for someone who hasn't played in a month or so, it wasn't too bad of one. Iverson, returning from a partial left hamstring tear, had 11 points in 18 minutes in the Memphis' 127-116 overtime loss.

He said the hamstring felt fine. But it was another part of his body that Iverson wasn't feeling so good.

"I had no problems (with the hamstring)," Iverson said afterward. "I had a problem with my butt from sitting on that bench so long. That's the only thing I got a problem with."

Iverson checked into Monday's game with four-and-a-half minutes remaining in the first quarter and finished up the period. But he didn't return until the third quarter, and that's when he strung some buckets together.

But Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins took out Iverson down the stretch of the fourth quarter, allowing Mike Conley to finish up regulation. Iverson's postgame comments seem to make it clear that he wants to be a starter for the Grizzlies -- and maybe someday he will be.

"I'm not a reserve basketball player. I've never been a reserve all my life and I'm not going to start looking at myself as a reserve."
- Allen Iverson But Hollins seemed incredulous before the game when he was asked if Iverson would be in the starting lineup against the Kings.

"He hasn't even been with the team until just a couple of days ago," Hollins said. "He's going to come off the bench. He hasn't played all preseason, hasn't played the three regular-season games (leading up to Sacramento). He only practiced three days in training camp before he got hurt so there's no way I would trot him out there in a starting role."

Apparently, Hollins might want to think about doing it for Wednesday's game against the Warriors. Iverson made it clear he doesn't fashion himself a sixth man; never has.

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"Yeah, I'll be disappointed (if he's a sub this season)," Iverson said. "I'm not a reserve basketball player. I've never been a reserve all my life and I'm not going to start looking at myself as a reserve. ... To answer the question, 'No, I'm not a bench player. I'm not a sixth man. Go look at my resume and that will show you I'm not a sixth man."

Hollins said afterward he doesn't think a three-guard lineup with Mike Conley, O.J. Mayo and Iverson will work. It's got too many defensive deficiencies, according to the coach. Maybe so. But Iverson already seems to be putting the pressure on.

When asked how he felt out there, Iverson responded: "It felt like me. I've been playing basketball 26 years. That's what I do. I'm a professional at it. It felt like me."

And there's no doubt, Iverson feels like he's a starter.

More Steinmetz on Twitter: @matt_steinmetz