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LOS ANGELES -- Allen Iverson sees no reason to apologize for a week of barbed comments when his only concern is helping the Memphis Grizzlies win, preferably from the starting lineup.

Standing before his locker with bemused frustration on his face Friday night, Iverson downplayed the various controversies caused by his comments during a tumultuous first week in a Memphis uniform.

Iverson returned from a torn right hamstring on Monday and immediately said he didn't like coming off the bench. He also insists nobody told him the Grizzlies would be rebuilding after a 24-58 season.

"Do I say all the right things all the time? I doubt it," Iverson said. "But the ultimate goal is to win games. That's the only thing it's about."

Iverson sees no reason to back down from his comments, but he also realizes they caused a stir because of his long history of provocative opinions and actions, from his infamous disdain for practice to a few lesser stirs in Denver and Detroit last season.

Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley shook hands with Iverson in the locker room Friday night and could be heard chatting about plans for a meeting with the veteran guard.

Heisley, who flew into Los Angeles earlier in the day, backed coach Lionel Hollins in the perceived dispute this week, saying the coach would handle the Grizzlies' rotation and calling Iverson's comments "inappropriate," according to The Commercial Appeal.

Hollins refused to speak about Iverson earlier in the week, but said Friday he has no problem with Iverson's pointed words. He also doesn't intend to have a special chat with the 10-time All-Star.

"Every player has his opinion of his self-worth and what he expects, but I have to coach the whole team," Hollins said. "There's no need to talk to A.I. He's a competitor, and we're going to be fine. ... He has a right to say what he wants to say, and I have a right to say what I want."

Iverson got his first game action with the Grizzlies on Monday night in Sacramento, and he played 27 minutes off the bench against Golden State on Wednesday. Iverson again wasn't in the starting lineup when the Grizzlies faced the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, but entered the game with 6:36 left in the first quarter.

Iverson said he wasn't offended by being thrust into a reserve role while he's still coming back from an injury, although he doesn't believe it should last.

"I understood it was my first game back, but people took it to a whole other level," Iverson said.

Iverson still says he wants to be a starter, again noting he's never played another role in his career.

Memphis has one of the NBA's most intriguing young backcourts with Mike Conley and O.J. Mayo, but that talent hasn't translated into many victories. The Grizzlies have endured three straight losing seasons with 68 total victories following three straight trips to the playoffs.

Hollins realizes Iverson's role easily could change depending on injuries and the starters' effectiveness, but he doesn't seem inclined to promise a starting job to Iverson or any player.

"Roles change, positions change," Hollins said. "He's a prideful person that believes in himself. Every player wants to play a starting role, and a player of his caliber especially."

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index