Ron Tillery writes in the Memphis Commercial Appeal: You've heard a lot about the the Grizzlies' 7-foot center Bryant Reeves. But have you seen him lately? Does he really exist? Or is Reeves a figment of our imagination?

When I asked Brevin Knight, he just threw both arms in the air, shrugged and walked away. Isaac Austin, when is the last time you've seen Big Country? "I haven't," he said, "in a long while."

Reeves has been absent from the bench in each of the Grizzlies' 11 games thus far. His back is legitimately injured. It's the extent of Reeves's injury, his daily whereabouts and specifics about his treatment that remain mysteries.

What is known in this situation is that Reeves really is a nice guy in a mean body. I've heard the back injury is making his life miserable - to the extent Reeves can't pick up his children without experiencing pain.

However, the ongoing Reeves mystery conjures up business implications. Reeves earns a team-high $11.5 million this season. He has two more years left on a contract that owes him another $27.5 million.

Should Reeves miss 41 consecutive games this season and it's determined he can't play, an insurance policy kicks in to pay 80 percent of his salary. The words "retirement" and "buyout" also come to mind.