Michael Dickerson emerged from a Rhodes College locker room dressed in athletic gear and wearing optimism like a bulletproof vest.

The man (James Posey) who would replace him in the Grizzlies starting backcourt walked just a few paces behind. The injury (sports hernia) that's interrupted Dickerson's career for two seasons suddenly has created strong speculation that he will soon retire.

Just thinking about either notion brought a sense of amusement to Dickerson as he reached the sidewalk, determined and admittedly in pain.

"I haven't discussed retiring with anyone. That's news to me," Dickerson said. "This is what I love doing, and I have no intent of retiring. They're basically going to have to tell me, 'OK, this is what we're going to do. See ya.' But I'm not going to give up. That's not in me. I'm going to fight."