Isiah Thomas Gets College Coaching Gig

Former NBA great and less-than-spectacular pro coach Isiah Thomas has been named head basketball coach at Florida International University. Thomas, one of the most exciting point guards during his college years at Indiana University at as the player who led his Detroit Pistons to two national championships, is hoping to steer his career back on the winning track after a couple recent embarrassments. Read the rest.

Boxing’s Golden Boy Retires

Oscar De La Hoya, boxing’s Golden Boy, is hanging up his gloves after a career that included 10 world titles in six divisions. “I’ve come to the conclusion that it’s over,” De La Hoya announced at an outdoor plaza across the street from Staples Center, where a statue of the 36-year-old fighter stands. Read more.

 Police found the mother of New York Knicks center Eddie Curry’s 3-year-old son and her infant daughter murdered in their Chicago apartment Saturday, The Chicago Tribune reports. The bodies of Nova Henry, 24, and daughter, Ava, were discovered around 6 p.m. with bullet holes, the newspaper reports. Authorities say they are searching for a “known acquaintance” of Henry’s in connection with the deaths. The 3-year-old son was found unharmed, sources told the Tribune and The New York Daily News. Who does Henry’s family member suspect? Read the rest here.

Alleged cop perps: “Swallow this. You’re going to see Jesus.” At least three Houston cops have been taken off patrol duty after they were accused of beating the dad of Green Bay receiver Donald Driver. Marvin Driver Jr., 56, was allegedly struck in the throat and forced to swallow a pill last week after he was arrested for outstanding traffic tickets. Officers Bacilio Guzman, Gilberto Cruz and M. Marin were all re-assigned to administrative work, pending an investigation, says Houston Police Chief Harold Hurtt: “We take allegations such as these very seriously and will conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and be transparent in our findings, whatever the conclusion.”  Hospital officials say the alleged victim was struck with a blunt object and had a bruised abdomen, possibly from a knee. A family spokesman says the alleged victim reported that cops forced a pill into his mouth and said, “Swallow this. You’re going to see Jesus.” Driver was in good condition, but connected to a ventilator. Donald Driver recently re-joined the Packers after being at his father’s bedside.

Stephon Marbury sits out seven-player New York loss. Depending on whom you believe, Stephon Marbury either turned down a half-hour of playing time this past weekend, or was benched again. Marbury, who’s been on New York’s inactive list all season, says he taped his ankles to suit up versus Milwaukee, but Coach Mike D’Antoni claims the guard chose the bench. Following a three-player trade that left the Knicks with just seven players, D’Antoni says he told Marbury that 30 to 35 minutes of action was available in what would’ve been Marbury’s first appearance. “When the trades went down this afternoon, I said, ‘Look Steph, one of the principals are gone, Jamal Crawford…Are you ready to go?’” D’Antoni recalls. But Marbury, the coach claims, said he wasn’t comfortable and took his usual spot on the bench. Counters Marbury: “The only thing I’m at liberty to say is that I was told that they were moving forward, and I’m not the person who chooses who plays or doesn’t.” The Knicks went on to lose versus Milwaukee after avoiding a near-forfeit because of the short roster.

Former champ will fight Klitschko next month. Ex-heavyweight champ Hasim Rahman has agreed to step in as Wladimir Klitschko’s opponent after Alexander Povetkin tore a foot ligament. The Dec. 13 bout will afford Rahman a seven-figure paycheck. “We’re very excited about the fight,” says his manager Steve Nelson. “It’s a super opportunity for Rock to become a three-time champion. We know we’re up against the odds.” Rahman last fought James Toney in a bout that ended after an accidental head butt.

Stephon Marbury’s shaky relationship with his NBA team continues, despite new coaching. The Knicks guard, who clashed with ex-coach Isiah Thomas last season, hasn’t played in three games and isn’t even on the team’s active list. Coach Mike D’Antoni reportedly wants to waive Marbury, who recovered from surgery last season and was eager to take the court. “We may be engaging the team in trying to see if there’s some kind of mutually beneficial position that the parties can arrive at,” Billy Hunter, who heads the NBA players union, tells Bloomberg News. Marbury reportedly met with Knicks president Donnie Walsh this week, with no resolution.

Patrick Ewing Jr. traded to Knicks

Patrick Ewing Jr., whose famous dad was a star in New York basketball for years, has joined the Knicks squad after a recent trade. The younger Ewing was swapped from the Rockets, in exchange for Frederic Weis. “Coming to the Knicks, and hopefully being able to contribute, means a lot to me,” Ewing Jr. said in a statement. “It has always been my dream to play for this team. My goal is to show the coaches that I can play and do all that I can to help the team win some games.” The elder Ewing, who’s set to join the NBA Hall of Fame next week, wishes his son “a long and productive career” in New York.Browns receiver recovers from bizarre foot injury. Braylon Edwards will start in Cleveland ’s high-profile opener this week versus Dallas after returning to his team’s line-up Monday. Edwards had been sidelined since Aug. 9 when he was gashed in the back of his foot by a teammate’s cleats as they raced after practice, Edwards in his socks. The player hasn’t spoken to media about the circumstances of his injury and won’t be available for questions until Wednesday. He received stitches for the gash and stayed overnight at a hospital after the incident. The banged-up Browns have suffered in the pre-season without their star receiver and quarterback Derek Anderson. “I missed ya’ll, man,” Edwards told teammates Monday.