New York’s Cuttino Mobley says leaving court will prolong his life. Just as the Stephon Marbury drama comes to a close, another New York Knicks guard brings a plot twist to Madison Square Garden. Eleven-year NBA vet Cuttino Mobley has retired from the court, saying his hypertrophic cardiomyopathy condition has worsened. The disease, which causes heart muscle to thicken and challenges blood circulation, made his decision necessary, Mobley says. “The specialists I’ve seen made it clear that my heart condition has gotten worse and I couldn’t continue to play professional basketball without putting my health and life in serious danger,” says Mobley. “As much as I want to keep playing in the NBA, I have no choice but to follow the advice of my doctors and step away from the league.” Mobley had recently been traded to the Knicks from the Clippers, requiring physical screenings that alerted him to the increased problem. “The doctors said to not chance it and I feel as though they’re right, having an 8-year-old son, having a long life ahead of me, it’s the smart thing,” Mobley adds. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy has been connected to the deaths of Celtics forward Reggie Lewis and Loyola Marymount star Hank Gathers, who collapsed on court.

Marbury dares Knicks. New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury, who has been banned from the team, said Wednesday that he is no longer willing to negotiate a buyout and either wants to be released or be told to rejoin the team to play, SI.com reports. It sounds like the troubled star is daring his angry team, which is hurting badly for a seasoned point guard, to play him now, the Web site reports. SI.com quotes Marbury saying that “we” have a chance against the Cavaliers, when asked who would win last night. The team is said to be so desperate for a guard that it would suit up former All-Star shooting guard Allan Houston, now an assistant to the general manager, SI.com writes.

The New York Knicks says it needed Stephon Marbury to play and he said “no.” Because of that, the franchise says it is docking the point guard’s salary by  nearly $400,000 and suspending him. Marbury denies the charge and says he will appeal but his tenure with the Knicks might be gets to officially challenges his employer’s decision.  The New York Post reports Knicks president Donnie Walsh and players’ association lawyer Hal Biagas are set to meet Monday to try and reach a buyout agreement.Of course I want something resolved,” Marbury told the paper. “I want to go forward.” The Knicks has not given the details of the conversation that took place before Wednesday’s loss in Detroit but says Marbury was asked to play because the Knicks were short-handed.”I don’t want to get into it, guys. I think I already told you, I asked him to play. We just asked. You’re a coach, and we needed him to play,” says Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said after practice Friday. Marbury will not be paid when he sits out Saturday’s home game against Golden State and will lose an additional game’s pay for Wednesday’s actions. He earns about $21 million in salary this year, drawing about $190,000 a game.

New team, old tricks for Allen Iverson. After vowing that he’d changed his ways at a news conference that introduced him as the newest Detroit Piston, Allen Iverson showed an old habit this week. The recently traded point guard missed a practice without being excused by the team. Pistons coach Michael Curry confirms that A.I. won’t start for Detroit in tonight’s game. He’ll be replaced in the starting line-up by Rodney Stuckey. Iverson also faces an undisclosed fine.

Stephon Marbury criticized after recent loss. The 14-point loss New York suffered this week after playing with just seven men has forward Quentin Richardson lashing out. The player blames guard Stephon Marbury, whose listing as inactive has kept him on the bench this season, but who sat out the game for a second time Wednesday after having a chance to play. Marbury earlier disputed reports that he’d been offered 30 minutes of playing time last week, saying he was told the decision wasn’t his. “He hasn’t played with us all year,” says Richardson. “Regardless of what you have going on with the organization or what you have going on with your coach or whatever, you’re not going to allow your teammates to be left out there the way we were basically being left out there.” Richardson says he doesn’t “look at Marbury as a teammate anyway.” Injuries and trade maneuvering have left the Knicks roster short in recent days.

Francisco Rodriguez to consider offers in Las Vegas. Record-setting pitcher Francisco Rodriguez will start testing the team market in Las Vegas at winter meetings on Dec. 8, says his agent. K-Rod, who had a best-ever save total of 62 games for the Los Angeles Angels, wants a five-year contract of about $15 million a season. The New York Mets, who K-Rod’s agent says he plans to address, are among candidates to become the pitcher’s new team.

Marbury will watch team play, remain on inactive list. Talk about a smooth ride. NBA player Stephon Marbury is expected to earn his $21.9 million salary while sitting on the New York Knicks bench. Days after Marbury met with New York management and the NBA players union to discuss options when he hadn’t played in three season-opening games, president Donnie Walsh calls it a “dead issue.” Marbury, who has averaged 20 points and eight assists a game for his career, will only see action if other guards are injured. “Steph has been great,” says coach Mike D’Antoni. “He is part of the team. We are trying to do what is best for the Knicks.” Trading or waiving Marbury, as had been the previously reported plans, are not being discussed, adds the coach. A former All-Star, Marbury says he’ll take the season in stride: “I don’t know what the future holds. All I can do is sit still, be obedient and watch and learn from the situation.”

Record-breaking pitcher to test MLB market. Francisco “K-Rod” Rodriguez is among 19 baseball players who’ve filed for free agency this week. The Los Angeles Angels pitcher set a record by passing the 57 saves racked up by Bobby Thigpen in 1990. Of the 178 players who could eligible for free agency, 149 have filed since the end of the World Series last week. Rodriguez went 62-for-69 on save opportunities in L.A.

World Series resumes today after rain interruption. The World Series resumes tonight after heavy rain in Philadelphia led to a temporary suspension of play on Monday. Philadelphia is tied 2-2 versus Tampa in the fifth game of the seven-game contest. A muddy pitcher’s mound and puddles elsewhere led to the interruption in the sixth inning. Fox will broadcast what will be the Major League game of ‘08 if the Phillies win to capture the title. The Rays must win three straight to take the series.

Rumor links leader to NFL. Could a second Rice be poised to lead the San Francisco 49ers? Conflicting media reports suggest that it’s possible. Years after Jerry Rice, widely regarded as the greatest wide receiver to ever play pro football, grabbed three Super Bowl rings in San Francisco, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is being linked to the team. Having once expressed interest in running the NFL, the official was later quoted as saying, “I decided that it would be alright to run a team as well.” The NFL Network recently reported that a 49ers exec wants to hire Rice as team president. But a State Department spokesman says there’s been no contact between Rice and the team.

Patrick Ewing Jr. scrapped from squad. Patrick Ewing Jr. won’t have a chance to achieve NBA greatness on the same team his father once led – at least not this season. Ewing was cut on Monday as the Knicks instead chose to keep shooting guard Anthony Roberson. Ewing scored seven points in nine minutes last weekend versus New Jersey. The senior Ewing is a Hall of Fame center who still leads New York in all-time scoring, rebounding, blocked shots and steals.

Academy schools pro players on grooming, etiquette. Saggy jeans? No problem. Dog-fighting? No problem. A Michigan-based school for grooming athletes is expanding its efforts to better prepare sports professionals for life in the public eye. Correcting some of the most glaring misbehaviors and common bad habits of today’s top-earning stars is the main goal for Char Goolsby, president of the Academy of Protocol Intelligence. “As in any other industry, professional development courses are offered to create an optimum work environment,” Goolsby says. “Investing in the total athlete is a benefit to any team and its brand. All too often, the team brand and the reputation of the league are hurt by a breech of protocol.” Certified by the Washington D.C. School of Protocol, Goolsby has conducted trainings and programs for foundations and individuals connected with the NFL and NBA. Among the Academy’s patented programs is the Etiquette for Athletes Camp – and a number of fast-running, high-jumping millionaires might do well to sign up.

New York expects point guard at training camp. Putting to rest a Newsday report and various others from South Florida media outlets, the Knicks president says Stephon Marbury is staying put. In response to news coverage this week that suggested the NBA point guard was likely to be waived soon, Donnie Walsh says Marbury’s “coming to training camp.” Word had it that the player, who recovered from recent ankle surgery, would probably be offered a settlement on the last year of his $21.9 million contract and then maybe sign with another team. “I haven’t approached him about a buyout,” Walsh adds. Marbury played in only 24 games last season due to his ankle injury.

Stephon Marbury entering last year in New York.

  The Miami Heat is among teams reported to have an interest in New York guard Stephon Marbury, who could be waived this week. Newsday and various Florida media outlets say the Knicks may be ready to cut “Starbury” loose, freeing him to sign with any team. The point guard, who’s entering the last year of his $21.9 million contract with the Knicks, recently recovered from ankle surgery. The talented player was often associated with trouble last season, including conflicts with ex-coach Isiah Thomas. Get more at Playa Hater.Razorbacks’ champ track squads penalized. The NCAA is upholding sanctions against the Arkansas champion track squads that included future Olympian Tyson Gay. The Razorbacks plan to ask an NCAA committee that oversees track and field scoring to reveal how many points the men’s title-winning ’04 and ’05 teams must lose. Arkansas had appealed a decision by the NCAA to take away both titles and give the school three years of probation. Gay and a former assistant track coach were the players involved with the NCAA-cited violations.