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.

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.

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.

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.

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.