European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 18, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A a f of pea Champion Paul Avinger pounds the Fairway tuesday at la Quinta calif., after his Iron shot spun Backa Tough Day at the office off the 13th Green and into a Bunker 30 feet below the putting surface. Avinger was three shots Over Par after first Day play at the $1 million grand slam of Golf and trails by three shots. See Story on Page 33. Thomas Breaks hand in fight with Laimbeer Auburn Hills Mich. A Isiah Thomas incensed at taking yet another Elbow in practice from Bill Laimbeer broke his right hand tuesday when he a inched the Detroit pistons Center in the a Ead. Thomas for years one. Of the Aba s Best guards but also one of its most temperamental will be sidelined four to six weeks with a break in the third metacarpal Bone of his shooting hand said or. , who treated the injury. During preseason practice Thomas suffered a broken rib when he was elbowed by Laimbeer on oct. 30. Witnesses said Thomas became angered tuesday after absorbing another Elbow from Laimbeer. The Detroit free press reported in its wednesday editions that Thomas swung wildly at Laimbeer and missed. The two were then separated by teammates and coach Don Chaney. But Laimbeer and Thomas continued to shout at each other. As Laimbeer turned Thomas swung again and hit Laimbeer in the head. Chaney then called off practice. Chaney presiding Over a club where fights during practice Are becoming Standard fare said fatigue from a recent Road trip and frustration from a four game losing Streak probably contributed to the incident. A when you have those things combined then you have a problem Quot Chaney told radio station woj am. A a that a what happened out Here on the floor. If you re going to play aggressive tempers Ustah Thomas out 4 to 6 weeks will flare. You can to play soft at  Thomas and Laimbeer were involved in a smaller skirmish during practice Ber fore a recent Road trip the free press reported. Neither commented on this latest episode. Laimbeer s reputation for wayward elbows and Well placed forearms is unparalleled across the league. Many players have tangled with the 6-foot-ll Veteran. That a player would take a punch at Laimbeer was surprising Only because it was a teammate. A Laimbeer sat out sundays 114-111 loss to Portland serving a one game suspension for a flagrant foul against Utah a Karl Malone. Laimbeer collared Malone just 1 33. Into fridays 109-89 toss. The pistons 2-4 were off tuesday night and play at Home wednesday night against Orlando. A a in a sorry Isiah is not going to be playing Quot magic guard Scott Skiles said from Orlando. A but in my opinion he  have picked a better Guy to  added new Jersey coach Chuck Daly the former pistons coach a when i was there. Bill and Isiah were Good friends. Things like this happened All the time. They Are two competitive Guys which is Why they Are so  Thomas had been averaging 15.5 Points and 10.3 assists a game this season. The Thomas Laimbeer showdown Marks the second time in a month there has been a scuffle during practice. On nov. 4, Alvin Robertson attacked player personnel director Billy Mckinney. Robertson became upset when Mckinney told him he would be suspended for three games for missing practices and treatment for his injured Back. The Veteran guard has since been suspended indefinitely. A i wish 1 could put it into words How frustrating its been especially with All the hard work we have done Over the last year in changing the roster Quot Mckinney told wd1v-tv. The stars and stripes ports november 18.1993 Page 38tv stations report astros pick Collins Houston a Pittsburgh pirates bullpen coach Terry Collins who managed in the minor leagues for Over a decade will reportedly be the next manager of the Houston astros. Local televisions stations Kriv and Kirk citing Anonymous sources reported tuesday night that the astros would give Collins the Job wednesday. Collins one of seven known candidates to replace fired manager Art Howe had been reported As one of two front runners. Boo Boone a 19-year major league Catcher and a successful minor league manager the past two seasons interviewed three times for the Job. Collins had his second interview with owner Drayton Mclane and general manager Bob Watson on tuesday and remained in Houston overnight