FINALLY! NEW YORK CITY TO GET A PRO BASKETBALL TEAM: The NEW YORK TIMES reports NBA Commissioner David Stern wants to bring professional basketball to New York, so he’s considering placing a NBA Development League team in Harlem.

Stern: “Harlem represents a basketball tradition that for decades and decades and decades has given the NBA so many players.”Yes, it is an intriguing consideration, and seems to be a great idea all around. Except, as Stern points out, “The Knicks are all over the idea. It’s a great cultural tie-in.”

Cultural tie-in? If that’s the case with Isiah Thomas, then someone ought to considering breaking the tie.

SHARAPOVA READY TO PAINT NYC AND HER OUTFITS RED: Maria Sharapova is ready to paint the town red, and her new outfits for the U.S. Open prove it:

RIGHTFIELDERS checks out the nice view of the New York City skyline - as interpreted on Sharapova’s latest tennis dresses.New clothing for the tennis titaness was unveiled Wednesday in the Big Apple, featuring fashions created by Nike senior designer Colleen Sandieson. Similar to last year’s tournament, the defending champ will wear one outfit for the day matches, and a different get-up for any night action.

While the daytime duds will be a harmonious black & white affair, her evening attire will be a red dress fitted with over 600 crystals - 3 of those serving as back buttons. And the patterns are said to be an homage to the NYC skyline.Coincidentally, the US Open begins during New York Fashion Week, so the Russian Red Star hopes to attend at least one show - possibly planning for post-tennis employment.

KIMMY SHOWS SHE’S NO SAINT BY BEATING AROUND BUSH: Kim Kardashian, supposedly dating Saints RB Reggie Bush, showed up in New York looking for a new lap to straddle:

I DON’T LIKE YOU IN THAT WAY reports that Kim was at the launch of Lorraine Schwartz’s Diamond Monkey collection “trying to get on the lap of any rapper she could find.”

After being rebuffed by the likes of Pharrell Williams, she finally settled on getting freaky with Fabolous.

If Kimmy’s crass cavorting keeps up, Reggie is going to need a new date for the BET Awards.