IN THE MIX THIS WEEK

BALLERS IN LOVE: Tony Parker’s not the only baller getting married these days. Houston Rockets star Yao “The Dynasty” Ming, 27, is set to wed Ye Li, 25, his girlfriend of eight years. Unlike Parker’s ultra lavish wedding to drama queen Eva Longoria, Yao and Ye will tie the knot in a private civil ceremony in Shanghai, their hometown, in August. It’s a match made in Asian eugenics heaven. Ye, who is 6’ 2,” plays basketball for China’s national team, while Yao is 7’ 6.” Their relationship first became public at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where they were seen walking hand-in-hand at the closing ceremony. Aww.

HOT INDIAN DISH: Speaking of love and marriage … Page Six reports that all is not well in literary rock star Salman Rushdie’s marriage to Padma Lakshmi, the host of Bravo’s “Top Chef” and the self-proclaimed “first Indian supermodel.” While Rushdie was receiving a knighthood from the Queen of England (to the dismay of fatwa-loving protesters in the Muslim world), his papadam mama was allegedly canoodling with a married celebrity chef. No doubt discussing Lakshmi’s cookbooks “Easy Exotic” and “Tangy, Tart, Hot & Sweet.”

THE JAWS OF DEFEAT: While we’re on the topic of food … competitive eater and cult hero Takeru Kobayashi has been diagnosed with arthritis of the jaw! The heartbreak! The heartburn! The hot-dog eating champ might have to sit out next week’s annual July 4th contest at New York’s Coney Island. Last year, the 29-year-old, 165-pound Nagano native swallowed 53.75 wieners in 12 minutes to win his sixth straight Yellow Mustard Belt. “My jaw refused to fight anymore,” Kobayashi wrote on his website last week. “It has abandoned the frontline…. Already I can’t open my jaws more than just a little bit. There’s no pain only if I open my mouth about enough for one finger. More than that is painful.” We feel your pain, Takeru. Get well soon!

CAMERON DIAZ, THE MAOIST: Mao is Red hot! Just ask Mike Tyson, who has a tat of the Chairman on his arm (see pic). Cameron Diaz discovered just how hot last week when she traisped around Peru with a kitschy Mao messenger bag, emblazoned with a red star and Chairman Mao’s slogan “Serve the People.” The locals (who can apparently read Chinese!) were none too pleased. In Peru, Maoist Shining Path terrorists had been responsible for more than 70,000 deaths. “I sincerely apologize to anyone I may have inadvertently offended,” Diaz said in a statement. While you’re at, say you’re sorry for “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle” too.

MAGGIE IS TO ‘DIE’ FOR: According to many critics, ass-kicking, hard-hitting actress Maggie Q is the best thing about the new action flick “Live Free or Die Hard.” Born in Honolulu, the half-Vietnamese actress found fame in Hong Kong (working with Andy Lau, the Tom Cruise of Asia) before returning to Hollywood and landing roles in “Mission: Impossible III,” starring, uh, the Andy Lau of the West. Welcome back, Maggie. Now go kick Kelly Hu’s ass!

THIS WEEK’S HONORARY ASIAN: “Live Free or Die Hard” also stars up-and-coming actor Justin Long (“Accepted,” “Dodgeball,” “Galaxy Quest”). Though he was born in lily-white Connecticut, his name practically screams Asian-American valedictorian. Add the straight black hair, the lean physique, the major geek cred (you’ve see him in the Mac ads), and yeah, he’s one of ours. Dude, call us on your iPhone! •