KLOTZ STILL HOT TO TROT

Red Klotz, who by his own estimation lost a record 13,000 basketball games – all to the same team, the Harlem Globetrotters – during his coaching career with the Washington Generals, has some hard-earned advice for Isiah Thomas.

“I’d be waiting for my draft picks and young guys to develop and trading the guys who aren’t putting out – no matter who they are,” said Klotz , who at a spry and youthful 86 years old brought his Generals franchise back into action this year after a 12-year-hiatus. He now wears just one hat, as team president. “That’s how [the Generals] do it; if I have any guys who aren’t putting out, they’re gone,” he said.

“I really wish the Knicks well; Isiah inherited a tough situation, and I want to see them get on the right track,” added Klotz, who, as a 50-year-old player/coach in 1971 beat the Globetrotters with a jumper at the buzzer for the team’s last victory. “To do that, though, you need the players to take pride in themselves and in being part of the team. That’s why my teams have been very good. We always, always give the world-famous Globetrotters a tough game, and the fans respect that. We leave the court knowing we have nothing to be ashamed of.”

The Generals play 241 games in 203 cities across the country against the Globetrotters (including their annual visit to the New York area with games at the Garden Feb. 15, the Izod Center Feb. 16 and 18, and Nassau Coliseum Feb. 17). Think David Stern will let Thomas schedule Klotz and the Generals?

Tiki’s in the (Porter) house

So where does a hungry Tiki Barber head when he’s on Long Island after a successful book signing (“Tiki: My Life in the Game And Beyond”) in Carle Place? Last Monday night, Barber was in the mood for some serious meat and so he dined at the famous Peter Luger Steak House in Great Neck, where surprised patrons noticed the former Giants running back is carrying far less weight than he did during his playing days. That didn’t stop Barber from a late supper of Porterhouse steak (what else?), spinach and special German fried potatoes, topped off with apple strudel, vanilla ice cream and Luger’s renowned “Schlag” (whipped cream).

Our Paul Schwartz, author of “Tales from the New York Giants Sideline” and no slouch himself in the National Carnivore League, reports that Barber was incredibly relaxed and accommodating to the many requests for his autographs and conversation. When one woman asked for a picture with him, Barber happily obliged, and even helped her find some extra memory on her cell-phone camera when the first shot could not be saved.

All Wright now

Mets owner Fred Wilpon will be on hand along with Scott Clark, Sal Marchiano, Len Berman, Phil Linz and Carlos Ortiz when the Police Athletic League honors David Wright tomorrow at its annual SportsNite at the Essex House … The Nets will host a holiday party for 50 youngsters from Foster and Adoptive Family Services of New Jersey on Thursday at the Nets practice facility. Jason Kidd, Richard Jefferson, Jason Collins, Antoine Wright, Darrell Armstrong, Jamaal Magloire and Malik Allen will join Nets mascot Sly and the Nets Dancers at the event. … Adam Graves hung out with James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Dominic Chianese, Aida Turturro and other biggies from “The Sopranos” cast on Wednesday night at Il Cortile on Mulberry Street. They were there to help launch Steve Schirripa’s new cooking show “Steve Schirripa is Hungry.”

Kermit ‘s African mission

Thirty years ago today, Kermit Washington’s basketball legacy was made with one, fateful punch. Today, Washington is carving out a much different legacy. The former NBA star is now the head of Project Contact Africa, a group bringing food and aid to the suffering continent. Washington’s involvement began with a trip to Rwanda in 1994. “I saw how bad things were,” Washington told The Post’s Brian Costello. “People were lying dead on the street. I said, ‘This is not acceptable.’ I said, ‘I’ll come back,’ and I’m doing what I can do.”

The 56-year-old Washington has been back to Africa about 40 times since then. His group has partnered with the NBA Players Association, for which Washington works. “It really has grown over the years,” said Washington, who is remembered best for his violent knock out of Rudy Tomjanovich on Dec. 9, 1977. “When you’re associated with the NBA, it opens up a lot of doors. The good thing is it’s just growing.”

Washington’s organization has helped build a school, a clinic and a community center near Nairobi, Kenya, and he believes they will feed one million people this year. A group of NBA players went to Africa last summer with Washington, one of whom was Ron Artest, who is now building a lab for the clinic to get test results quicker and cheaper. NBA players also have donated game-worn sneakers, some autographed, that Washington auctions off on eBay to raise money. If you’d like to volunteer or make a donation, you can visit Washington’s Web site: http://www.projectcontactafrica.com.

Santa’s the Maine event

Mets right-hander John Maine will be quite busy on Tuesday. Maine will don a Santa suit and be assisted by fellow elves Oliver Perez and Willie Randolph as the trio distributes gifts to children from area elementary schools at the Mets Annual Holiday Party at Shea. The annual tradition will include caroling and lunch at the Stadium for the kids.

“I have some big shoes to fill,” Maine said with a smile. “Thankfully, I’ve got Ollie and Willie to help me out.”

Maine will get an early Christmas present himself. He gets to tour the Sirius Studio for the Howard Stern Show that day.

“I listen to the show all the time,” Maine said. “Howard, Robin [Quivers], Artie [Lange] and Gary [Dell’Abate] are great. I met Gary at a game at Shea last year and he invited me to come take a tour. I’m pretty excited about this opportunity.”

Play Bubba Ball

A baseball signed by former President Bill Clinton is available in an online auction at http://www.steinersports.com to benefit Camp Sussex in New Jersey. There already have been 19 bids on the Clinton ball, and the price has soared to $410. The bidding continues through Dec. 18. There are 85 other baseballs stitched in red and green available as stocking stuffers, from baseball greats Don Larsen, Whitey Ford, Tom Seaver, Doc Gooden, David Wright, Hank Aaron, Derek Jeter and Nolan Ryan. The most unique is the one signed by Bucky Dent and Mike Torrez, commemorating the famous Dent “Green Monster” home run in 1978 that continued the “Curse of the Bambino” for Red Sox fans.

Liberty guard’s circus shot

Liberty point guard Loree Moore will serve as the Big Apple Circus’ guest ringmaster during the 4:30 p.m. performance next Sunday in the big tent at Lincoln Center. She will don the famous top hat and red coat and introduce several acts, alongside the circus’ resident celebrity “Grandma The Clown”.