‘LINSANITY’ ON ALL STAR. Jeremy Lin #17 of the New York Knicks and Team Shaq drives against Evan Turner #12 of the Philadelphia 76ers and Team Chuck during the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge part of the 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend at Amway Center on February 24, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. AFP
ORLANDO – Jeremy Lin said Friday he was trying to embrace the moment and have fun with all the attention he is getting during his first NBA all-star weekend.
Lin, who went from sleeping on his brother’s couch to reviving the New York Knicks franchise in just a couple of weeks, competed in the NBA rising stars challenge game on Friday.
Lin shot one-of-four and finished with two points in just under nine minutes of playing time as his Team Shaq lost 146-133 to Team Chuck on Friday.
“Just to be here and to see the company and all the players that are here is just, it’s been unbelievable,” Lin said. “I’m just trying to take it all in and embrace it and enjoy it every step of the way.”
Lin said once Friday’s contest is finished he hopes to use the rest of the break to get some rest and prepare for the remainder of the season.
“I am just trying to relax, recover and let some pains go away,” he said.
Kyrie Irving scored 34 points, added nine assists and was eight-of-eight from three-point range to lead Team Chuck to victory.
Greg Monroe had 19 points and 10 rebounds for Team Shaq.
But even with all the star power in Friday’s game, Lin was getting the lion’s share of attention on Friday.
“I’m definitely surprised that people are talking about Lin-sanity or whatever,” Lin said.
“I think hopefully as the season progresses, it will go from that to the New York Knicks and hopefully the Knicks can win basketball games. Hopefully we can make a good push after the all-star break and people will start talking about the Knicks and not necessarily me.”
Lin helped the Knicks to a seven-game win streak but is coming off a modest performance in a 102-88 loss to Miami on Thursday. Miami’s smothering defense held Lin to just one-of-11 shooting.