After his career-high 38-point night in the Knicks’ 92-85 triumph over the Lakers last night at the Garden, Jeremy Lin revealed he’s close to 7-fooot-5 Chinese basketball legend Yao Ming, who retired more than a year ago because of foot problems and lives in Shanghai.
“I actually talk to Yao after every game,’’ said Lin, the first Chinese-American NBA player. “He’s taken me out to eat when I’ve seen him. He’s obviously a role model, big brother and mentor to me. We keep in touch all the time.’’
***
Lin was born in California and grew up in the Bay area. Lin’s parents are from Taiwan. Though Lin understands Chinese, he does not speak it fluently.
Metta World Peace, the former Ron Artest, gave Lin his blessing and said his 10-year-old son — who is an Asian-American — already is a big fan of the Knicks new starting point guard.
“I wish my son grows up to be just like Jeremy,’’ said World Peace, the Queensbridge native. “He’s a role model. He’s an inspiration to a lot of people.
“You see so many Asian-Americans playing basketball. You know how many Asian-Americans play basketball? They all want to go to the NBA. Anytime I go to a sports club, Asian-Americans are playing ball, but they don’t get that shot.’’
World Peace said he remembers Lin from last season when Lin played sparingly for the Warriors.
“He’s got his confidence [now],’’ World Peace said. “He was shy earlier. When I first seen him, I was like, ‘C’mon, just play ball, stop being so scared, you little punk.’ That’s what I was thinking in my head. Now he’s playing like a man.”
***
Though Amar’e Stoudemire is expected to return Tuesday in Toronto after grieving for his brother, Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni said Tuesday is a long shot for Carmelo Anthony (groin), but wouldn’t rule it out. There could be concern Anthony, in particular, could hurt the ball-moving chemistry created by Lin.
Tyson Chandler said that was “ridiculous,’’ and D’Antoni said an adjustment may have to take place.
“Melo has the ball in his hands a lot,’’ D’Antoni said. “Melo is one of the best pick-and-roll guys. Now we’ve got two of the best.” When Amar’e comes back, there’s another pick-and-roll guy, maybe the best in the game. People jump to conclusions when Melo and Amar’e come back. They never played with Jeremy. We can’t make that conclusion until we see it. I can’t wait to get those two guys back.’’
***
Tonight in Minnesota, the Knicks will get their first look at point guard Ricky Rubio, the Rookie of the Year favorite. The Knicks tried trading up in the draft in 2009 to get the Spanish playmaker.
“Ricky is really, really good,’’ D’Antoni said. “He’ll only get better. He has the sense you can’t teach. You can’t teach vision.
Those people are born [with it and rare.].’’… Chandler said he understood his All-Star snub was related solely to the Knicks’ sub-.500 record but admitted to feeling “a little disappointed.’’
***
A Knicks official said it was untrue Baron Davis used a controversial blood-spinning therapy underwent recently by Kobe Bryant and Alex Rodriguez. The Nets’ DeShawn Stevenson was quoted in a report saying he used the therapy and believes the rehabbing Davis did too.
***
Chandler said he wasn’t surprised he was not selected to the All-Star Game.
“I knew it would be that way, they’d have to pick someone from the top teams,’’ he said. “If we started the season right, we’d have three All-Stars.’’
Indiana center Roy Hibbert got the nod. Chandler still hasn’t made the All-Star Game. He’s averaging 12 points, 9.9 rebounds and shooting 69.7 percent, having a better season than Anthony, an All-Star starter.
Asked if he felt underappreciated, Chandler, the league’s most-sought free agent in December said, “At times like this, yes.’’