"I am really happy with 10 points and 13 assists," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said of Lin. "It's great, and the next night he may have to get 30 for us to win. Whatever we need to win, he will do it."
The performance came a night after Lin's three-pointer with 0.5 seconds left gave the Knicks a 90-87 win on Tuesday before a sell-out crowd in Toronto.
Last week, he had a 38-point effort in a nationally televised 92-85 win over Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.
This game was well in hand, and Lin didn't even play in the fourth quarter.
Lin said the best part about the entire situation is the positive impact it has had on the Knicks.
"I think the really interesting thing is how well the team has really put everything aside," Lin said after the game. "We were losing games and could have started pointing fingers and could have said it was the coach's fault, which it wasn't. We could have split up, but everybody came together."
The Knicks (15-15) have become the NBA's - and the sports world's - biggest draw, and Lin is the one responsible for turning the turnstiles. With Lin as a starter, the Knicks are 6-0. New York is 7-0 in games he has played serious minutes.
And the home crowd couldn't get enough of him.
Everybody seems to know the story of the Harvard graduate by now. He saw minimal time as a rookie in Golden State last season. In December, Lin was waived by Golden State and then by the Houston Rockets. The Knicks, seemingly headed for a lost season with nobody to direct its offense, turned to Lin, and the Asian American point guard has captivated all cultures while providing what had been a dormant offense some badly needed direction.
White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters Wednesday that President Obama was impressed with the play of Lin, something that impressed the Knicks.
"I was very honored, very humbled. Wow, that's the president," Lin said. "You can't get better than that."
Added D'Antoni, "It's a great story and [President Obama] is a basketball fan, and I'm sure he might even think he can take him."
That drew plenty of laughter.
The New York crowd was chanting "MVP, MVP" as Lin was shooting free throws in the second quarter.
With the Knicks leading by 26 points early in the fourth quarter, the crowd starting chanting "We want Lin."
Lin wasn't one of those wanting to get back in the game.
"It was great to get some rest," he said. "We've had a tough schedule."
The Knicks led, 54-36, at halftime, and Lin had six points, nine assists, and one turnover.
A super-human effort wasn't needed against the 10-19 Kings, but with the added media and the crowd cheering his every move, there is no such thing as an ordinary appearance these days when it comes to Jeremy Lin.
Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at mnarducci@phillynews.com or 856-779-3225.
