By Jeff Zillgitt, USA TODAY 2/25/12

Guard Jeremy Lin and his good buddy, New York Knicks backcourt teammate Landry Fields, walked into the packed interview room.

Lin took his spot at a table on the dais. Fields grabbed the microphone reserved for news reporters asking questions.

"Landry Fields, from The Post," Fields said. "Apparently the San Francisco Pro-Am has a league every summer with their college players. We'd like to know: Who was the MVP? I'm pretty sure the dates are 2009 and 2010. If you could just explain that."

Lin, who grew up in the Bay Area and played at Harvard, smiled. The sudden NBA and cultural sensation had an answer for Fields, who played at Stanford.

"Yeah," Lin said. "Landry Fields was the MVP of the San Francisco Pro-Am 2009, 2010. He played for the Oakland Believers … and he doesn't have a lot of friends."

Yukkin' it up All-Star Weekend.

It's a testament to Lin's level head in the face of a life-changing three weeks and unprecedented coverage since the NBA's first American-born player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent injected the league with an insanely popular and positive story — about someone about to be released from his third team and considering a return to the D-League, playing in Europe or a temporary break from basketball.

Instead, Lin's often remarkable and unexpected play has resuscitated the Knicks.

The story veers off into so many compelling tangents, from his influence in Asia to the role his race played in teams overlooking him to the idea that other lesser-known players just need a chance to Lin's newfound marketing opportunities and bright future.

Charming and self-effacing. Taking the blame when the Knicks lose. Crediting his teammates when the Knicks win. Humorous if necessary. Serious if necessary.

…So far, the moment — game-winning shots or turnover-rife performances — has not been too big or overwhelming for Lin.

His faith has played a large role in that.

When the Knicks played the Miami Heat on Jan. 27, Lin went to pregame chapel with Fields, teammate Jerome Jordan and Heat forward Udonis Haslem.

Haslem told news reporters that Lin asked his fellow worshippers to pray that the Knicks wouldn't cut him at the Feb. 10 deadline to release players or guarantee his league-minimum salary ($762,195) for the rest of the season.

"The chaplain asked us to share a prayer request, and I knew February 10th was right around the corner, so that was what was on my heart, just that I would be able to continue to stay on the roster and be with the team the rest of the year," Lin said at a packed news conference just for him Friday night. "So that's kind of what I shared with the group of guys."

He explained his Knicks uniform number: 17. He likes No. 7, but that's Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony's number.

"Seven was my number last year, and it's one of God's numbers that he uses throughout the Bible," Lin said. "And I chose 17 because the '1' was to represent me and the '7' was to represent God. And when I went to the D-League, I had 17, and so everywhere I go, He would be right there next to me. And so that's why I stuck with 17."

So it's not an homage by Lin, who played with the Golden State Warriors last season, to former Warriors great Chris Mullin, who wore No. 17?

"Oh, no, not at all. I didn't even think of that," Lin said. "But he's a great player. Trust me, I'm a huge fan of his."

As recently as nine days ago, Lin wasn't even officially scheduled to participate in All-Star Weekend. …Lin allowed that his inclusion in All-Star weekend has been surreal.

"Oh absolutely," he said. "Just any press conference of my own in general, let alone All-Star weekend. Just to be here and to see the company and all the players that are here is just — it's been unbelievable, and I'm just trying to take it all in and embrace it and enjoy it every step of the way."

…Lin said he has not gone on any spending splurges. "No. I'm still a minimum (salary) guy. That hasn't changed," he said.

He has, however, moved off his brother's couch and into a swanky high-rise apartment in lower Manhattan near the World Trade Center site. He is due for a significant raise after the season, when he is expected to become a restricted free agent.

Discussion Questions:

1. Have you heard of Jeremy Lin in your country?

2. What are they saying about him in the media?

3. Why do you think he is so popular?

4. Do you think athletes are good role models for young people?

5. Who is your favorite athlete? Can you tell us about him or her?