Lin, 23, is the NBA’s first American player of Chinese or Taiwanese descent. He played at Harvard after getting no athletic scholarship offers out of Palo Alto High.

“It’s a first,” Lakers forward Metta World Peace said an hour before tipoff. “It’s just not normal to see an Asian American in the NBA. It’s great.”

What did he know about Lin before this game?

“I know he used to miss layups on the fastbreak at Golden State. I know he used to turn the ball over at half-court,” World Peace said. “He was trying to find himself. He must have had a lot of pressure on him. Now, he’s playing ball.”

Then World Peace tried to create some humor.

“Yeah, we talked about him,” World Peace said. “We think he needs a better haircut. I don’t like that style. We’re in New York, the fashion capital. You’re a star now.

“Put down the nerdy Harvard book glasses. Put on some black shades with some leather pants. Change your style. Put down that law book. Stop reading the New York Times.

“Come to practice with your pants sagging and just tell them, ‘I don’t feel like practicing.’ Come to practice with a cigar lit.”

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Oh, Ron Artest, I have no words for you. lol.