GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- This whole "Linsanity" thing has become a bit overwhelming for New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin.

"Things are changing so much and everyone wants to talk to me and my family," said Lin, who's gone from 15th man on the end of the Knicks' bench to the talk of the NBA in the past seven days. "We're very low-key people and private people, so sometimes it's a little tough."

As a result, there has been an inordinate amount of attention heaped upon the 23-year-old guard, who was asked Friday if this past week's lovefest has been overwhelming.

"Uh, yeah. Yeah. But when I get on the court and I play with our team, none of us are thinking about all of this other stuff that's going on," the former Harvard standout said. "It's just basketball and that's what we enjoy."

Lin and the Knicks (11-15) take on Kobe Bryant and the Lakers on Friday night at Madison Square Garden (ESPN, 8 p.m. ET). Lin has averaged 25 points and eight assists in his past three games -- all Knicks wins.

In his first career start, Lin had 28 points and eight assists against Utah. He followed up with 23 points and 10 assists against Washington. He is the first player since LeBron James to have at least 20 points and eight assists in his first two starts.

"He's a very smart point guard, [something] that I was kind of searching for," Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni said. "He did it and can continue to do it. It's put everybody back in the role where they feel comfortable and are producing."