Antonio McDyess and Frank Williams, the two newest members of the New York Knicks, were introduced to New York at a Friday afternoon press conference at The Theater at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks acquired McDyess, the draft rights to Williams, the 25th overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft, and a 2003 second-round draft choice from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for Marcus Camby, Mark Jackson and the draft rights to Maybyner Hilario, the seventh overall pick in the 2002 NBA Draft on Wednesday. Following is a transcript of the press conference:

As you know we’ve been through several busy days. One person I would like to recognize first is Jeff Nix, our Assistant General Manager. He was instrumental in the draft and the preparation for this trade. In the NBA, it is so hard to improve a team, but with this trade we feel like we improved this team. And as we said all along, we're going to do whatever it takes to improve this team, and keep this team in a winning way.

I was told to be very brief, and I just want to say I’m very happy. I think this is a great day for the New York Knicks organization. We’ve added two very good players. We’ve really upgraded our squad. I thought it was a great trade. As Scott mentioned, it’s not very easy making trades in this league. But those guys worked unbelievably hard to get this thing done. Both parties worked very hard. We’re very proud and pleased that we’re able to get our draft pick Frank Williams at that particular spot. So I’m looking forward to having a great year. I’m very, very happy with the make-up of the team so far. Hopefully, we can continue to improve it.

First of all I would like to say thanks for having me. Picked me as a selection to be a part of your team to show my abilities or what I can do out there on the floor with you guys. Secondly, this is going to be a little different type of situation up here from Illinois. So I’m going to have to try and make the best of it, hopefully we can get this on the road.

I just like to say I’m very excited to be here, it’s a dream come true. To have the opportunity to come play for the best sports city in the world and play beside two of the great players in the league in Spree and Allan. It’s a funny story, because before this even happened I told my agent I would like to come to New York. It’s a coincidence everything happened, and it happened for a reason. I’m looking forward to getting on the court and doing a great job and turning this thing around.

Question: Antonio, I also heard that story and I wondered what caused you to think at that time that you might like to play for New York?

McDyess: Like I said, I feel it’s one of the best sports cities in the world. I couldn’t pass up this opportunity; it’s a great city. I’m a country boy but still, I think I can adapt to anything. I’ve got 7 years in the league and it just looked like a great opportunity for me to come up here and try to contend to be one of the best teams in the East.

Question: With the West so packed with good frontcourt players, will it be a relief to not be facing Shaq and Duncan every night?

McDyess: A relief, I would probably say Shaq (laughs). I was playing center, but I think it’s still going to be a challenge regardless, on the East or West. You still have to come out there and play hard every night, and that’s what I’m willing to do. Dedication to play hard. Whether it’s on the East coast or the West coast I’m going to keep my same game and play hard every night.

Question: [Coming back from an injury,] do you have a doubt in your mind that you’ll have the explosiveness and athleticism you used to?

McDyess: No doubt in my mind. I feel I’m going to be a better player. With the surgery they gave me, it’s known that my knee will never hurt again, but I have been working hard on my quads, strengthening my quad, running and everything to get everything strong for next year. Just to come back even better.

Question: What are the biggest things you are going to have to adapt to in New York City?

McDyess: Being a small town boy I would probably say the city, but I’m not really going to be living in the city. I’m going to have to live on the outside, and I’m going to have to get used to playing in front of 20,000 people (laughs). I think, probably the city would be the thing I would have to worry about.