Nichols Fields Questions at MSG Training Center

GREENBURGH, New York, July 3, 2007 -- On Tuesday, second-round draft pick Demetris Nichols, one of the players obtained in the Knicks' draft-night trade with Portland, paid a visit to the Madison Square Garden Training Center, where he worked out and took time to answer questions. Here is a transcript of Nichols' comments:

On learning he was joining the Knicks …

I was traded after the draft. I got the call around 3:30 in the morning, saying that I was going to be a Knick, and I think that was better for me. It is close to home, and we've got a great group of guys here. I watch the Knicks a lot, so I know the system a bit. When I found out, it was really exciting.

On the Knicks' interest in him prior to the draft …

I knew that Isiah (Thomas) liked me a lot, but he didn't guarantee me anything. He wished me good luck, but I had a feeling that he liked me a lot, so when the trade did go through, I had a feeling he did that for a reason. I think it was a good decision, and I know I won't let him down.

On playing at Madison Square Garden ...

The Garden is like my backyard. We played here all through my four years at Syracuse, so I know how much pressure there is here, but I also know how great it feels to play at The Garden. It is the big stage, and that is where I want to be. I've had all great games here and great memories.

On his best memory of playing at The Garden ...

I've had so many games there, but it probably has to be winning the Big East tournament my junior year. That was pretty cool. We beat the No. 1 team in the country, we beat Pittsburgh and we beat Georgetown. I had a lot of games there, but that probably was the biggest moment right there.

On what he thinks his biggest adjustment will be as an NBA rookie ...

I think the adjustment between college and the NBA is a big difference. That is why I am here early. I want to talk to the coaches, and I just got in a little workout just now. I am going to work hard, and I think I am on the right track and that I will get better. I think I have a lot of time to get better, but I did have a great senior year. I am really just excited that I am in New York. It is a great city, and the fans are nuts! So I think I have a lot of talent, but I don't think I have reached my peak. I have gotten better year after year, and that is what I am going to try to do in the next chapter of my life here with the Knicks.

On his greatest strengths ...

Shooting the ball. I shoot real, real well for my size. I also think I am a pretty good defender, so I think I bring that to the table. We have got a lot of guys here that get double-teamed, so I think that when they kick it out, I will be able to hit the shot down.

I am used to watching the Knicks, and I have watched them since I came to Syracuse, since I played a lot at the Garden. I used to imagine getting the ball from Stephon Marbury or Eddy Curry, so I think it will be really cool, and real, real fun.

On being drafted in the second round ...

I think things happen for a reason. I felt like I should have been a first round pick, but like I've said, I've been put in a great situation, and now I've got to prove those guys wrong just like I did in college. But the second round is not so bad. It seems like there are more guys playing from the second round than guys playing from the first round. So I don't think it really matters until you play. If you can play, then you will play in a game, so I am just glad I am in the situation I am in, playing close to home and in the best town to play basketball. I can't wait to start.

On being the guy to shoot the ball from outside ...

I think I have a great opportunity, and I think I am that guy. I know Eddy Curry and Stephon might get double teamed a lot, and now we've also got Zach Randolph, so they can't double me that much so I know I will have a lot of open shots and I will definitely be knocking them down.

On what Isiah Thomas expects from him as an outside shooter in an inside-out system ...

I think Coach Thomas knows what he wants from me, and I know what he wants from me. I am just going to do what I do best. I am going to do what he saw in me, which is hitting big threes and playing defense. I am always trying to make something happen on the defensive end and on the offensive end.

On NBA players he compares his game to ...

I like Ray Allen a lot. I like Richard Hamilton. They are guys that do it all on both ends of the floor, and are guys that work hard.

On what Knicks fans can expect from him ...

Hitting the three ball. Those are the most important things in a game. So I know the fans will be chanting if I knock down five or six three's in a row. I think that will be pretty cool.