---

The New York Knicks a few days ago signed free agent Qyntel Woods. The 6-8, 220-pound guard/forward entered the league in 2002, played for Portland and Miami, and was a member of Boston but didn't see court time. His career average is 3.1 points and 1.7 rebounds in 8.9 minutes per game. The day of his first home game in New York, Woods met with InsideHoops.com editor Jeff Lenchiner for an exclusive interview.

InsideHoops.com: So now you're a Knick. How's it feel?

Qyntel Woods: I'm just happy to be back on a team, be back in the NBA. It was hard, sitting out. But I had to go through it. I was just being patient, working out, working hard, keeping the faith in God.

InsideHoops.com: And you were with Miami and then Boston before this.

Qyntel Woods: Well Miami traded me in the deal with Antoine Walker and all those guys to Boston, and Boston waived me before training camp started.

InsideHoops.com: And what were you doing between the time you got waived and now?

Qyntel Woods: I was just working out. Working out in Cleveland. My agent had a personal trainer working me out.

InsideHoops.com: Any notable players or anyone special working out with you there?

Qyntel Woods: No, just pretty much by myself. Individual workouts.

InsideHoops.com: Other than the Knicks, what were the main teams that expressed interest in you?

Qyntel Woods: It was a lot of teams that expressed interest. Denver, Cleveland, couple more teams. I just can't really recall them off the top of my head right now.

InsideHoops.com: So Denver and Cleveland were definitely considering grabbing you?

Qyntel Woods: Yeah.

InsideHoops.com: But New York was the one to step to the plate. And it's a non-guaranteed contract, right?

Qyntel Woods: Yeah, I got a non-guaranteed right now. Till January 10th.

InsideHoops.com: So if the Knicks keep you through January 10 then you're signed for the rest of the season.

Qyntel Woods: Right.

InsideHoops.com: And as for your basketball skills in general, you have talent, but people like myself haven't gotten to see you play consistent minutes too often, so how about a scouting report? Talk about what you bring to the floor.

Qyntel Woods: Well right now I can do a lot of different things. I can play defense, I can rebound, I can come in and hit some shots. Basically I just do what the coaches want me to do. I just do what the team needs me to help out on.

InsideHoops.com: And the one part of your game that you feel needs the most improvement, if anything, is what?

Qyntel Woods: Defense. I want to improve my defense, and probably my ball-handling.

InsideHoops.com: As for the Knicks, they're still a work in progress. How's it feeling for you so far?

Qyntel Woods: I love them. They gave me a second chance, so. Coach Brown, Isiah Thomas, thank you.

True basketball fans read InsideHoops.com every day.