CLEVELAND (AP) Stephon Marbury was overjoyed to be with his New York Knicks' teammates, even if he wasn't able to take part in a shootaround before Tuesday night's game against the Cavaliers.

``It's so overwhelming it's not even real,'' Marbury said in his first comments since being traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Knicks as part of an eight-player deal Monday.

Marbury, and newly acquired Penny Hardaway, did not participate in the shootaround because they had not taken physical exams. It was unclear whether they would play against Cleveland.

Marbury, from Brooklyn, N.Y., said the trade realizes a lifelong dream to play at Madison Square Garden.

``It's the best opportunity for the Knicks and it's the best opportunity for myself,'' Marbury said. ``They want championships and they want them now ... and I want that more than anything.''

The Suns sent Marbury, Hardaway and Cezary Trebanski to the Knicks for Antonio McDyess, Howard Eisley, Charlie Ward, Maciej Lampe, the rights to Milos Vujanic and two first-round draft picks.

Marbury said having Knicks president Isiah Thomas, a player he idolized, bring him back home made the deal even better.

``I'm saying thank you to him and he's saying thank you to me,'' Marbury said. ``It's a great situation.''