You want the truth? You want the truth?

I showed up yesterday in horrible shape as did most of the writers that cover the Knicks on a regular basis. None of us knows who’s in shape yet. Zach Randolph says he was the a gym all summer. I have no reason to challenge that because players don’t run wind sprints on media day.

Time will definitely tell.

It’s not fair to judge Randolph with a quick glance. He’s never going to have a well-defined body. Fact of life. He didn’t show up in New York until the middle of last week. Randolph did not run with the Knicks who came in early to work out. He’s been settling into a new home.

“Zach came in and took his physical Wednesday, and that’s the first time I saw him in a while,” Eddy Curry said. “We haven’t really interacted on the court at all.”

That will change in a matter of minutes when the Knicks open double sessions in Charleston, S.C.

Based on the John Mellencamp accent, Randolph spent most of the summer at home in Indiana. The last several days have been spent getting comfortable in new surroundings. He still plans to avoid the city, and will be living up here in Westchester.

“I love the place I’m in,” Randolph said. “I wish we didn’t have to go to Charleston, everybody could just stay here and sleep in the house. It’s a real quiet neighborhood. Real peaceful.”

What’s a normal summer routine for Randolph?

“I’m just working out,” he said. “I’ve got trainers so I’m always doing something different. I’m a gym rat.”

Randolph is curious to see how the offense will operate. He doesn’t seem to have any issues at this point, and believes there will be plenty of room to breath alongside Curry.

“I feel like me and him are going to have to figure it out,� Randolph said. “Coach is going to put us in the right position. I don’t have to stay in the paint. I can shoot the ball really well. It’s going to be interesting. I’m ready to win. Everybody is going to have to sacrifice something. I’m going to have to sacrifice something. Eddy is going to have to sacrifice something for us to get to the championship level.�

(You might’ve read that quote in my Journal News story today. If not check out the archive on the right side of this page. The print versions will be there all season.)

For all of you Court TV fans, here’s what Randolph thinks of Isiah Thomas’ sexual harassment nightmare.

“This is the biggest (media) market in the world, so everything you do is huge,” he said. “I know he’s a good man to me. And he’s going to make me the best player I can be.”

• I forgot to mention yesterday the Knicks signed free agents Walker Russell Jr., a NBADL player last season who’s father is the director or pro personnel here, and Roderick Wilmont, who played at Indiana University and played summer league for the Knicks.

• Keep your eyes and ears on the alert for trial news out of Manhattan, there could be some fallout should the jury hit Thomas and MSG hard. I made some phone calls last night, but nobody seems to know what NBA commissioner David Stern or MSG boss James Dolan might do.

•I’m off to Yankee Stadium to cover a workout. And perhaps I’ll lose the Cubs hat before I get in the car.