GREEN BAY, Wis. — Because Mike Woodson is not thrilled with how the big men invited to camp has fit into his system, the Knicks coach reiterated injured 6-foot-10 Jeremy Tyler is expected to land a roster spot.
“He’s still patiently going through rehab,’’ Woodson said. “I don’t think we kick him to the curb. We thought so much [of him] coming out of summer league. I think at least we see it through and see what he has to offer. He’s a young big. Our thought process was to try to develop him.’’
Meanwhile, the Knicks had hoped center Cole Aldrich would have adjusted to the team’s style better. That would have prompted the Knicks to waive Tyler, who is in a walking boot after undergoing foot surgery in early September. He may not be back until late November.
Aldrich hasn’t been impressive enough as the Knicks’ search for a backup center is in flux.
Interestingly, ex-Knick Jared Jeffries was on hand in his new role as personnel director with the Nuggets and had dinner at the arena with Knicks president/general manager Steve Mills. Denver reportedly is shopping power forward Kenneth Faried, who would be an incredible fit.
Aldrich did not play in Toronto Monday, but Woodson promised he would play Wednesday night at Green Bay’s Resch Center. The former Kansas standout logged 18 minutes, finishing with zero points and eight rebounds in the Knicks’ 105-95 loss to the Bucks, as they fell to 2-4.
Woodson has been disappointed with the trio of bigs, Aldrich, Ike Diogu and Josh Powell.
“I’m looking at pace and how we want our bigs to play when we play our pick-and-roll basketball,’’ Woodson said. “You got play it with pace, hit screens, get off of it and roll. [Tyson Chandler is] the only guy — and Amar’e [Stoudemire] and Kenyon [Martin] — that show pace. When they hit screens, they’re off of it and making something happen at the rim. These guys are new. We’re yelling and screaming ‘pace.’ ’’
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Carmelo Anthony played 37 minutes, finished with 22 points on 8-of- 23 shooting with nine rebounds and seven assists. He also picked up a technical foul for harassing a referee after a travel call.
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About 25 Packers players were on hand, including Aaron Rodgers and Rockville Centre native Greg Van Roten, who wore a blue Patrick Ewing jersey. The Chaminade grad gave the Knicks staffers, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Aldrich a tour of Lambeau Field Tuesday night.
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Woodson said Stoudemire and Martin came out of the first scrimmage Tuesday feeling good. They will scrimmage again Thursday. Woodson wouldn’t rule out Stoudemire and Martin playing the preseason finale Friday versus Charlotte at the reopened Garden.
“They both felt good today,’’ Woodson said. “There wasn’t a setback. That’s been positive. [Thursday] we’ll do a tough practice and scrimmage. We’ll see how they feel Friday.’’
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J.R. Smith was said to have drawn interest from Milwaukee during free agency, but Bucks new coach Larry Drew denied it.
“Not to my knowledge,’’ Drew said. “There could’ve been some interest before I took the job, but his name didn’t come up.’’
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The Knicks face the Bucks for real next week — Oct. 30 in the season opener at MSG.