MANCHESTER, N.H. — Knicks burly center Cole Aldrich had a golden opportunity to make the club as a backup pivot, but coach Mike Woodson called him out Saturday night, saying he’s got to be more rugged if he’s going to stick.
Meanwhile, one of Aldrich’s competitors for backup center, undersized 6-foot-8 Ike Diogu, was a beast off the bench, scoring 21 points with eight rebounds, a monster inside versus Boston. Diogu made nine of 11 free throws. With Woodson resting five of his top players including Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks were walloped, 111-81, by the Celtics in the preseason game. Woodson still decided to rip the effort of the reserves who played.
“There’s nothing pretty about the game,’’ he said. “You got to be proud to wear a Knick uniform. Tonight it was an embarrassment. I take full responsibility. I’m not happy about that. I failed as a coach.”
Aldrich was signed a week before training camp and Knicks president/GM Steve Mills pointed out the Knicks main hole in the roster is not having a legit backup center.
Woodson said he let Aldrich have it during a timeout in Friday’s preseason loss in Toronto. “I want him to be a little tougher.”
Woodson said before the game. “I told him [Friday] during a timeout, when you’re trying to make someone’s ballclub, bigs have to do dirty work. You have to be nasty, take hard fouls, rebound and doing all the dirty work to help you win game. I’m not seeing that a lot in him he’s got to pick it some.’’
Aldrich had a big offensive putback, but made an early turnover and wasn’t nearly as aggressive as Diogu. He had two points and four rebounds in 16 minutes and was a plus-4. By contrast, Josh Powell, whom Woodson started, was a minus-41.
Aldrich said Woodson’s message was him needing to be more aggressive on a penetrator in terms of blocking a shot or laying a hard foul.
Aldrich said his choices came down to Chicago, Sacramento, Detroit and the Knicks. He worked out for all of them.
“This was the best place for me,’’ Aldrich said. It looks like the 2010 lottery pick made a good choice.
Though Woodson started Powell at center as he rested all his veterans, Aldrich is the favorite.
“My main focus coming to camp was play hard, rebound, block shots and defend the rim,’’ Aldrich said. “I’ll give the team energy when I get in the game. We have a bunch of guys on the team — Kenyon’s [Martin] been in the league 15 years Tyson 13 years. I’m learning from those guys. I’m still young, still learning.’’
The other highlight came from point guard Tour’e Murry, who had 16 points and enhanced his chances of making the club, especially if the Knicks give up on rookie C.J. Leslie .
Woodson sat Anthony, Chandler, Raymond Felton, Metta World Peace and point guard Beno Udrih.
Martin, still nursing ankle issues from late last season, did not play on the trip and Woodson said he will probably only play the final two preseason games.
Rookie Tim Hardaway Jr. came back to earth, scoring nine points on 3-of-16 shooting.
The Knicks started a three-guard alignment — Pablo Prigioni, Iman Shumpert and Hardaway. …The Knicks consider themselves lucky to get one preseason game at Garden vs. Charlotte Oct. 25. That was because the arena transformation was ahead of schedule, leading to the late booking. Originally, the Knicks weren’t slated to play a home game this preseason.