Grind too much for Todd; to DL
position?
While stating that his coaching style will emphasize position-less basketball, David Fizdale said Tuesday that he plans to play Frank Ntilikina, Emmanuel Mudiay and Trey Burke together in the backcourt. That doesn’t include three other guards under contract — Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee and Ron Baker. In other words, there’s a logjam. “Roll them out there. Put them out there together,” Fizdale said. “It’s about speed, skill, aggressiveness, attack, playmaking. All of these guards have that ability. So I see a lot of versatility in there. I see a lot of combinations with them on the floor together. Obviously we’re going to develop the heck out of them. And I’m going to keep my foot up their butt about defending.”
Burke and Mudiay, who both joined the Knicks midseason, were among four players to attend Fizdale’s press conference. The others
CwouldINCINNATI — Todd Frazier tried battling through a left hamstring issue for the past three weeks, but Monday night he felt it pull. After initially saying he need just a day’s rest, the Mets decided to put the third baseman on the disabled list.
Frazier said he expects it won’t be longer than 10 days.
“No, in my opinion, no,” Frazier said. “They said it’s mild. I think it was the right choice. Get off my feet for four or five days, start working and rehabbing and be back.
“I’d rather not have this linger and lose two or three months,” Frazier said. “Rather lose two weeks or whatever it is. And get a strong four months to finish the season.” HOWARD SIMMONS/DAILY NEWS were Lance Thomas and Kyle O’Quinn.
During the press conference Fizdale engaged Mudiay, who struggled mightily with the Knicks as he dealt with concerns about his fitness. “We’re going to get to work,” Fizdale said, “make you right.”
NOT SAYING NO TO NOAH
Fizdale opened the door for Joakim Noah returning to the Knicks.
“He reached out to me to congratulate me,” the new coach said. “And like I said, I’m not putting a ceiling on anybody. Whoever is on The Mets are expected to call up infield prospect Luis Guillorme. Frazier said he initially injured the leg running the bases a “few weeks,” ago. Frazier, 32, is hitting .237 with five home runs and 21 RBI this season.
JAKE ON SUNDAY?
Jacob deGrom threw a simulated warmup and twoinning game in the bullpen Tuesday and got through the 83 pitches without feeling any issues in his elbow.
“It went really well,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “What he did, he warmed up, just like he would warm up for a game, went through his full routine. . . He threw 20, sat down and then threw 23 more and he didn’t our team in front of me is going to get my full attention and investment he obviously has given me some fits from back in the day. I’ve got some Noah nightmares from when he was in Chicago.”
Noah left the team in January after a blowup with former coach Jeff Hornacek over playing time, among other things. Despite his immense contract, Noah was demoted to fourth on the center depth chart. However, one of the players ahead of him (Willy Hernangomez) is gone and the other two (Enes Kanter and Kyle O’Quinn) own player options for next season. feel a thing.
“(Pitching coach) Dave (Eiland) said his stuff was crisp, everything went better than can be expected and right now shooting for Sunday.”
DeGrom suffered a hyperextended right elbow swinging the bat in his last start. The MRI on his elbow showed no damage to the ligament and the Mets initially said he would not miss a start. They then put him on the DL to be “overly cautious.”
DeGrom said he should be “good to go,” on Sunday, but Tuesday he wanted to prove to hiself and Callaway and Eiland he could throw without issues.
“I felt really good,” deGrom said. . . Righty reliever Hansel Robles left the game after injuring his right knee in the eighth Tuesday night. Robles had an X-ray after the game.