INDIANAPOLIS — Knicks interim coach Kurt Rambis pulls no punches when it comes to discussing Jimmer Fredette.
Before the Knicks’ 108-105 loss to the Pacers Wednesday at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Rambis, who said he had no plans for Fredette to play, benched him again. Rambis added Fredette hasn’t shown enough defensive muscle in practices, saying he got “pushed around a little.’’
Fredette played only the final 1:49 of garbage time in his first game Monday despite loud “We want Jimmer’’ chants at the Garden. He promptly hit a 3-pointer, but then left his man open on the other end for a 3-pointer.
“We had a tough, aggressive defensive practice [Tuesday],’’ Rambis said. “So looking at different guys and what they were doing defensively, some parts [Fredette] got pushed around a little bit. Guys were active defensively as a result of the defense. So right now it’s probably still going to be the same rotation as it was before.’’
Rambis then added that rookie sensation Kristaps Porzingis also gets “pushed around’’ at times.
“It’s just being young, skinny, small,’’ Rambis said. “You have a physical practice or game, that’s what happens. It’s not like it was something so obvious that he was falling down all the time. Nothing like that. But you see guys get more physical, there’s going to be more issues [with him].’’
Since news of Fredette’s arrival leaked Friday, Rambis hasn’t given the Glens Falls cult hero many platitudes, even suggesting “management’’ had a lot of say in the 10-day signing.
Rambis’ assessment did nothing to fluster Fredette, the former lottery pick.
“I try to go out and play as hard as I can on both sides of the floor,’’ Fredette told The Post. “That’s my job as a player — to work hard every single day and provide for the team. I’m just focused on working as hard as I can on both sides of the floor.
“I’ve been in the NBA four years before this. I know how NBA practices are. I’ve been through a lot of them. Obviously playing against the best athletes in the world — big, strong guys. It’s definitely competitive.’’
Fredette doesn’t want the hoopla over his signing to be “a distraction’’ to his teammates.
“I appreciate the support from the fans,’’ Fredette said. “It’s great. I try to focus on the game and what’s going on on the floor and not what’s going on in the stands. I stay focused and make sure it’s not a distraction for myself or my teammates.’’
Rambis again cited the Knicks’ youth, despite a roster that includes several veterans. But he clarified what he means by “young.”
“We’re still a young, growing team,’’ Rambis said. “We got a lot of young players on the court in terms of the amount of time spent together. One player making a mistake, one player being a second late, that’s all it takes to get a wide-open shot in this league.’’
Detroit coach/president Stan Van Gundy recently laughed at the notion the Knicks are “developing’’ — as former coach Derek Fisher suggested. Van Gundy listed four of the Knicks’ starters — Jose Calderon, Arron Afflalo, Carmelo Anthony and Robin Lopez — as over 30 years old.
When asked his reaction to Van Gundy’s view, Rambis said, “It’s not necessarily their age but amount of time they spent together working with each other. That’s where players get in sync.’’
Rookie point guard Jerian Grant and Derrick Williams also did not play.