LOS ANGELES — With another report the Cavaliers approached the Knicks about Iman Shumpert, coach Mike Woodson continues to stamp out the perception he doesn’t like the Knicks combo guard because he’s on the trading block.
An ESPN.com report stated the Cavaliers asked about Shumpert as they shop young guard Dion Waiters. The Knicks aren’t interested in Waiters as they are looking for frontcourt help, not another shooting guard.
On Tuesday, Woodson called the notion he doesn’t like Shumpert “bull—-” in the wake of a performance in Portland that looked as if Shumpert had quit on the coach.
Woodson is trying to push the right buttons for Shumpert now — and at least to increase his trade value.
Woodson met with Shumpert during practice at UCLA on Tuesday following Monday’s zero-point, zero-assist, zero-rebound, two-turnover effort.
“It was a good conversation,’’ Woodson said before the Knicks’ 93-80 loss to the Clippers Wednesday night. “This thing buzzing around out there I don’t like Iman. I got a great deal of respect for Iman. That’s why he plays the minutes he’s played and has been in the starting lineup since I’ve been here.’’
Woodson said he may get on Shumpert more than others.
“If I’m calling your name, I‘m calling you for a reason,’’ he said. “I’m not trying to pick on you sometimes. It’s motivation. If I see a miscue, it’s just coaching. They can’t take it personally. We’re struggling somewhat. And there’s a lot of miscues and somebody has to say something. Our guys can’t take it personally.’’
Both Shumpert and J.R. Smith were dreadful in Portland and weren’t much better Wednesday night. Shumpert finished with two points, three rebounds and two assists, and Smith had seven points, five rebounds and two assists.
“They can’t have any nights off, they can’t,’’ Woodson said. “Last year they didn’t have many nights off. I got to get both of those guys playing at a high level. ‘’
Raymond Felton picked a tough time to return from his hip/hamstring injury, as he faced the Clippers’ Chris Paul on Wednesday.
Felton, who had 12 points and seven assists in 35 minutes, had missed the previous four games. Woodson said Felton’s not 100 percent and he is worried about the point guard’s conditioning.
“Paul’s not a good match for anybody,’’ Woodson said. “He’s pretty damn good but, hey, Raymond says he’s ready.’’
Clippers coach Doc Rivers said the Knicks have lost the one guy they couldn’t afford to in center Tyson Chandler, comparing it to when he had Kevin Garnett while in Boston.
“Not having him hurts you,’’ Rivers said before the game. “No doubt about it. Not just how he plays but his voice on the floor. Garnett was that way.
“When you lose that voice when Kevin didn’t play, it’s the one guy who held everyone accountable was gone.’’
Rivers, whose Celtics took the Knicks to six games last spring in the first round of the playoffs after falling behind 3-0 said, “I don’t think it helped them at all. They wanted a quick series, when they looked at what we had on the floor.’’