LOS ANGELES – Mike Woodson and Iman Shumpert didn’t kiss and make up Tuesday, but seemed to come to an understanding.
The Knicks coach angrily denounced the notion he doesn’t like Shumpert, saying it’s “bulls–t” after the two spoke during practice. Woodson’s salty comments came one day after Shumpert played what may have been the worst game of his NBA career in Portland, when it looked as if he had quit on his coach.
Woodson has been highly critical of Shumpert since preseason began, when he started eyeing J.R. Smith as a starter to replace Shumpert. Knicks president Steve Mills had spoken to several teams about the Georgia Tech defensive guard, fueling belief Woodson is trying to run him out of town following the summer-league fiasco when Shumpert played in just one game.
The Kings, who have talked to the Knicks about Shumpert with big man Jason Thompson being discussed, had a scout at the Knicks-Portland game Monday.
Shumpert played Monday as if the trade talk has worn on him, going scoreless with no assists, no rebounds, no steals and two turnovers. He was also a minus-22.
After the game, Woodson said he and Shumpert needed to have a talk, which they did at the UCLA practice gym.
“If I didn’t like him, I don’t think he’d be averaging 30 minutes on my ballclub,’’ Woodson said testily. “You got to look at that. I like everybody on our team. So that perception is bulls–t, if you ask me. If I didn’t think much of the man, he wouldn’t be playing. If I don’t think much of you, you’re not going to play.”
Shumpert is averaging 30.5 minutes, but his scoring average is a dismal 7.4 points on just 40 percent shooting.
“I’m going to play guys I like and think can help us win and who play hard,’’ Woodson added. “He’s one of those kids. That’s why he’s been a starter on this team since he’s been a rookie. That perception is bulls–t, if you ask me.’’
When asked if he got that message across to Shumpert, Woodson said, “He knows how I feel. That’s all that counts.’’
A Knicks PR staffer cut off the interview and the coach stormed out of the gym.
The Knicks, who have lost six straight games to fall to a disgraceful 3-10, play the 10-5 Clippers at Staples Center Wednesday night.
Shumpert said he was glad the two spoke.
“He just reminded me I got to stay ready to play, stay energetic,’’ Shumpert said. “He thought I wasn’t energetic yesterday. He felt he hadn’t come down on me in a while. I don’t take it offensive when my head coach comes down on me. That’s what he’s supposed to do — ask the most out of me.’’
The Knicks’ 2011 first-round pick is trying to decipher why he hasn’t looked like the same player.
“Anytime you lose you can play with more energy,’’ Shumpert said. “If you’re going to ask anything out of a 23-year-old, you should be able to ask for energy. I just think I’m thinking too much. When I looked at the film, I just thought I was doing too much thinking and not enough acting off my sense of urgency and my basketball sense.’’
Shumpert has been consistent in saying he’s trying to block out the noise about his future.
“I know I can’t predict the future,’’ Shumpert said. “I can’t say what anybody is going to do. All the trade rumors going on, nothing I can do about it. All I can do is play hard.’’
Before meeting with reporters at UCLA, Woodson went on his ESPN radio show to deny he’s starting to lose the players. Knicks owner James Dolan told The Post last week Woodson’s job is safe because all the players “respect’’ him.
“I don’t think I have lost the locker room,” Woodson said. “I don’t think I have lost players from an individual standpoint. What I have lost is a Tyson Chandler and a Raymond Felton, that is what I have lost from my starting team. And I don’t know if you can go on any roster and take two starters out of their roster and they still survive.’’