Iman Shumpert ‘Pissed’ that New York Knicks Didn’t Clinch Playoff Berth

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After finishing this season with a record of 37-45, the New York Knicks failed to clinch the No. 8 seed in the playoffs by just one game behind the Atlanta Hawks. The result has made the players on the roster bitter, including guard Iman Shumpert on Twitter.

“@JRA_903: Aye you see how Caron stole yo celebration @I_Am_Iman” i def seen that it's coo doe. We shuda been in the offs smh. #pissed — Iman Shumpert I (@I_Am_Iman) May 8, 2014

The 17th overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft totaled 6.7 points, 4.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game during the long and disappointing year. Despite his non-improved numbers from last season, Shumpert is still a vital piece to the Knicks’ future at only 23-years old, even when the team is experiencing drastic changes this offseason.

That involves hiring a new general on the bench to replace former head coach Mike Woodson. Even though Woodson led the Knicks to the Eastern conference semifinals last year after clinching the Atlantic division, team president Phil Jackson still felt that having a different persona running the franchise will help turn things around quickly.

According to Marc Stein and Ian Begley of ESPN.com, the Golden State Warriors feel “pessimistic” about their chances in acquiring Steve Kerr to coach the team because of how deep he is in talking with the Knicks.

“Sources told ESPN.com that the Warriors fear Kerr is “too deep” in talks with the Knicks and new shot-caller Phil Jackson to convince Kerr to rebuff Jackson now, despite Kerr’s close relationship with Warriors owner Joe Lacob and team president Rick Welts, as well as Golden State’s proximity to Kerr’s offseason home in San Diego.”

With no head coaching experience at any level, Kerr is still regarded as one of the top candidates for any of the vacancies this offseason. The fact that Kerr and Jackson have had a long lasting relationship since their Chicago Bulls days back in the late 1990’s and Kerr’s understanding of the triangle offense will allow him to receive his first opportunity to coach in the NBA at Madison Square Garden.

Marc Berman of the New York Post wrote on Friday that Kerr is asking for a five-year, $30 million deal. He will make his decision next week.

Zach Libby is an NBA columnist for Tru School Sports. Follow him on Twitter @Zach__Libby.