Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy had a lot to say about his feud with Shaquille O'Neal after Thursday's practice:
What's your feelings about Shaq?
`For good and bad, I’m not a very sensitive guy. My wife would say that’s bad, but in situations like this, it is good. I don’t get too concerned about what people have to say and criticism. If you are going to coach in this league you become immune to it.
``Whatever he wants to say, he says. I started it and I made my comment and if you are going to dish it out you’ve got to be able to take it. I can take it.’’
Didn't it become personal, though? He said players "hate' you.
``I think some people could say the same things and it would sting. First of all, I look at all of those things and I’m pretty sure every player who has played for me doesn’t hate me. We’d have to do a survey, but I’m pretty sure there are one or two. I don’t think any like me, but I’m pretty sure there are one or two who don’t hate me.
``I don’t worry about it because I don’t think it’s true. What stings are when people say things with a lot of truth in them. I’ve had people say things before that I wish weren’t true, but they were and they hurt.
``You consider the source and how much you respect the opinion of the person saying it and what you judge the veracity of it to be. I was only able to get about eight hours of sleep last night, so it did bother me a little."
Do you think Shaq ripped you in fun?
``No, that’s not his normal comments. Obvioulsy, I stuck a nerve and hurt his feelings. Shaq is a very sensitive guy. I hurt his feelings and I’m sorry.
``He usually tries to fake like he’s being humorous so he can back away from the comments at a later time. But he didn’t do it this time. There’s no line because he’s not playing for me. He can say whatever he wants.’’
``Shaq is who he is, and I don’t think anybody is too worried about me this morning. I don’t think too many people are saying, `Oh my gosh, that’s going to crush Stan.’ My lack of sensitivity is pretty well known.’’’’
Was there any lingering problem between you and Shaq from your Miami days?
``I don’t have anything lingering at all. I had no problem coaching him whatsoever and he helped us win a lot of games. I had no problem then so there’s nothing to linger.’’
You said you were joking about his flopping. Did he take it wrong?
"I was (joking), but some people you can joke with and have some fun with and aren’t real sensitive and then there are some very, very sensitive people. I’m not always the greatest judge to that as my family can attest to. Shaq is a very sensitive guy and what I meant as a joke he took very personally.’’
How do you feel about his comments on Dwight?
``To me, it’s consider the source and there basically hasn’t been anybody who Shaq has played against that he hasn’t jabbed. For whatever reason, he runs everybody down and that’s what he does. Was it bothered by it? No. Did I believe what he said? No, Dwight’s a great, young player. I worried about that about as much as I did with what he said about me. He can have whatever say, he’s a well-known guy and people will listen to him. He can say what he wants, but the rest of us can decide how we want to react to it.’’
How did the team react today to his comments that players don't like you?
``They kidded me a little when I walked into the locker room, but everybody knows the source and doesn’t take it that seriously.’’