Van Gundy has respect for Jackson

Orlando Magic Coach Stan Van Gundy doesn’t feel as if he’s in a showdown against Lakers Coach Phil Jackson.

“I don’t think coaches ever match up,” Van Gundy said. “If Coach Jackson and I were out there one-on-one. . . . He was an NBA player and I was a below-average Division III player in college, so my guess is the advantage would go to him.

“[Jackson’s] bad hips might even it up a little, but probably not enough to make a difference. The guy has won more playoff series than I have playoff games. I mean, obviously, you’re talking one of the greatest coaches, if not the greatest coach, in the history of the NBA, and I’m here for the first time.”

Lewis ignores barbs

It had to happen eventually: Magic power forward Rashard Lewis was going to be asked about the $118-million contract he signed two summers ago.

“It doesn’t bother me much,” he said. “I’ve been criticized my whole career, from that green room getting drafted in the second round. I don’t feed into it. I think, if anything, it motivates me to go out there and continue to be successful in the NBA or be a better player. . . . At the end of the day, as long as we’re getting wins, I could care less what people say.”

Kobe-LeBron

Kobe Bryant said he wasn’t disappointed at all that the much-ballyhooed Kobe vs. LeBron James duel in the NBA Finals failed to materialize.

James’ Cavaliers were eliminated by the Magic in six games in the Eastern Conference finals.

“No, not really. I’m not disappointed at all,” Bryant said. “I’m just happy to be in this situation. I’m sad for LeBron because he’s a good friend of mine, but at the same time, I’m happy for Dwight [Howard].

“You just kind of move on and do what you have to do with your ballclub and just go from there.”

Bryant was just as indifferent when asked if he needed to win a title without Shaquille O’Neal to cement his legacy. He has three rings -- all won with O’Neal as his teammate.

“Not at all. It means nothing,” he said. “To me, it’s about winning another one, just because I want to win another one. [If] people think Shaq would have won a championship without me on that team, they’re crazy . . . you know what I’m saying?”

Etc.

The Magic is flying its staff to Los Angeles today. The Lakers freed up more than 100 tickets for the staffers. . . . Magic shooting guard J.J. Redick experienced the media circus first-hand. He was asked by a TV station to demonstrate his shooting techniques and then had to hold the microphone while the reporter took a shot.

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bschmitz@orlandosentinel.com