If Lakers make playoffs, Jerry West says nobody wants to play them

If the Lakers make the playoffs, which looks more and more likely, Jerry West has an idea of how they’d do.

“I definitely wouldn’t want to play them, I know that,� West said on a conference call with reporters Thursday. “I think they’d have a chance against anyone.�

West, a Hall of Fame player for the Lakers and now an executive with Golden State, said there were certain teams the Lakers (36-33) wouldn’t want to play. Oklahoma City and San Antonio weren’t mentioned.

“I think if the Lakers would have their preference, they probably wouldn’t want to play Denver. I don’t think anyone would want to play them,� West said. “Denver has proven they can win on the road and they just don’t lose at home.�

West then said Memphis would be a tough match-up for the Lakers, comparing the Grizzlies to a “bunch of pack dogs� because of their defense.

“To me, they’ve got the most underrated player in the league on their team in Marc Gasol,� West said. “That guy is really a good player.�

But wait a sec. The Lakers would probably play Oklahoma City or San Antonio in the first round.

“If you watch Oklahoma City, to me, they don’t look like they’re the same team,� West said. “I think that they’re terrific, but they lose a great player in James Harden, and that’s going to happen to a lot of teams today, and can they make up for the loss of him? I’m not sure.�

The Lakers lead Utah by 1½ games for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They trail Houston by 1½ games for seventh place and Golden State by 2½ games for sixth.

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