National Basketball Association

Jerry West defends LeBron, calls critics 'ridiculous'

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 10:35 p.m. ET

foxsports

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Hall of Famer Jerry West has mounted an impassioned defense of LeBron James, saying those who criticize the Cleveland Cavaliers star's 2-4 NBA Finals record are ''ridiculous.''

West spoke Saturday, one day before his Golden State Warriors try to take a 2-0 lead on James's Cavaliers in Game 2 of the finals rematch.

West is an executive board member for the Warriors who has spoken to James in the past about playoff failure. West was 1-8 in the finals in his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.

He told a media contingent that if he were James, ''Frankly, I'd probably want to strangle you guys.''

West says he has long admired James as a player and competitor.

Game 2 is Sunday in Oakland.