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.
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