Jerry West is a member of the Golden State Warriors’ front office so he’s hoping to beat LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals.  But if that does happen, West still feels a kinship to James and think it’s ridiculous the criticism the “King” will face.

James is trying to avoid becoming the fourth player in Finals history to lose five series. No one lost more than West, whose 1-8 Finals record with the Los Angeles Lakers dogs him to this day. Because of that, West has found himself repeatedly defending James’ honor and did so again Saturday with the Warriors holding a 1-0 series lead.

“That’s the most ridiculous thing. If I were him, I’d probably want to strangle [detractors],” West said. “He’s carried teams on his shoulders. He’s been to the Finals six straight times. How many times has he been the favorite? None. Zero. Grossly unfair to him.

“I don’t want to sound like Donald Trump, but it’s hard for me to believe someone doesn’t recognize his greatness. This guy does everything, and he’s competitive as hell. Frankly, I wish people would leave him alone.”

The Warriors blew out the Cavs on Sunday night, winning 110-77, getting one step closer to a back-to-back NBA Finals win, and putting James one-step closer to that club he doesn’t want to join.

Sidenote: For the very few people who didn’t know, West is the NBA logo with that record.

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source: ESPN