ESPN personality Brian Windhorst earned the praise of his colleagues after sounding off on the Los Angeles Lakers in the latest edition of the network’s popular sports morning debate show.

The longtime NBA insider went on a fiery rant on Thursday’s showing of First Take, expressing that he does not view the Lakers as a threat proclaiming he “can’t take them seriously.”

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Brian Windhorst criticized the Lakers’ playoff hopes on First TakeCredit: First Take

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The Lakers are 36-31 and the ninth seed in the WestCredit: Getty
Host Molly Qerim joined Windhorst, Chris ‘Mad Dog’ Russo, and ex-NFL star Domonique Foxworth, while cohost Stephen A Smith was off the show for the day.

The panel discussed whether the Lakers were still a threat in the Western Conference.

They are the ninth seed in the West at 36-31 and are coming off a double-digit loss to the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.

The Kings defeated the Lakers 120-107 for the clean sweep, beating the franchise in their four matchups this season.

Windhorst expressed that no team in the West with a playoff chance is scared of the Lakers outside of the young Oklahoma City Thunder, whom Los Angeles has played well against this season.

“Your hope as a Lakers fan is that you can get in a playoff series with the OKC Thunder,” Windhorst said.

That is a team you have been three out of four times. You like that matchup. Your size works for you and your experience.”

“The Lakers would have a fighting chance in that scenario.”

He continued to express that the Denver Nuggets are the best team in the NBA, and the Lakers don’t have a chance against the defending champions.

“The Nuggets have been the league’s best team since the All-Star break when they took over the No.1 seed…” Windhorst shared.

“I think they are getting the one… The Lakers are facing fighting with the Warriors for home-court advantage in the 9/10 game and praying the Kings aren’t in the 7/8 and have to potentially see them in the next round.”

“Just to then potentially have a rematch with another team they can’t beat, which is the Denver Nuggets.”

He continued to detail that the defense in Los Angeles is terrible, stating that over the past 15 games, the Lakers have ranked 29th in defense and that the team needs to improve if it wants any hope.

“I can’t take this team seriously when you got the second-worst defense in the league in the most important part of the season.”

At the end of Windhorst’s rant, Molly applauded his passion, saying, “He came in hot, standing O, Windy—the passion, the delivery, the points. That was just exceptional.”

The Lakers’ next game is an important battle against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday as the teams jockey for playoff position.