For 41 years, the Los Angeles Lakers' 33-game winning streak in the 1971-72 season has stood as one of the most unbreakable records in sports.

Right up there with Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak, the undefeated 1972 Miami Dolphins and Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game in 1962.

But if the Miami Heat can win their next 10 games, the Lakers' record will fall.

"I think [the Heat] have an incredible chance to do it," said Golden State Warriors executive Jerry West, who averaged 25.8 points and 9.7 assists for the Lakers in 1971-72.

"You ask me, 'Does it bother me?' Absolutely not. I think it's great for the league. I'm excited for my friend, Pat Riley, to be able to replicate this now as an executive. But as a player, that's pretty special."

West says he's rooting for the Heat and LeBron James.

"He's an amazing player," West said Thursday. "And, frankly, I'm thrilled for him because of all the negative things said about him as a player. He's improved as a player, but more importantly as a person."

West said he admires James' selfless attitude on the court and the way the Heat play as a team.

"I think they have a team," West said. "So much of the NBA has been marketing its stars. Players that have a flamboyant way of playing, and we have some incredible athletes playing this game. So much of the marketing in the NBA has been, frankly, about players. I think it's time we talked about the teams.

"When I look at the league this year, I think we have a lot of great teams. You look how they play together, Denver, Memphis, San Antonio, and obviously, the Heat. I don't want to leave anyone out, but I'm just mentioning those four teams."

Miami has become so good, West said, he can't see an upcoming game outside of a road matchup in San Antonio on March 31, that poses a real threat to the winning streak, which stands at 24.

"It may not end," he said. "That's why I think it's so remarkable. I look at the schedule and I see one team on there that's a terrific team and obviously that's the Spurs. That would be a game that I would be concerned about, playing in San Antonio and they're going to have Tony Parker back by then."