President Barack Obama told U.S. cable television channel TNT that he's good prospects of Los Angeles Lakers defending the NBA title.

"I've got to go with the Lakers again," Obama said in an interview shown on Tuesday night with the regular NBA broadcaster, citing Lakers' stars Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol.

"I think Gasol may be the best big man in the league right now," he said. "He's different from (Orlando Magic's) Dwight Howard, but he's (got) unbelievable footwork, speed, savvy, he's playing magnificently.

"Kobe is the fiercest competitor in the league and they've got what I continue to believe is the best coach in the NBA right now in Phil Jackson, so they're going to be formidable."

The Lakers now tie 2-2 with Phoenix Suns in the best-of-seven western conference final series after a game four loss on Tuesday.