Nuggets' coach George Karl doesn't believe that the Lakers are a lock to win the Western Conference.

"Basically, everybody's conceding that the Lakers are going to win (the Western Conference), and I don't believe that," Karl said. "I think there's numerous teams in the Western Conference that still have time to grow up and challenge."

In fact, Karl believes his Nuggets are one of the teams that can challenge the Lakers.

"Yes, I think we are. We have a window of improvement, and we also have that window of experience (to gain from) winning a playoff series that can bring momentum to a young team, a team that's never won."