Not exactly earth-shattering news, but TNT commentator and former NBA superstar Charles Barkley likes the Lakers. He said after the Lakers’ loss Thursday to the Denver Nuggets: “They have the best closer (in Kobe Bryant), they have the best big man (Gasol). This is the best Lakers team with the addition of (Matt) Barnes, (Steve) Blake and Theo Ratliff. This is their best team.” Presumably he meant during the last few seasons. it would be hard to top the talent and depth of the championship teams of 2000 through ’02 or the sustained excellence of the Showtime Era title winners of the 1980s. Then again …