Channing Frye says LeBron James is playing at “80 percent engagement”

LeBron James carried to the Cavs to a win on Saturday, scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter against the Grizzlies to seal the Cavs’ 11th straight win win. So far this season, James is playing at a level that should have him in the MVP conversation.

And according to Cavs center Channing Frye, James isn’t playing at 100 percent of his abilities.

"Well everyone was talking like, 'Hey, this is not Playoff LeBron.' Usually LeBron gives you about 60 percent. He's about 80 percent LeBron and it's looking effortless so pretty scary," Frye said . "This is 80 percent engagement. He's engaged on offense and defense. Tonight he didn't have a lot of rebounds, but every night almost has a triple-double, he's shooting the ball well, he's seeing the game a lot better, he's diverting to his teammates and that's pretty scary.”

"He adjusted today,” Frye continued. “They were double-teaming from the bottom so he moved to the elbow. Once he starts adjusting then he starts getting the ball screen-and-roll. You're seeing post-up passing LeBron, post-up scoring LeBron, shooting threes LeBron. There's a lot of different aspects of that. So when I say 80 percent I just mean that it's engagement every single game."

What Frye is pointing out is that James has seemed more engaged than he has at points of the last few seasons. Seemingly every night, he’s focused, attacking and carrying the Cavs. Even on defense, he’s making an impact.

There are several reasons why the Cavs have won 11 straight games, but LeBron’s play is a major reason why. Against the Grizzlies, he finished with 34 points and 12 assists while scoring 13 straight points to close out the Cavs’ win. For the year, he’s shooting a career-best 58.3 percent from the field, a career-best 41.3 percent from distance and his best PER since he was playing for the Heat in the 2012-13 season.

"Thank God he's on my team," Frye said. "I don't know what y'all told him or what he heard, but whatever zone he's in, keep it."