"That's a zero": Former LeBron James teammate doesn't think the Los Angeles Lakers will reach the Finals

Channing Frye cares deeply for his former teammate LeBron James. The two players grew very close during their time together with the Cleveland Cavaliers and even won a championship. But no matter how much he respects James, he doesn't believe that the Los Angeles Lakers will reach the NBA Finals this year.

Speaking on Run It Back, Frye laid it out plainly and gave the team a zero percent chance of going all the way to the championship.

"No, that's a zero, that's a zero, that is a zero," Frye said laughing. He went on, "I mean, put it this way, if we stop right now, who are they playing in the play-in? The Warriors? That's a 50-50 chance right there. And then you've gotta go against a young Minnesota, or Dallas, who's cooking right now? Stop it."

Frye then spoke about his affinity for James and just how impressive the player is doing at 39 years old. "Bron, listen, that's my guy, I love you. If I saw him, I'd tell him the same thing. Hey, you had a great year, big guy, that's crazy, you're 39. I sweat going up the stairs, I need a breath, and you're out here averaging 25." Frye said.

Frye isn't the only one who thinks it'll be hard for the Lakers to reach the Finals this year. Even with the superb output by James this year, the team is in a tough position. They are the ninth seed in a very competitive conference. And although they surprised many last year and went all the way to the Western Conference Finals, that task will be even harder to achieve this year.

However, James impressed the entire NBA world on Wednesday night with a wonderful performance against the Los Angeles Clippers. In the fourth quarter alone, James posted 19 points and led his team to a massive 21-point comeback. The sort of aggression and skills that he showed will be needed in the weeks ahead if the Lakers wish to prove the critics wrong and fight for their 18th championship.

Frye is counting the Lakers out but this team has been counted out before and have still succeeded. Can they do it again this year?