LeBron James is doing a Shaquille O'Neal impersonation.

Not just with some clunky free-throw shooting.

But also with the confidence that it will get better.

Just like the big man used to do in his prime, LeBron James is assuring everyone that his free-throw shooting will improve when it matters.

While LeBron's charity stripe mark is nowhere near as bad as Shaq's was - the Diesel shot 52.7 percent from the line in his career - it definitely could use an uptick.

This season, James is knocking down his freebies at a career-low rate of 67.5 percent, down significantly from his career regular season mark of 74.0.

(Interestingly, LeBron was the only player to miss a free throw in Wednesday's loss to Denver. He was 2 for 4. Everyone else was 23 of 23.)

Not to worry, according to LeBron.

James told Joe Vardon of Cleveland.com that his free-throw shooting will improve come playoff time.

"It's killing me," he said. "Everything else is creeping up but that's taking a step down. I'll be fine for the playoffs. For the rest of this regular season, I'm going to end up shooting in the 60s, which is a career low for me, but the postseason, I'll be up there in the 80s."

Being in the 80s is something he's never done in the regular season, but he did get there in the postseason once, shooting 80.6 percent in 2013-14, the year his Miami Heat lost in five games to the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA finals.

In his 11 postseasons, LeBron is shooting 74.6 percent for his career, a small step up from his 74.0 regular seasons.

But coming into this season, LeBron's regular season mark of 74.4 percent was right with his postseason mark, before this year's downtick.

Of course, it's not all bad for James, who is averaging career-high marks in rebounds (8.4) and assists (8.8). His 26.0 points per game aren't too shabby either, and LeBron is a legitimate candidate to bring home his fifth MVP award.

The Cavaliers are 46-24 and lead the Boston Celtics by one game the race for the top seed in the Eastern Conference.

Cleveland should cruise through the first round, where they could meet the Heat.

The challenges could come after that, though, with tough teams like Boston, Washington and Toronto looking to knock down the champs.

And, of course, many expect LeBron and the Cavs to meet the Golden State Warriors in the NBA finals for the third consecutive season.

Think there could be some pressure-packed free throws coming then?