Podcast Summary: The Athletic NBA Daily – "Is Kyrie Irving Best Number 2 Ever?"

Release Date: August 12, 2025

In the inaugural episode of Basketball 100, hosted by Jared Weiss alongside contributors Mike Vorkanoff and Tony Jones, the panel delves deep into the annals of NBA history to rank the top 100 players of all time. This episode particularly focuses on the intriguing debate surrounding Kyrie Irving, positioned at number 80, and examines whether he stands as the best number two player ever in the league.

1. Introduction to the Basketball 100 List

Jared Weiss kicks off the discussion by introducing the concept behind the Basketball 100 list, inspired by a collaborative book from The Athletic's team. The goal is to rank NBA players based on their historical impact, performance, and legacy.

Jared Weiss [03:16]:
"We're here to count down the top 100 players in NBA history. That's what the book did... We're going to discuss kind of where everybody's place in history is."

2. Early Rankings and Player Insights

The panel starts their countdown from number 100, providing brief analyses of each player’s contributions and legacy. Key discussions include:

• Draymond Green (#100): Recognized for his defensive prowess with the Golden State Warriors, highlighting his role beyond mere scoring.

• Jimmy Butler (#99): A point of contention arises regarding his team affiliation, sparking a playful debate between the hosts.

Jared Weiss [05:03]:
"Number 100, Draymond Green... Number 99, Jimmy Butler... What team do I label him as when we discuss him here?"

Tony Jones [05:06]:
"Yeah, I think it's got to be Big Face Coffee."

Mike Vorkanoff [05:09]:
"I'm still with the Chicago Bulls."

3. Spotlight on Elite Players

As the countdown progresses, the hosts delve into the careers and impacts of legendary players such as:

• Dave Bing (#98): Celebrated as a smooth scoring point guard with impressive assist numbers despite a significant eye injury.

• Lenny Wilkins (#96): A dual-threat as both a pioneering playmaking guard and a respected coach, noted for his defensive skills.

• Sidney Moncrief (#95): Highlighted as the first Defensive Player of the Year, blending elite defense with scoring ability before his career was curtailed by injuries.

Tony Jones [17:37]:
"He was going to be a perennial All-Star, but his career was tanked by chronic knee and foot injuries."

Mike Vorkanoff [27:27]:
"What's interesting about Sidney Moncrief is that he averaged 23 points per game while winning Defensive Player of the Year."

4. Artis Gilmore and Bill Sharman (#94 & #93)

Artis Gilmore (#94):
Discussed as one of the best rebounders in NBA history, Gilmore's blend of ABA and NBA success is compared to modern centers like David Robinson.

Bill Sharman (#93):
Recognized as a pioneer of the jump shot, Sharman's role in establishing the Celtics' early dominance is emphasized, though finding a modern equivalent remains challenging.

Mike Vorkanoff [28:31]:
"Artis Gilmore was one of the first real mega athletes as a center who could run the floor and beat guards down the floor."

5. Bernard King and Jason Tatum (#92 & #91)

Bernard King (#92):
King's scoring prowess and resilience post-ACL injury are lauded, drawing comparisons to current stars like Carmelo Anthony.

Jason Tatum (#91):
Acknowledged as a current superstar, his placement serves as a bridge between legends and the modern era.

Tony Jones [34:11]:
"Bernard King was one of the original scorers who made it really hard to shut his water off once he got going."

6. Rising Stars and Pioneers

The discussion moves to emerging talents and historical pioneers who shaped the game:

• Manu Ginobili (#82): Celebrated for his versatile playmaking and scoring, with Weiss expressing personal admiration.

• Pete Maravich (#81): Known for his creativity and style, Maravich is compared to modern players like Kyrie Irving for his flair and legendary status.

Jay Weiss [44:38]:
"He’s like a Kyrie Irving type of player, smaller guard, great handle, great shooter, extremely shoot-first type of profile."

7. The Kyrie Irving Debate (#80)

The core of the episode revolves around Kyrie Irving at number 80. The hosts dissect his career, achievements, and the complexities of evaluating a number two player in the NBA.

Jared Weiss [46:06]:
"Kyrie Irving is probably the best number two of this generation... he reached an offensive peak that very few small guards are capable of."

Mike Vorkanoff [50:27]:
"He might be the best number two of this generation. He has the second best handles in NBA history and is probably the best under-the-rim finisher ever seen."

However, the panel also addresses the challenges in assessing Irving’s legacy:

• Injuries and Consistency: Irving's numerous injuries have limited his playing time and consistent impact.

• Team Dynamics: His successes often tied to playing alongside superstars like LeBron James and Luka Doncic, raising questions about his standalone greatness.

• Off-Court Issues: Controversial moments, such as his 2019 action with the Celtics and suspension for tweeting an anti-Semitic film link, add layers to his evaluation.

Tony Jones [56:16]:
"Kyrie Irving's case is really complicated, for so many reasons. He was an amazing scorer aesthetically... yet he struggles because he's never been the best player on his team."

8. Underrated and Overrated Players

The discussion extends to evaluating players' rankings based on peak performance versus career longevity, with particular attention to:

• Draymond Green (#100): Despite being ranked lower, his defensive impact and integral role in the Warriors' dynasty are highly praised, sparking debate over his placement.

• Grant Hill and Chris Bosh: Highlighted for their influential roles and how injuries and team dynamics affected their legacies.

Jared Weiss [56:51]:
"Draymond is probably the third best defender in NBA history... Considering how much he has been in the Finals, his defensive impact is almost as big as some of the greatest offensive players."

Mike Vorkanoff [58:56]:
"Draymond's performance in the 2019 Conference Finals... just absolutely took the series over defensively."

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the complexities of ranking NBA players, balancing individual brilliance with team success. They acknowledge the subjective nature of such rankings and the evolving nature of the game that continuously reshapes player legacies.

Jared Weiss [71:32]:
"There's so many guys who were amazing and had their careers shaped by the eras they played in. Context matters a lot."

Mike Vorkanoff [66:35]:
"Draymond has had a sustained success of a decade, being a championship-level player, which is really rare and a big part of why I value him so highly."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jared Weiss [03:16]:
  "We're here to count down the top 100 players in NBA history... We're going to discuss kind of where everybody's place in history is."

• Tony Jones [07:07]:
  "It's the player that... probably doesn't deserve to be on that list at all, which is Vince Carter."

• Mike Vorkanoff [27:27]:
  "Sidney Moncrief was the guy that your favorite point guard did not want to face, and that was Jrue Holiday, and that's Kyrie Irving."

• Jared Weiss [56:51]:
  "Draymond is probably the third best defender in NBA history... his defensive impact is almost as big as some of the greatest offensive players."

This episode of Basketball 100 offers listeners a comprehensive analysis of NBA greatness, blending historical insights with contemporary evaluations. The thoughtful debate around Kyrie Irving's standing as the premier number two player underscores the nuanced criteria involved in such rankings, making it a must-listen for basketball enthusiasts seeking depth and perspective on the sport's finest.