Podcast Summary: The Athletic NBA Daily - Episode: "Is TMac Overrated?" (Episodes 2 Basketball 100)
Release Date: August 14, 2025
Hosts: John Krasinski, Law Murray, Fred Katz
Location: New York, Los Angeles, Minnesota
Focus: Ranking NBA players 60 through 79 on the Basketball 100 list with a special focus on Tracy McGrady (TMac)
Introduction
In this episode of The Athletic NBA Daily, hosted by John Krasinski alongside basketball analysts Law Murray and Fred Katz, the trio delves into the rankings of NBA legends, specifically focusing on players ranked 60 through 79 in their comprehensive Basketball 100 list. The central theme revolves around assessing whether Tracy McGrady (TMac) is overrated, sparking a vibrant discussion among the hosts.
Player Rankings Overview
John Krasinski initiates the episode by listing the players ranked from 60 to 79:
- 79: Alex English
- 78: Paul Gasol
- 77: Sam Jones
- 76: Jerry Lucas
- 75: Alonzo Mourning
- 74: Bill Walton
- 73: Hal Greer
- 72: Paul George
- 71: Robert Parish
- 70: Tiny Archibald
- 69: Billy Cunningham
- 68: Chris Weber
- 67: Earl Monroe
- 66: Carmelo Anthony
- 65: Damien Lillard
- 64: Dennis Rodman
- 63: Dolph Shayes
- 62: Wes Unseld
- 61: Dave Cowens
- 60: Tracy McGrady (TMac)
In-Depth Player Discussions
Tracy McGrady (TMac) – Rank 60
John Krasinski raises the question: "Is TMac overrated?" He praises McGrady's scoring prowess, highlighting his consistency with averaging 25 points and 8 assists over seven seasons. However, he critiques McGrady's lack of playoff success, noting:
"[...] TMAC played in eight playoff series before that 2013 year, and he wasn't successful in any of them. [...] If you're going to look at impact and what a guy did with his teams, TMAC couldn't even steal one series."
[54:31] John Krasinski
Fred Katz counters by comparing McGrady's achievements to those of Alex English, who ranked lower despite English leading the league in scoring during the 1980s. He argues that McGrady's individual accolades and statistical dominance warrant his higher ranking.
"[...] Alex English was 79th on our list, and I think, you know, you could have flipped that and you wouldn't have got an argument out of me."
[61:25] Fred Katz
This comparison ignites a debate on the criteria for evaluating players—whether individual statistics should outweigh team success and playoff performances.
Carmelo Anthony – Rank 66
Law Murray shares insights on Carmelo Anthony, emphasizing his dynamic personality and scoring ability. He reminisces about Melo's influence both on and off the court, noting:
"[...] Muffa, Mel and Sam had their own podcasts and unscrupulous interests beyond basketball, like Melo's love of wine and his successful business ventures."
[15:35] Law Murray
John Krasinski underscores Melo's collegiate success at Syracuse and his Olympic achievements, suggesting that Melo's overall career justifies his ranking and potentially higher placement.
"[...] you cannot tell Melo's story without Syracuse and that unbelievable national championship and without the Olympics and, and how successful he was as a scorer at the Olympics."
[14:14] John Krasinski
Alex English – Rank 79
John Krasinski highlights Alex English's impressive career with the Denver Nuggets, where he was an eight-time All-Star and led the league in scoring in the 1982-83 season without the benefit of the three-point line.
"[...] Alex English was a 6, 8 kind of forward, you know, slash guard that was just super silky smooth. Had eight seasons where he averaged 25 plus points."
[26:07] John Krasinski
Fred Katz emphasizes English's consistency and significance in the 1980s, arguing that his lower ranking compared to current players like TMac overlooks English's contributions and scoring dominance during his era.
"[...] Alex English was the only dude who dropped 20,000 points in the 1980s. Like, no one else even scored 19,000 points between the 1980 and 1990 seasons."
[61:25] Fred Katz
Alonzo Mourning – Rank 75
Law Murray defends Alonzo Mourning's defensive prowess, arguing that his contributions get overshadowed by other dominant centers of his era such as Shaquille O'Neal, David Robinson, and Dikembe Mutombo.
"[...] Alonzo Mourning is truly one of the great defensive centers who would also give you 20 on the other end. And he was a joy to watch, whether he was blocking shots or dragging Jeff Van Gundy around the floor."
[58:37] Law Murray
John Krasinski adds that Mourning's impact on teams like the Miami Heat and his personal battles, such as kidney problems, should be considered when evaluating his legacy and rank.
"[...] there's no getting around how Alonzo Mourning got lost in the sauce when we have that conversation about that generation of centers."
[58:37] Law Murray
Other Notable Players Discussed
- Paul Gasol (78): Discussed briefly, highlighting his versatility and international success.
- Sam Jones (77): Celebrated for his championship-winning career with the Celtics.
- Jerry Lucas (76): Acknowledged for his all-around game and contributions during his era.
- Bill Walton (74): Remembered for his time with UCLA and the Portland Trail Blazers, despite injury challenges.
- Hal Greer (73): Recognized as one of the best guards of the 60s with a significant impact on the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Robert Parish (71): Praised for his longevity and role in the Boston Celtics' championship successes.
- Tiny Archibald (70): Highlighted as the only player to lead the league in both scoring and assists in the same season.
- Billy Cunningham (69): Honored for his dual role as a player and coach for the Philadelphia 76ers.
- Chris Weber (68): Appreciated for his contribution to the Sacramento Kings' fast-paced offense.
- Earl Monroe (67): Celebrated his flashy style and influence on the game, both on and off the court.
- Damien Lillard (65), Dennis Rodman (64), Dolph Shayes (63), Wes Unseld (62), Dave Cowens (61): Briefly mentioned with highlights of their careers.
Insights & Analysis
Examining Player Impact Beyond Statistics:
The hosts emphasize evaluating players based not only on their individual statistics but also on their overall impact on the game, team success, and legacy. For instance, while TMac boasts impressive scoring numbers, his lack of playoff success is a significant factor in debates about his ranking.
Era Comparisons:
There's a recurring theme of comparing players across different eras, considering the evolving nature of the game, rule changes, and the level of competition. Players like Alex English are praised for their dominance in a pre-three-point era, suggesting that their contributions might warrant higher rankings when contextualized properly.
Personalities and Off-Court Contributions:
Law Murray and Fred Katz discuss how players' personalities and contributions off the court, such as Carmelo Anthony's business ventures and Earl Monroe's influence on popular culture, enhance their overall legacy and influence on the sport.
Defensive Prowess vs. Scoring Ability:
Alonzo Mourning's discussion highlights the balance between defensive capabilities and scoring. While contemporary centers are often lauded for their scoring, Mourning is remembered for his defensive dominance and how it shaped his team's success.
Concluding Thoughts
The episode wraps up with a rapid-fire segment where John Krasinski and Law Murray reflect on the rankings and make final comments on player placements. They acknowledge the subjective nature of rankings and the balance between individual prowess and team achievements.
Notable Quotes
-
Fred Katz on Paul George:
"Paul really is a loyal guy, maybe to a fault sometimes [...] he has real basketball experience and real basketball perspective."
[07:01] Fred Katz -
Law Murray on Carmelo Anthony:
"He had almost 30,000 career points [...] he's got his own wine label now. [...] he's an incredibly dynamic personality."
[15:35] Law Murray -
Fred Katz on Alex English vs. TMac:
"Alex English was the only dude who dropped 20,000 points in the 1980s. Like, no one else even scored 19,000 points between the 1980 and 1990 seasons."
[61:25] Fred Katz -
Law Murray on Alonzo Mourning:
"Alonzo Mourning is truly one of the great defensive centers who would also give you 20 on the other end."
[58:37] Law Murray -
John Krasinski on TMac’s Playoff Performance:
"TMAC couldn't even steal one series [...] Impact and what a guy did with his teams, TMAC couldn't even..."
[54:31] John Krasinski
Conclusion
This episode provides a thorough examination of NBA legends ranked 60 to 79, with a particular focus on evaluating Tracy McGrady's place within the Basketball 100 list. Through engaging discussions and insightful analysis, the hosts offer listeners a nuanced perspective on what truly defines a player's legacy in the NBA.
Note: This summary excludes all advertisement segments and non-content sections from the original transcript to focus solely on the informative discussions about NBA players.