Who’s the Second Greatest Cavalier Ever? The Debate Beyond LeBron — Why It Might Not Be Kyrie After All 👀
When it comes to the greatest player in Cleveland Cavaliers history, there’s no debate — LeBron James stands alone. The Akron native carried the franchise to new heights, delivered its only NBA championship in 2016, and remains the face of Cavaliers basketball.
But ask Cavaliers fans a different, more curious question — “Who is the second greatest player in franchise history?” — and suddenly, the debate gets fascinating.
Many immediately point to Kyrie Irving, the dazzling point guard whose unforgettable three-pointer in Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals secured Cleveland’s first major sports championship in over five decades. The shot is iconic. The moment, eternal.
But was Kyrie truly the second greatest Cavalier? Or does that title belong to someone who carried more weight, more responsibility, and perhaps, more loyalty to the franchise?
The Kyrie Irving Argument: The Shot Heard ‘Round the World
No one can downplay Kyrie Irving’s impact on Cavaliers history. His elite ball-handling, clutch scoring, and All-Star performances were instrumental in Cleveland’s golden era alongside LeBron.
Stats with the Cavaliers (2011-2017):
✔ 5x NBA All-Star
✔ 22.0 points per game
✔ 5.5 assists per game
✔ NBA Champion (2016)
✔ One of the most memorable shots in NBA Finals history
But there’s an undeniable caveat: Kyrie was never the unquestioned leader of the Cavaliers. He played under the shadow — albeit a massive one — of LeBron James. Despite his heroics, Kyrie never led Cleveland deep into the playoffs as the team’s undisputed number one option.
The Case for Another Cavalier: Mark Price, Brad Daugherty, or…?
Before LeBron, the Cavaliers still had stars — players who carried the weight of the franchise and consistently pushed Cleveland into contention.
Mark Price, the sharp-shooting point guard and four-time All-Star, was arguably the engine of the competitive Cavaliers teams of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Price averaged over 15 points and 6 assists per game during his Cleveland tenure and is still revered for his leadership, consistency, and loyalty.
Then there’s Brad Daugherty, the dominant big man and five-time All-Star who helped anchor Cleveland’s frontcourt during some of its most successful pre-LeBron years.
Both Price and Daugherty led the Cavaliers into the playoffs — often as their undisputed top options — and helped lay the foundation for the franchise’s respectability long before LeBron arrived.
Modern Names Enter the Conversation
Could the title belong to Zydrunas Ilgauskas, the fan-favorite big man whose loyalty to Cleveland and longevity made him one of the most beloved Cavaliers ever?
Or does recent history suggest rising stars like Donovan Mitchell could one day claim that spot, should he deliver consistent playoff success and perhaps, a championship?
It Comes Down to This…
The answer to “Who is the second greatest Cavalier ever?” depends on how you define greatness:
🏀 Legacy and moments? Kyrie’s Game 7 shot is hard to top.
🏀 Leadership and consistency? Mark Price and Brad Daugherty deserve consideration.
🏀 Loyalty and longevity? Zydrunas Ilgauskas may quietly own that title.
🏀 The future? Donovan Mitchell and others could soo
n force their way into the conversation.
