Most impressive title run by a player...?

[One_and_Done]

I couldnt find this topic in the search, and since we discussed this in a different thread. I like to consider those rings special where these conditions were met:
- one superstar with little help
- had to overcome extremely strong competition

In my personal opinion those titles carry more weight than a title won on a team with multiple superstars, all stars, all NBA player and so on. They are the result of an individual excelling through out four series and overcoming the odds. Those champions impress me persnoally more more than rings won by a well orchestrated team (Spurs), even more than a super talented team (2015 Warriors, Shaq/Kobe, MJ Bulls) and certainly a lot more than those won on a superteam (Miami superfriends, Cleveland 2016, Warriors 2017 and 2018, Lakers 2020).

Also i only want to list those seasons that i personally watched live, so bear with me if i forgot someone. Also didnt want to make the lst too big so only considered title runs, not finals - in which case i woudl have included Iversons heroics as well as LeBrons heroics from his original Cleveland stint.

Here's the same topic (minus the title requirement) in an earlier thread, but with better options.
viewtopic.php?t=2359507

I can't believe you didn't even list 2003 Duncan. You should update the poll.

[bledredwine]

91-93 Jordan. All three, pretty clearly.

He was a different animal.

[MrPainfulTruth]

I couldnt find this topic in the search, and since we discussed this in a different thread. I like to consider those rings special where these conditions were met:
- one superstar with little help
- had to overcome extremely strong competition

In my personal opinion those titles carry more weight than a title won on a team with multiple superstars, all stars, all NBA player and so on. They are the result of an individual excelling through out four series and overcoming the odds. Those champions impress me persnoally more more than rings won by a well orchestrated team (Spurs), even more than a super talented team (2015 Warriors, Shaq/Kobe, MJ Bulls) and certainly a lot more than those won on a superteam (Miami superfriends, Cleveland 2016, Warriors 2017 and 2018, Lakers 2020).

Also i only want to list those seasons that i personally watched live, so bear with me if i forgot someone. Also didnt want to make the lst too big so only considered title runs, not finals - in which case i woudl have included Iversons heroics as well as LeBrons heroics from his original Cleveland stint.

Here's the same topic (minus the title requirement) in an earlier thread, but with better options.
viewtopic.php?t=2359507

I can't believe you didn't even list 2003 Duncan. You should update the poll.

I think thats a very different topic, and i dont like that list. I dont claim to produce an all time list and i only wanted to discuss seasons i actually remember.

[One_and_Done]

I couldnt find this topic in the search, and since we discussed this in a different thread. I like to consider those rings special where these conditions were met:
- one superstar with little help
- had to overcome extremely strong competition

In my personal opinion those titles carry more weight than a title won on a team with multiple superstars, all stars, all NBA player and so on. They are the result of an individual excelling through out four series and overcoming the odds. Those champions impress me persnoally more more than rings won by a well orchestrated team (Spurs), even more than a super talented team (2015 Warriors, Shaq/Kobe, MJ Bulls) and certainly a lot more than those won on a superteam (Miami superfriends, Cleveland 2016, Warriors 2017 and 2018, Lakers 2020).

Also i only want to list those seasons that i personally watched live, so bear with me if i forgot someone. Also didnt want to make the lst too big so only considered title runs, not finals - in which case i woudl have included Iversons heroics as well as LeBrons heroics from his original Cleveland stint.

Here's the same topic (minus the title requirement) in an earlier thread, but with better options.
viewtopic.php?t=2359507

I can't believe you didn't even list 2003 Duncan. You should update the poll.

I think thats a very different topic, and i dont like that list. I dont claim to produce an all time list and i only wanted to discuss seasons i actually remember.

You have Kawhi on your list. I think Kawhi was better than Jordan peak to peak, but to claim the 2019 title as one of the 'most impressive ever' is crazy. Kawhi had an incredibly deep team (Siakam, Lowry, Gasol, Ibaka, OG, D.Green, FVV, etc) and it wasn't like he just crushed his opposition in the playoffs. He needed a miracle shot to put away Philly, and only win the finals due to injuries.

Toronto in 19 might have had the best top 7-8 rotation of all-time.

[DCasey91]

Hakeem Olajuwon

94
Blazers 47 wins 4-1
Suns 56 wins (down 2-1 37/17/5/3 closeout game 7) 4-3
Jazz 53 wins 4-1
Knicks 56 wins (Game saving block game 6, down 2-3) 4-3

95
Jazz 60 wins (down 2-1) 3-2, game 4 Drex had 41 and Keem had 40
Suns 59 wins (down 3-1, win game 7 by 1 point KJ has 46) 4-3
Spurs 62 wins 4-2 Drops 39/17/3/2/5 in the closeout, man said that's my MVP... Averaged 35/12.5/5/1.3/4.2 for the series
Magic 57 wins (infamous missed free throws) 4-0

... Pretty sure that's comfortably the highest win teams to beat all time.

94 Playoffs average- 28.9/11/4.3/1.7/4
95 Playoffs average- 33/10.3/4.5/1.2/2.8

Brah said F around and find out. It's Hakeem. He's one of the biggest Playoff risers of all time. And has the best two runs ever.

Make no mistake those centers, teams and players had great seasons themselves. 94 Ewing and a more talented Knicks, 95 Robinson especially, 95 Shaq, 94/95 Barkley and the more talented Suns, 95 Jazz Stockton/Malone. Keem said hold that I'm going to nuke everybody

Hurry up and fix your poll like 4 don't even belong there.

[JRoy]

94 Olajuwon

[DCasey91]

94 Olajuwon

It's arguable that 95 was harder, Suns and Jazz were no joke. Yes he had a better team but those series were up for grabs (but you can say that for the majority of his two runs lmao). But he also went nuts he was scoring like no one's business

[JRoy]

94 Olajuwon

It's arguable that 95 was harder, Suns and Jazz were no joke. Yes he had a better team but those series were up for grabs (but you can say that for the majority of his two runs lmao). But he also went nuts he was scoring like no one's business

He was a monster on both ends in 95 too.

Some of the guys in the poll are offense only and neutral at best on the other end.

[JujitsuFlip]

Personally the two year 2014-2016 Lebron Cavs run is my most impressive. The combination of dragging the 2015 Cavs through a competitive series with the Warriors with Dellavadova and Mozgov being the two next best players and coming back from down 3-1 is an incredible stretch of basketball.

That 2015 Finals was wild. To be down 3 starters and still be up 2-1, they shoulda gave him FMVP.

He will never get enough credit for the 2007, 2015, and 2018 Finals runs.

[srhcan]

I couldnt find this topic in the search, and since we discussed this in a different thread. I like to consider those rings special where these conditions were met:
- one superstar with little help
- had to overcome extremely strong competition

In my personal opinion those titles carry more weight than a title won on a team with multiple superstars, all stars, all NBA player and so on. They are the result of an individual excelling through out four series and overcoming the odds. Those champions impress me persnoally more more than rings won by a well orchestrated team (Spurs), even more than a super talented team (2015 Warriors, Shaq/Kobe, MJ Bulls) and certainly a lot more than those won on a superteam (Miami superfriends, Cleveland 2016, Warriors 2017 and 2018, Lakers 2020).

Also i only want to list those seasons that i personally watched live, so bear with me if i forgot someone. Also didnt want to make the lst too big so only considered title runs, not finals - in which case i woudl have included Iversons heroics as well as LeBrons heroics from his original Cleveland stint.

2024 Celtics should be included in the list of superteams.

[DCasey91]

Personally the two year 2014-2016 Lebron Cavs run is my most impressive. The combination of dragging the 2015 Cavs through a competitive series with the Warriors with Dellavadova and Mozgov being the two next best players and coming back from down 3-1 is an incredible stretch of basketball.

That 2015 Finals was wild. To be down 3 starters and still be up 2-1, they shoulda gave him FMVP.

He will never get enough credit for the 2007, 2015, and 2018 Finals runs.

I know people crap on the East especially later on which is fair to a little extent. But defensively there was really really good teams.

If Sab and Turner were a year or two older he would have been knocked out the first round. We just are numb to what he can do like every year lol.

[Special_Puppy]

You could define most impressive as
-The best statistically and analytically
-Facing the Toughest Competition
-Having the Weakest Supporting Cast

Answer will depend on what criteria you use

[NZB2323]

94 Olajuwon

It's arguable that 95 was harder, Suns and Jazz were no joke. Yes he had a better team but those series were up for grabs (but you can say that for the majority of his two runs lmao). But he also went nuts he was scoring like no one's business

He also beat the Suns and Jazz in 94 and he did that without Drexler, and Cassell was a rookie that year.

[JRoy]

94 Olajuwon

It's arguable that 95 was harder, Suns and Jazz were no joke. Yes he had a better team but those series were up for grabs (but you can say that for the majority of his two runs lmao). But he also went nuts he was scoring like no one's business

He also beat the Suns and Jazz in 94 and he did that without Drexler, and Cassell was a rookie that year.

Wasn’t Horry a rookie that year too?

[DCasey91]

94 Olajuwon

It's arguable that 95 was harder, Suns and Jazz were no joke. Yes he had a better team but those series were up for grabs (but you can say that for the majority of his two runs lmao). But he also went nuts he was scoring like no one's business

He also beat the Suns and Jazz in 94 and he did that without Drexler, and Cassell was a rookie that year.

Yes but he even went crazier in 95 because they had no choice. I mean a 60 win Jazz team first up and being down on facing elimination is wild.

Any of the 4 series during those years could have gone way differently. Keem was a damn monster

[TheGOATRises007]

In terms of narrative, 2011 Dirk.

Performance wise, probably 2003 Duncan or 95 Hakeem.

[NZB2323]

It's arguable that 95 was harder, Suns and Jazz were no joke. Yes he had a better team but those series were up for grabs (but you can say that for the majority of his two runs lmao). But he also went nuts he was scoring like no one's business

He also beat the Suns and Jazz in 94 and he did that without Drexler, and Cassell was a rookie that year.

Wasn’t Horry a rookie that year too?

1993 was his rookie year.

[Clav]

Dirk was awesome, Duncan 03 -- Hakeem in both of his were super impressive. Before that I'm getting a bit too young to comment effectively.

I'd have voted for Hakeem had he been listed but Dirk since he wasn't

[Kiss of Death]

1995 Olajuwon.

[Bornstellar]

2003 Duncan. Absolutely carried them on both ends of the court. Obliterated the threepeat Lakers and sent them home crying (literally) and should have been given credit for the only quadruple double in Finals history. His best teammates were 19 year old TP, rookie Manu, and last legs Robinson. He was an absolute beast that season