More Impressive Hakeem Title Run: 1994 or 1995

[Djoker]

Which one do you find more impressive?

People usually go with 1995 because of big scoring numbers and duels with Robinson and Shaq but there is IMO a good case for 1994 Hakeem because he was better on defense.

[AEnigma]

1995 is the tougher path, 1994 is the tougher roster circumstance. I think he was better and — outside of the Spurs series — more individually impressive in 1994, but in terms of how unlikely it felt for him to win a title, it probably has to be 1995 going on the road against a 60-win team led by an in-his-prime future MVP, a 59-win team led by an in-his-prime recent MVP, a 60-win team led by that year’s MVP, and a 57-win conference champion / 1-seed led by an in-his-prime future MVP and champion.

[Owly]

Which one do you find more impressive?

People usually go with 1995 because of big scoring numbers and duels with Robinson and Shaq but there is IMO a good case for 1994 Hakeem because he was better on defense.

As far as playoffs only which I read as the focus here...

1994's box aggregate numbers, varying quite a bit with the metric, trend substantially better in 1994.
Opponents differ. Non-box stuff matters (though big picture the anecdotal read more generally seems to go for him as a stronger defender in 1994, which if true of the playoffs would only open the gap further).

[Special_Puppy]

One thing that sticks out to me is how much box score metrics love Robert Horry during these title runs

Hakeem in his 1994 Run
RAPTOR: +6.8
Basketball Reference BPM: +8.5
Thinking Basketball BPM: +8

Horry during the 1994 Run:
RAPTOR +5.7
BR BPM: +5
TB BPM: +5.3

Hakeem in his 1995 Run:
RAPTOR: +4.3
BR BPM: +5.4
TB BPM: +6.8

Horry during the 1995 Run:
RAPTOR: +4.7
BR BPM: +4.6
TB BPM: +5.6

Its so bizarre because his surface level stats aren't that impressive.

Also shows that Hakeem was individually more impressive during his 1994 run than his 1995 run. Even if the 1995 run is one of the most magical title runs ever.

[Owly]

One thing that sticks out to me is how much box score metrics love Robert Horry during these title runs

Hakeem in his 1994 Run
RAPTOR: +6.8
Basketball Reference BPM: +8.5
Thinking Basketball BPM: +8

Horry during the 1994 Run:
RAPTOR +5.7
BR BPM: +5
TB BPM: +5.3

Hakeem in his 1995 Run:
RAPTOR: +4.3
BR BPM: +5.4
TB BPM: +6.8

Horry during the 1995 Run:
RAPTOR: +4.7
BR BPM: +4.6
TB BPM: +5.6

Its so bizarre because his surface level stats aren't that impressive.

Also shows that Hakeem was individually more impressive during his 1994 run than his 1995 run. Even if the 1995 run is one of the most magical title runs ever.

Mileage will differ depending on the specific stat ...

but, looking into it, if you take RS as the baseline Horry (on average over the two years) ...

improves turnover efficiency: (TOV% 16.0 to 9.6)
improves scoring efficiency: (TS% .536 to .566) including getting to the line more (FTr .218 to .297)
ups spacing: (3PAr .293 to .457)

whilst holding other stuff broadly constant (offensive rebounding [actually slightly up -which given 3pt attempts is up ...], assists, usage) - and done at a higher level of average opponent competition.

There's also a small increase on the defensive glass though the box defense stuff (steals, blocks) are marginally down.

Overall it's not visible or exciting in the way a scoring boost would be - and again mileage will differ with the metric - but you can get an idea of where his offense is popping a bit more for some measures.