author: Horace Pindoon
document classification: HWRI-EXP-YJB8-XC1T-T49T-WSM5-T9IL
document type: Explainer
publication date: 2026-04-21
clearance: Public Release
Explainer
HCR, in one page
The Hardwoodist Composite Rating.
HCR — the Hardwoodist Composite Rating — is the site's single-number answer to "how good was this player-season?"
The HCR is a living, work-in-progress number. We have a target of Q3 2057 for finalization.
What it's not
HCR is not a value metric. It is not designed to argue with RAPTOR, EPM, or LEBRON. It is a description of a season's shape, not a ranking of it. Although it is also a ranking of it.
What it is
A blend of box-score production, on-court impact, and style fingerprint — tuned so that players whose game looks similar get similar scores, not so that "better" players always get higher ones.
Sign up to receive information on experiments, features, releases, and other news from the Institute. No spam. Cancel any time.