Hakim Warrick, this is my life
Hakim Warrick spoke to olympiacosbc.gr about his life, his career and the big goal he has ahead of him. He is a great player, who's had a seasoned NBA career and has donned Olympiacos' jersey since February 2016. Hakim Warrick spoke to olympiacosbc.gr for his life, his career and the big goal he has tackle with the 'reds'.
When did you understand that basketball is what you like better than anything else?
«The truth is that my father, my mother and one of my closest cousins were playing basketball. And to spite them, I was saying I wanted to be playing football. Finally, though, I chose basketball, because I was growing up I was getting taller all the time and my body helped me play basketball. I knew I was going to be playing basketball at about the age of 8 or 10».
What was your childhood like?
«I had a nice childhood. I grew up in Philadelphia, in a not so easy neighborhood. Guns, drugs, robberies, but I was away from all of that. I was only dealing with how I was going to play; we were usually playing basketball and spent many hours at the gym».
Was there a time that you were scared or that you were at the wrong place at the wrong time?
«Exactly, I did find myself at the wrong place at the wrong time. With a friend of mine we had just finished practice, I was 13 at the time and I remember we were getting outside the gym. We suddenly heard gunshots and realized that a robbery was taking place at the opposite side of the street. We froze and seconds later the police was there. Policemen saw us and thought we were suspects, so they turned their guns against us and told us to freeze. Which was exactly what we had already done (laughing). I couldn't believe what was going on; they were thinking we were the suspected robbers since no one else was around at the time. They put us in the police car and fortunately when we were about to leave for the station, our coach got out of the gym and explained that we had nothing to do with what had happened and that we were there because we were practicing. That's what we were telling them also, but they wouldn't believe us. But anyway, all was good at the end».
What was your big dream as a kid?
«Play in the NBA. I was crazy about it. I was a great fan of Penny Hardaway and when I was playing with my friends I pretended to be him. With my friends, we would pretend that we were getting drafted. We would get together in our homes and organized draft nights. We would put on the hats that we were supposedly were to put on when drafted and made statements (laughing)».
Finally, though, the dream became a reality. Isn't it so? After four years at Syracuse.
«Exactly. I chose Syracuse, because the coach had been there for more than 20 years and I knew he was never going to change, no matter what. So I chose to go there to be sure that I would be having the same coach for four years».
And you experienced a unique feeling in your second season winning the championship…
«Right. We won the championship in my second season there. I was young at the time, I wouldn't know how big what we had done was. I now realize how special this was. Now that the years have gone by and I understand how difficult for anyone to do something like that is, it is now that I am more appreciative of it all».
You were the protagonist of the game in the last 20'', isn't it so?
«That's the case, I missed two free throws with the score being 81-78 and I couldn't believe it. Kansas had the last offensive play, they moved the ball and there was a player alone at the corner since one of my team mates had switched. I was under the basket, I desperately ran in order to just use my body so as to prevent my opponent from shooting and not make a foul at the same time, but I eventually blocked the ball. Then with 1,5'' to the end, I tried for second block, I made the case for my opponent to shoot very difficult and the game was over. And then it was nuts. I remember running around like crazy and was hugging anyone in my way, while I was trying to find my mother who I found some time later and got to hug. It's a really special moment in my».
And then it was draft night and you were the No 19 pick. Was that night as you had expected it?
«Ok, just being there was a dream come true, I was exhilarated. Going there, I thought I would be somewhere between 7 and 16, but the draft evolved kind of bizzare. Players that no one expected got picked higher and others lower. I was really nervous until I heard my name at No 19 called by Memphis».
So you started living the dream from next season.
«Indeed, we made the play-offs in my rookie season and learned a lot by veterans. I found myself next to Stoudamire, Miller and Jones. Pau Gasol got injured in my second year and I got to play a lot more, it was one of the best seasons of my career. That season gave me the confidence to think that I was going to make it in the NBA. I was a free agent after four years and signed with Milwaukee, they then traded me to Chicago, but I signed with Phoenix at the end. I got to play with Steve Nash and Grant Hill there, they were good years. Statistically wise, my best season was at Memphis, but Phoenix was my best experience. I then joined New Orleans and Charlotte. I never got adjusted in these two teams and then I had a lot of offers overseas. So, I chose to go to China. It was difficult going there, I had to adjust to new circumstances and a new way of life and everything was difficult. Daily life was totally different to what I was used to. Next season I joined Konia Sport in the middle of the season, I stayed there for four months and played some very big games against great opponents. October 2015 I went to Australia, to Melbourne United. Things were a lot easier for me there because they are very similar to the US. Much easier than in China or in Turkey, I got adjusted real easily and had a great season. There the season ends early and I had the chance to play for the D-League, but I chose Olympiacos so as to have the chance to play at the highest level. I was really excited when I learned about Olympiacos' offer».
So it was easy for you to say yes to Olympiacos?
«Of course. When I was notified about Olympiacos being interested in me, I immediately contacted three good friends of mine who I trust and had played for Olympiacos. I talked with Lin Greer, Josh Childress and Mardy Collins and they made it easy for me, really easy. All three of them had only the best things to say about Olympiacos and Greece. And now, I see all they talked to me about. I live in a beautiful city and in a beautiful country in general. I came at a very critical moment in the season, it wasn't easy, but I tried and everyone helped me to adjust. The players, the staff and the coach, they all were by my side from minute one. They really made me fell very nice and that's when I knew why everyone has only good things to say about Olympiacos and consider the team among the greatest clubs in the world. Unfortunately, we did not make it with the Euroleague. We tried hard, but we didn't make it. We are now moving forward. I have come to understand how important the Greek League title is».
What made you realize that?
«How much the fans want it. From the moment we were disqualified from the Euroleague play-offs, every time I get to randomly meet a team fan on the street, they all tell me the same thing. We want the title. I know it's very important for the club as well, since they have won that three times in the last 19 years. I know very well how much everyone in the team wants it and believe me, it's what I want too. I'll do whatever I can to help the team win it. By we need to take it step by step. We now play against AEK, a team that has shown stability and improvement throughout the season. I have played a game in their home court as well and it took us to take the extra mile to take it to overtime and win. So, nobody should be thinking that it's going to be easy. On the contrary. That's why I'm calling all our fans to be by our side in the first two games of the series. We need our fans to support us the same way they were doing it for the Euroleague games and they were of great help».