The Players Tribune: Blocked, by Hakim Warrick

[OrangeXtreme]

Behind every triumph and heartbreak in the NCAA tournament, there’s a story. The Players’ Tribune presents Tales of Madness, a series of first-person accounts from iconic basketball players who recall their most memorable tournament experiences. In this installment, Syracuse’s Hakim Warrick recalls the 2003 National Championship Game...

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/ncaa-tournament-march-madness-syracuse-hakim-warrick/

 

[Cheriehoop]

Great article!

 

[CusefanATL]

Dont mean to nitpick, but there is some serious editing that could have helped:

I try not to think about what would have happened if we lost that game because of those missed free throws. In fact, the last time Syracuse and Coach Boeheim were in the national championship game back in 1987, it was on that same court at the Superdome in New Orleans. With a one-point lead and less than 30 seconds left, Syracuse’s Derrick Coleman missed the front end of a one-and-one, and Indiana pushed the ball down the court to Keith Smart, who hit a long two from the corner with one second left to win it.

 

[CusefanATL]

all nitpicking aside, he ended it with the perfect line.

I’ll never forget that block, but what I’ll always remember is the response when we returned to Syracuse and what it meant that that community. That’ll be my lasting memory.

 

[jekelish]

Oh man, Hak getting featured on The Players' Tribune? Very well done, Hak. That's pretty big time.

 

[OttoMets]

Good read.

No one ever mentions what a bold move Boeheim made in going with that weird defensive lineup at the end. Edelin and Pace looked frantic up top and Kueth got caught when Billy couldn't get through that tremendous block by #33 (sorry, by "block" I meant "legal screen").

Glad we had Superman down there on the block.

 

[CaptainJ]

That was a great read, and I liked how he said the block wasn't even the most memorable moment of the game for him. Grinned as I pictured them going out to get liquored up on Bourbon street, and being shocked by the flash mob and having to evade capture by taking immediate cover in their bunker. They actually sound like quite a humble bunch!

 

[CaptainJ]

Oh man, Hak getting featured on The Players' Tribune? Very well done, Hak. That's pretty big time.

Bigger than OG?

 

[Toga]

I've said it before but when you watch it, he appears to accelerate while in mid-air. Thanks Hakim.

 

[jekelish]

Bigger than OG?

Well considering the Players' Tribune is run by Derek Jeter...

No, obviously not bigger than OG.

 

[CaptainJ]

Well considering the Players' Tribune is run by Derek Jeter...

No, obviously not bigger than OG.

Yeah, but what portion of it does that owner write, you know? Seriously, I am unfamiliar. Does he actively contribute?

 

[STEVEHOLT]

Dont mean to nitpick, but there is some serious editing that could have helped:

I try not to think about what would have happened if we lost that game because of those missed free throws. In fact, the last time Syracuse and Coach Boeheim were in the national championship game back in 1987, it was on that same court at the Superdome in New Orleans. With a one-point lead and less than 30 seconds left, Syracuse’s Derrick Coleman missed the front end of a one-and-one, and Indiana pushed the ball down the court to Keith Smart, who hit a long two from the corner with one second left to win it.

Actually, he hit the shot with four seconds left and even though we had a timeout, nobody called it until three more seconds had passed. That is the single most important game detail that people seem to forget about that game. It should have been US with the last second game winning shot.

 

[CusefanATL]

Actually, he hit the shot with four seconds left and even though we had a timeout, nobody called it until three more seconds had passed. That is the single most important game detail that people seem to forget about that game. It should have been US with the last second game winning shot.

AND that wasn't the last time Syracuse and Boeheim were in the the national championship.

 

[TexanMark]

And Cuse also had a 3 point lead in the last minute with our guy going to the line for a 1 n 1. Under present rules we would've been in the double bonus and the clock would've stopped after the made basket...lots of variables.

 

[sufandu]

I hadn't realized he was playing the 5 on that play. How does he block it to Lee's left and land on his right? Go go gadget arms was fun to watch.

 

[IthacaMatt]

Actually, he hit the shot with four seconds left and even though we had a timeout, nobody called it until three more seconds had passed. That is the single most important game detail that people seem to forget about that game. It should have been US with the last second game winning shot.

A rule change was made shortly afterwards that the clock stops when the ball goes through the basket in the final minute or two minutes.

 

[RF2044]

Actually, he hit the shot with four seconds left and even though we had a timeout, nobody called it until three more seconds had passed. That is the single most important game detail that people seem to forget about that game. It should have been US with the last second game winning shot.

Correct. They seemed shell shocked. And another detail that pisses me off is after the Smart shot went through, Rony Seikaly caught it after it went through the net, but Steve Alford punched it out of his hands out of bounds. The players just stood around watching it roll out of bounds. Not sure what the rules were back then, whether they thought the clock would stop, or whether they were just stunned and couldn't think to call the timeout.

But whatever the reason, what a killer. 2003 didn't fully exorcise that demon for me, but it made it a BIT easier to swallow.

 

[RF2044]

That article was awesome, by the way!

Very well written by Hakim.

 

[KellySyracuse]

"I’ll never forget that block, but what I’ll always remember is the response when we returned to Syracuse and what it meant that that community. That’ll be my lasting memory."

After the past two seasons of Syracuse athletics really being a let down having read this on Derek Jeter's website The Player's Tribune reminds me why I love SU sports so much. As a die hard Orange fan since about 1972, the heart breaks of 1987 and 1996 were mended by The Block. Thank You Hakim Warrick.

http://www.theplayerstribune.com/ncaa-tournament-march-madness-syracuse-hakim-warrick/

 

[Rocco]

Dear Hakim,

We love you.

Warm regards,

Every Syracuse fan ever