Hakim Warrick Brings His Athleticism to the Milwaukee Bucks

The Milwaukee Bucks signed power forward Hakim Warrick to a one-year contract last Friday. 

The 27-year old Warrick was the 19th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft by Memphis, and spent his first four seasons in the league with the Grizzlies.

Warrick stands 6-9, 219lbs and has career averages of 10.2 ppg and 4.3 rpg in 307 games. He is a career 50 percent shooter from the field and shoots 72.5 percent from the free throw line. 

Last season, Warrick averaged 11.6 points and 5.0 rebounds in 24.7 minutes per game. He appeared in all 82 games, for the second time in his career, and only started seven games.

2005-06: 68 g, 44.3 FG, 66.1 FT, 14.1 ppg, 2.1 rpg, .3 bpg, 10.4 mpg

2006-07: 82 g, 52.4 FG, 77.1 FT, 12.7 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .9 apg,.4 bpg, 26.1 mpg

2007-08: 75 g, 50.2 FG, 70.4 FT, 11.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, .7 apg, .5 bpg, 23.2 mpg

2008-09: 82 g, 49.1 FG, 72.5 FT, 10.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg, .7 apg, .4 bpg, 21.4 mpg

Warrick played four seasons at Syracuse University (2001-05), and as a sophomore started in all 35 games for the NCAA Champion Orange in 2003.

At Syracuse, Warrick played 135 games, and averaged 31 mpg, 15.4 ppg, 7.6 rpg, 1.5 apg, .9 spg and .9 bpg. He shot 53.6 percent fom the field and 65.9 percent from the free throw line.

As a senior, he was named First Team All-America by the Associated Press, awarded Big East Conference Player of the Year and named First Team All-Big East by averaging 21.4 ppg, 8.6 rpg and shooting 55 percent from the field. He also finished his degree in three and a half years.

He finished his career with the Orange ranking second all-time in free throws made (529) and attempted (803). He is third all-time by scoring double figures in 61 consecutive games. Warrick ranks fourth in points (2,073) and rebounds (1,025).

This move from Memphis to Milwaukee will give the Bucks a true power forward offense, rather than having Charlie Villanueva think "three" first.

It also give Milwaukee an excellent shot blocker on a defense that is non-existent. Warrick's numbers may not look like a shot blockers, but all you have to do is take a look back at the 2003 National Championship game to see what he can do. That 7-1 wingspan will disrupt a lot of shots.

I have a feeling that Scott Skiles will make Warrick the starter at the four, considering the only competition seems to be newly acquired Amir Johnson.

The biggest positive out of Warrick is his shear athleticism. He is quick and can jump over anyone who may come in his path. 

Warrick is one of the best dunkers in the league, and Bucks radio announcer Ted Davis should be calling plenty of "shot clock-shakers", "rim-rockers" and "ceiling-scappers". 

Bucks fans should think of Warrick as just a taller Desmond Mason, but with a better post-up game.

If Warrick sees 30 minutes a game this season with the Bucks, it will definitely be a career year for him.