After 2 games, people seem ready to trade Charlie Villanueva or call the CV signing another Joe Dumars' blunder. I think Villanueva will be okay. First of all, the guy had a hamstring injury that sidelined him nearly the entire preseason. He did manage to play the last 3 preseason games, but it will take a while for him to gel with his new teammates. Secondly, CV was not brought in to shore up the Pistons defense. He is a scorer first and his defense is an area that Detroit hopes will improve. Last season with the Bucks, Charlie put up these numbers: 16.2 ppg 44.7%) 1.1 3ptr (34.5%) 2.6 FT (83.8%) 6.7 reb 1.8 ass 0.6 stl 0.7 blk These stats were put up in less than 27 minutes per game. I'll spare the 48-minutes stats, but CV will make an impact on the game when he is on the floor. The guy is only 25 years old and has some nice skills. If he can make some improvements on the defensive end, as well as become integrated with his new teammates, he could be a solid piece of the Pistons next title run. It ain't going to happen in his first 2 games, though. It's going to take some time and patience.
Charlie has not played this role on a team before. I don't think he's ever been the starting Power Forward - from the beginning of the season, he's in unchartered waters. He's got some serious offensive game, the boy has some aresenal in his repetoire fo'sho'. I just think that his game may be better suited coming off the bench, If I'm JoeD I'm not against bringing in a big time PF. I won't make the, "I'm not drafting Carmelo because we have Tayshaun Prince" mistake twice. Lastly we need to get Charlie some mins at SF, Vill is a Forward, not a power forward-because ain't nothin powerful about his game; not a small forward- because at 6'11'' he damn sho ain't small. Vill is a Forward plain and simple we have to get him into matchups where we can exploit his skills.
Me too. Good post Bill. This is why we don't block you despite the fact that 95% of what you type is pure garbage. Also, not sure because I'm basing this on fantasy basketball...but it seems to me that it takes him a month or so to really heat up?
Luckily they drafted 3 SF's this year and need to go small to get their best players on the floor so getting CV some burn at the 3 shouldn't be a problem. I would like to see him play there some though.
I think that too.. It takes time to adapt to a new role and a hole ne team.. I mean, Milwaukee isn't Detroit. Hopefully in 5 or 10 games we'll be watching a better Charlie. And I agree that he should spend some time playing the SF.
I dunno... Show us he can play a lick of defense b4 we can say he'll be just fine.... If other teams view him as soft or lacking defensive fortitude they will certainly exploit this option more than we're seeing today.
He can play a lick of defense Merc, not a big lick, or a long lick, but a lick none the less. Charlie is a decent help defender - I have seen that consistently, he's not so good as an on ball post defender, and he's a flat out joke on the P&R, but right now Kwame and Max are too-to be fair. I like his game, I really do, I think he would make the perfect backup Forward for both positions.
I think we have to keep in mind his contract which is less than half of what it would cost for a marque player. Think he is worth or will be worth his 35 mil over 5 years?
I would agree with KG that CV is a good backup SF/PF... but that's a pretty steep price for a non starter... and what would that do to the rookies.
I think CV is a starting caliber pf and is a frontcourt scorer we've been missing for years. The dude is on a five year deal i just hope the coach gives him more playing time and allow him to develop, stuck played like trash last year but still got the minutes. We need him to develop into a consistent scorer.
I am not a fan of any starting PF that can't shoot above 50% from the floor and grab at least 8 boards a game. CV is a tweener so you can't expect him to get in the paint and all of a sudden bang with the big boys and be this defense guru. That is not his game. Also CV always stayed on the injured list with the Bucks. CV is what he is. He is a scorer and nothing more. He is being asked to do a lot more which takes some time to adjust to.
He is young enough and the talent level comes cheap in his case. This guy is no tweener. If we are going to start climbing up, you will need to find flexible talent. CV can play, with adjustments that will not make him a star day-in and day-out. He can play the 5, 4 and three positions with higher productivity providing he takes a serious attitude to fit needed role playing. This means the right coach, the right system and the right sharing method. In short, he has to create a collective sense of purpose.
