Charlie Villanueva

by Spanky731 on Jun 29, 2009 7:11 PM EDT Comment 18 comments

The bucks have chosen not to tender the guy despite the fact that he had a break-out season. He was 3rd in scoring and 2nd in rebounding for the Bucks last year, so it's clear that he can contribute right away.

Why would we sign him?

I think he would be one of two front-court additions that we need to make. He is not the ideal, low block player that we covet but his all around game would provide excellent depth behind Antwan. He is a huge upgrade over Andray "no-heart" blatche. We would sign charlie to push Blatche out of DC.

I work with a reporter who played on the same team as Andray for big tigger charity game a few weeks back. Word from him (as well as other guys on the team ex. Fred Smoot, Rudy Gay), and another former espn broadcaster I work with, who is friends with EG, is that AB is a bum who doesn't care about getting better because he already got paid.

What he brings?

An inside outside presence that is comparable to Jamison's. He might not be as smart as AJ on the court, but he is certainly much more athletic and with his long wingspan would provide us with another swatter around the rim. He improved on his outside game a lot last year, by showing an increase in percentage with the extra attempts. But he also brings a suprisingly polished inside game as well. He has an incredibly soft touch for a guy his size, but he can also lower his shoulder and bang inside.

Conclusion

If they opted to go for a talented front court guy like him, we would need a ruffin/etan thomas type of player to come in for the sole purpose of being a junk yard dog in the paint. The reason I think CV would be a good fit is that he would give us immediate assistance in a position that has no depth, but he also gives us a potential star for the future. The dude is 24 years old, averaged over 16 points a game last year. Jamison is still the man but it's naive to think he can play at this level for two or three more seasons. Bring CV in to play behind him for a couple then insert him when the time comes.

Here is a great video of him from last season that I found on

This represents the view of the user who wrote the FanPost, and not the entire Bullets Forever community. We're a place of many opinions, not just one.

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I would love Villanueva for the Wiz

I just wonder if we could afford him. It would pretty much be a sign we’ve given up on Blatche (which I’m not that opposed to doing) but that doesn’t help our depth up front.

I don’t know how that works when a player has opted to not sign, does that mean it’s up to the suitor team to just offer a monetary value or can they deal with the team looking to deal him.

Maybe Caron can pull some UConn strings and convince the dude to settle for a Stevenson-like deal for a year. Hey, it’s almost July and it’s wishful thinking.

by Natepyatt on Jun 29, 2009 9:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm pretty sure he's a UFA

If a guy declines his player option for the final year of his contract, then he becomes an unrestricted free agent. He should now be open to sign with any team he wishes without the need of compensation to his previous team.

by Spanky731 on Jun 29, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dont Get ahead of yourself...

The only thing that shows from the bucks not making an offer to villenuva, is that the cavs varejao will be available because the cavs are pretty interested in villenuva and it seems mutual at least according to his twitter

by gilbachi on Jun 29, 2009 10:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If your the cavs wouldn't you have to chose?

I’m not really that familiar with their cap situation but would they be willing to resign verajao and snag villavueva? Anderson is obviouslly more important to them because he’s their energy player on the floor. The guy who will take the fouls and do what it takes without needing the ball in his hands. I don’t see them letting him walk.

If they get them both, then that’s just bs. I understand wanting to win a championship but I think pride would kick in a little bit. I wouldn’t be all that proud of having an adam morrison-like impact on the team. Who ever doesn’t sign there will hopefully see an important slot available on our team who will also hopefully be in contention, assuming we want both or either of them.

by Spanky731 on Jun 29, 2009 10:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i bet after this upcoming season is over alot of the anti Blatche fan will jump on his N%TS
just like all the anti Brendan fans did

by eltacoman on Jun 29, 2009 10:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I hope your right bro

but if Andre Blatche, 4 seasons into his career, struggles to get minutes on a team who was the worst in their conference, i’m not going to hold my breath for him to break out next year when we’re actually competing. Maybe the better play around him will help him elevate his game, but even then I think that proves that he’s a role player at best.

Put it this way, Andray blatche in his career will not replicate what CV did last season. I don’t see him making that jump from a 12 point 7 rebound role player to a full time starter. At least not in DC.

by Spanky731 on Jun 29, 2009 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The only time Blatche struggled to get minutes was when he was injured. He averaged 24 minutes and started 36 of the 71 games he played.

by MR on Jun 29, 2009 11:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Break out year? Why?

I don’t count his first season, since he was injured (shot) and only played in 29 games averaging 6 minutes.

But if I look at the next three seasons, Blatche has shown slow, but steady progress. His minutes have increased from 12, to 20 to 24; while his per 40 minute scoring has gone from 12 to 14.8 to 16.7. His Turn Over ratio has steadily declined, from 16.0 to 13.9 to 12.5 last year. He has a League Average 15.02 PER. Not too shabby for a player in a back-up role.

Using those modest increases as a benchmark, this year Blatche should play around 28 minutes and average around 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1.5 blocks – all while shooting around 49% from the field and 70% from the Free Throw line. That kind of production for $3 Million dollars is a huge bargain.

So if Blatche doesn’t have a "break out" year – but instead only improves the little bit he’s been improving each year – I’ll be perfectly happy with that.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jun 30, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just read that again

28 minutes, 6 rebounds.

there’s a reason we are desperate for rebounding and it ain’t on Antawn. Our backup C is getting out rebounded by Crystal Langhorne.

by Jheiser3 on Jun 30, 2009 9:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

in his defense

Blatche really isn’t cut out for the center position. I actually think his skillset translates more naturally to the small forward spot. We just can’t afford to play him there due of our lack of size. So yes, while he should definitely have a much better rebounding average, he is routinely matched up against players much stronger than he is. If he were to play small forward, or even more power forward, I believe his rebounding numbers would jump. And the teams numbers would definitely jump.

by CJHutch on Jun 30, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He has to go against stronger players because of his work ethic in the weight room. No other reason he can’t play stronger. I can’t give him a pass there.

He came from HS and doesn’t seem to get that he will be far more effective if his arms look more proportional to his body? Yes, he’s a much more natural face up 4. Part of paying that position is defending it. I don’t think his numbers jump just by being the biggest kid in the playground either. rebounds are a measure of effort, sheer will, and some smarts. He hasn’t shown even the effort. This is why I pitched deal after deal with him as the centerpiece. This is who he is. he isn’t coming back into camp as an ace rebounder. he’s not suddenly going to be a leader or suddenly become the responsible guy. That’s just more off season wishful thinking.

I looked up a comparison after reading that description and I think it fits: Cliff Robinson That seems to be AB’s ceiling.

by Jheiser3 on Jun 30, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cliff Robinson was a very good player though

You know you'll get devoured by Cheaney, Wallace, and Juwan Howard.

by Mike Prada on Jun 30, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

To pick up a player that compares to Cliff Robinson

in the 2nd round – and then to lock him up at $3 Million a year – is almost as big a steal as Gasol for Kwame.

Bullets Forever - where "Dagger ! " happens......

by Rook6980 on Jun 30, 2009 5:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not Really

Gasol is all star caliber and has put teams on his back into the playoffs. Cliff Robinson was, at his peak 6th man of the year. Cliff was picked in the second round too btw.

The main issue is that this team doesn’t need more Cliff Robinson’s. We need him to play like he’s 6’11, even 6’9 might do, instead of a big 2 guard.

by Jheiser3 on Jun 30, 2009 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

his work ethic sucks. And I don’t think he’ll ever be a rebounding machine. He’s just not naturally aggressive. But there are rebounds to be had just by being longer than the guys around you. You’re right, rebounding is about effort as much as it is about size. But size helps. When I say his and/or the teams numbers would go up if he was at SF, I meant with another one or two 7 footers out there as well. Personally, I’d like to see an occasional front court line-up of Blatche, McGee, AND Haywood. In that scenario, if we weren’t outrebounding the other team, then all three guys should be traded.

As for Blatche’s “ceiling”, there’s two ways to go with that. If you go by potential, I think his ceiling is a bit higher than Cliff Robinson (who was actually a pretty damned good player for many years). However, if you go by what he’s shown so far, then you’re right on.

by CJHutch on Jun 30, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

6 rebounds in almost 30 minutes?

not cutting it for me. He is a over sized SF

by Spanky731 on Jun 30, 2009 8:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do the Math

Charlie Villanueva averages 8.9 rebounds per 36 minutes. Since when is that a bad thing? Compare that against our three best rebounders:

JaVale McGee – 9.3 rebounds per 36 minutes
Brendan Haywood – 9.1 rebounds per 36 minutes
Charlie Villanueva – 8.9 rebounds per 36 minutes
Antawn Jamison – 8.4 rebounds per 36 minutes

Tell me, are all of those guys over-sized SFs?

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jun 30, 2009 11:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude, My Bad

I just realized you were talking about Blatche, not Villanueva. Geez, talk about thread creep and my poor reading comprehension. Andray Blatche averaged only 8.0 rebounds per 36 minutes, not that great for a center. You’re right, he needs to step up his rebounding or find a new position.

"It's OK for the Bullets to trade baskets, as long as they can score on their end." -- Words of wisdom from Phil Chenier

by cuppettcj on Jun 30, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs