<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Villanueva aims to show Raptors what they're missing MICHAEL GRANGE Globe and Mail Update Toronto ? It's not just another game for Charlie Villanueva. The former Toronto Raptor returns to the Air Canada Centre as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks and makes no bones that he'd like to make an impression on his former team. "Every time you play your old team, you want to have one of your best games," said Villanueva, who was traded to Milwaukee in return for point guard T.J. Ford in the summer. "You want to prove to them what they're missing. That's exactly what I want to do tonight." Unlike other former Raptors who get a rude reception at the ACC, Villaneuva, a crowd favourite last year in which he earned NBA all-rookie first team honours, expects a friendly reception. "I didn't leave on bad terms," said Villanueva, who plans to continue his busy schedule of community work in his new home. "When I was here, I didn't want to leave, but I understand it's a business, I understand that now. I'm happy to be in Milwaukee." He's part of an up-and-coming Bucks team in which only one player in their core group has more than six years NBA experience. Teamed alongside second-year centre Andrew Bogut, the Bucks hope Villanueva can use his range of offensive skills from the power forward spot. "I actually got plays run for me now," he says. "I'm a big part of the offence. The ball comes to me and coach puts me in position where I'm the decision maker, the playmaker, and I like that." Villanueva hasn't been shy about getting his shots to the rim either. He was six-of-21 in the Bucks win over Detroit on Wednesday. Combined with his last two pre-season outings, Villanueva is 18-of-51 from the floor. It's a pace reminiscent of his former Raptor teammate, Mike James, who signed a free-agent deal with the Minnesota Timberwolves in the summer. "Mike James is going to be a better situation," said Villanueva. "He's not going to do what he did here, jack up every shot. ... I know KG ain't going to have that. " It was James's pending departure that encouraged the Raptors to look to the trade market for a new point guard, and Villanueva was the price to bring Ford. For his part, Ford is excited to play his old team as well, but he's determined not to let the emotion get the better of him. "I want to come out and play the best that I can play every night," said Ford, who had 19 points and seven assists in the Raptors loss to New Jersey on Wednesday. "It's nothing personal against the Milwaukee Bucks. It's still the game of basketball. I want to come out and play it the right way. It's nothing personal; I'm not going to be doing things out of my character. The main important thing is to come out and play team basketball and come out with the win."</div> Link I love the quote about Mike James jacking up every shot. I expect charlie to have a big game tonight like 25 and 12 maybe...still think the raptors could have got more for him...but i loved tj game against the nets in the opener.
I'm pretty sure TJ is out to prove the same thing against Milwaukee as well. I hopoe Charlie has a good game but in the end, TJ Ford shines through. And I love the quote about James.
^Yeah, both players won't be able to guard each other. Charlie can take Bosh on the perimeter while Bosh can take Charlie in the post. You still have to wonder about Charlie though. He was motivated all season last year and was terrfic.
I'd rather put Bargnani or Garbajosa on Villanueva. If Bosh isn't fully recovered yet, he'll get owned defensively.
fyi-i just caught a pre game interview with charlie where norma wicke talked about charlie's girlfriend being canadian.
Charlie is putting up all-star numbers so far with 19 and 11 in 30 minutes. It would be a kick in the nuts if he made the all-star team this year. I think it's a distinct possibility too with his role on Milwaukee. His rebounding has gotten much better and he has the motivation this year.
This biggest thing for me is his rebounding. We all knew he could score, but 10.8 RPG, wow, that's impressive.
