Was Charlie Villanueva’s 48 Point Rookie Game More Curse Than Blessing?
“I’ve been in that kind of zone before, but to do it on this level feels great.”
I don’t know if too many of you remember Charlie V’s rookie season. It was a very solid one. He averaged 13.0 points and 6.4 rebounds in 81 games. He finished second among rookies in points and rebounds, and third in minutes and blocked shots which earned him a spot in the All Rookie Team. Charlie Villanueva also set the Raptors’ rookie records for points (48) and rebounds (18) in a game. 48? Yes, 48! In a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, who traded for him the next season, Villanueva made 20-of-32 shots, including 6-of-11 3-pointers. The Raptors lost the game, Michael Redd scored 35 for the Bucks (Redd is one of the most underappreciated players READ WHY!), but Charlie V made a statement. And here is where the curse of the 48-point game comes into play. When you show that much ability as a rookie, fans, coaches and front office folk are going to expect a lot. They want to see steady improvement. They want to see consistency. They want to see a player realize the potential displayed while still green to the NBA. There is a pressure to perform. And under this pressure, Villanueva crumbled (see quote).
“As a Buck, he was a cloud. Drifting on the offensive end, occasionally striking, and completely dissipating when it came time to play defense. To his credit, when Villanueva wanted to score, it seemed like he could.
And here is where the curse of the 48 point game comes into play. When you show that much ability as a rookie, fans, coaches and front office folk are going to expect a lot. They want to see steady improvement. They want to see consistency. They want to see a player realize the potential displayed while still green to the NBA. There is a pressure to perform. And under this pressure, Villanueva crumbled.”
-Josh Hilgendorf (True Hoop)
Charlie V was never able to reproduce such game. Yes, he had games with scoring outbursts, but he never had another 48-Point game. Villanueva has always been a great player on offense BUT his rebounding and defense make him too much of a liability to be a starter for most teams past and present. Don’t get me wrong, he is having a great career, just not as great as one would have thought, after watching him play that night.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x26utb_charlie-villanueva-poured-in-48-poi_sport
