Detroit Pistons Charlie Villanueva Vows Improvement, But Is It Just Lip Service?

This week, there were a couple separate articles that featured Charlie Villanueva. Both the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News put together reports that Villanueva was frustrated with his play from a year ago and has vowed to improve.

At face value, this would appear to be good news. Villanueva became the poster child for a supremely disappointing season, the likes of which Detroit had not seen in over a decade. Fans decried the signing of the offensively talented big man and called for team president Joe Dumars' head.

Villanueva became such an easy target due to several issues he had off the court with coach John Kuester as well as what appeared to be lackadaisical play, especially on the defensive end.

Most fans could forgive shooting guard Ben Gordon, who also signed during the off season and to a bigger contract; Pistons fans had seen Gordon light it up while with Chicago.

But Villanueva had been a tantalizing talent at other stops in Milwaukee and Toronto but had failed to live up to his lottery pick standing.

However, when you fully explore these articles and what Villanueva says and more importantly doesn't say, you begin to realize that the forward just doesn't get it.

Take for instance, his quote in the Detroit News. When talking about his relationship with Coach Kuester he had this to say:

"It's simple, we have to communicate," Villanueva said. "It was there, but it wasn't the way I wanted it to be. We have to talk things out. We'll have a better understanding."

He goes on to say:

"During that time, I couldn't really see it," he said. "Afterwards, you go back and see what you could've done better. I have to be stronger mentally. I want to be known as a double-double guy."

Take a look at these quotes and a couple things should jump out at you. First, the bit about communication with his coach. Coaches dictate the minutes, strategy, and schemes. It is their job to let the players know what is expected of them. It is the player's job to live up to those expectations. The only communication should be when the coach tells the player what to do and the player lets him know whether he does or doesn't understand.

The way Villanueva apparently sees it, this is a two-way street of understanding. Essentially, Charlie should be able to tell Kuester how he feels and then the coach can make it happen. Need more evidence of what Villanueva views as his right as a player? Take a look at his quote in the Free Press:

"When we get closer to training camp, I would like to sit down with (Kuester) and just share thoughts, expectations for my role, and just take it from there.”

This is a clear example of the new generation of NBA players who seemingly miss the forest due to their proximity to the tree. Kuester is your coach, he is supposed to see the big picture and put you in a position to succeed. It is your job to go out there and execute his plans and succeed. The communication probably won't be the way you want it to be, but it isn't his job to talk things out with you.

I might be nit-picking here, but it seems to me that Villanueva will be disappointed with anything less than a starting role and if he doesn't get that, he might be trouble going forward.

Next, take a look at the second quote from the Detroit News that I highlighted above. In this quote, he is talking about the two most unproductive months of the season for him, February and March, in which his numbers were the worst of his career.

He rightfully sees that it is on him and he needs to be mentally strong in order to achieve those goals. But the fact that he didn't realize he was playing poorly should send a shiver down any Pistons fan's spine. During that stretch, Charlie was a train wreck. He had missed a team flight, was outwardly disdainful towards his coach, and his play was atrocious at best.

He was averaging six points a game in the month of February and he didn't realize things were going poorly? For a player that is so committed to himself (as evidenced by his Twitter addiction), it is disturbing that he would have that kind of narcissistic detachment from his own performance.

Now, let's just focus on what it would take for Villanueva to claim the starting power forward spot. If you look around the league and compare his salary with other players that play his position, one stat in particular will jump out at you—rebounds.

In fairness to Villanueva, I will use his best season as an example. Two years ago, Charlie averaged 16 points and just under 7 rebounds per game. Then he signed his contract with Detroit that will fetch him $7 million this year.

Compare this to Luis Scola who averaged 16.2 points and 8.6 rebounds per game this season. Or Josh Smith who makes $3 million more per year, but put in 16 points and nine rebounds per game. How about LaMarcus Aldridge who pitched in 18 points and eight rebounds for about $3 million more. Or Paul Millsap. who in only half a game's worth of minutes put in 12 points and seven boards. David West in New Orleans dropped 19 points and eight rebounds making only a couple million more than Charlie.

On the flip side, take a look at some players that are making less than Villanueva. Kevin Love put in 14 points and 11 rebounds making half the salary of Charlie. Tyler Hansbrough put in nine points and five rebounds in less than 18 minutes per game and made $2 million for the effort.

But most importantly, look at what his own teammate, Jonas Jerebko, did for less than $1 million last year. Nine points, six rebounds in less than 28 minutes per game.

Now, these are just the moderately priced power forwards. Of course, there is a whole separate level above these players that are at the power forward spot—the elite players, if you will. The Dirk Nowitzkis, Pau Gasols, Zach Randolphs, and Tim Duncans. These guys make between $16-$20 million per season and are required to put together 20 point and 10 rebound seasons in order for their team to win.

Nobody is expecting or even asking Villanueva to put up those kind of numbers. Charlie wants to be a double-double guy, and that's fine. But it isn't required and it probably isn't possible. Great rebounders are usually born, not created.

Of course, if anyone can create a great rebounder it is Arnie Kander, the Pistons strength and conditioning coach. Kander had a hand in developing Dennis Rodman, Ben Wallace, and to a much lesser extent, Olden Polynice.

But nothing in Villanueva's career suggests that he can be a stud rebounder. Even in college he never had more than eight rebounds per game in a season.

So what is a reasonable expectation for Villanueva? If he secures the starting power forward spot, which seems very unlikely, he should average around 16 points and around eight rebounds per game. If he switched these two out and averaged around 14 points and nine or 10 boards it would be a tremendous accomplishment for Charlie.

But more than numbers, he needs to be engaged in both sides of the game. He needs to trade in his pudgy body and get lean enough to have the energy to play defense. Apathy on the defensive end will not get him playing time. Now, he doesn't have to be the reincarnation of Ben Wallace. But he does have to make his opponent work on both sides of the ball instead of playing matador defense and conserving his energy in order to play offense.

What Kuester, and most importantly, the fans are looking for from Villanueva is effort. There are too many people that are poor and hungry in Michigan for the fans to respect a millionaire that is dogging it playing a game. If Villanueva comes in this season and plays with fire and effort, all will be forgiven and he can get his career back on the right foot.

Another quote from this week may prove that he finally is willing to make just that type of effort. According to Pistons.com writer Keith Langlois, Villanueva has spent a lot of time during the off-season with strength coach Arnie Kander.

“I’ve improved my body in general,” Villanueva said. “My body feels good. I feel like I can get off the floor easier."

Will it be enough to beat out young upstarts Greg Monroe or Jerebko for the starting power forward spot? Probably not, as Jerebko was the complete antithesis of Villanueva effort-wise and Monroe has a ton of natural ability.

But according to Villanueva, he relishes the opportunity.

"I love the challenge," he said. "All my life has been a challenge. It's gonna be interesting. You have 11 or 12 guys that can play. Let the best man get the spot." (From The Detroit News)

We shall certainly see if Villanueva can back up his strong words with his play this season. In order for the Detroit Pistons to be competitive, he will at least have to live up to his contract. Can he do it?

Color me skeptical.