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Charlie Villanueva News & Rumors

Frustrated Charlie Villanueva says staying off ankle has helped
February 5
Detroit News
 
"Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva was as surprised as anyone that he is out indefinitely with bone spurs in his right ankle. He never expected to hear those words because he expected to be healthy by now. But Villanueva sat on the bench in a gray suit while the Pistons slugged through an 89-87 victory over the New Orleans Hornets Saturday night. He's been in a walking boot for more than a week and is not expected to play any time soon. "This is tough," he said. "I want to be out there to help the team any way possible. This is something that has been going on for a little bit now. Being out there is definitely my priority. That is what I am trying to do, get healthy so I can help this"
Pistons have new plan for healing Charlie Villanueva's sore ankle
February 4
Detroit Free Press
 
"The Pistons have provided an answer -- of sorts -- for the right ankle injury that has limited forward Charlie Villanueva to two games this season. Shortly before Friday night's game against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Palace, the Pistons issued this news release that essentially amounted to Villanueva suffering from tendinitis and bone spurs. "Following repeated imaging studies as well as multiple consultations from foot and ankle orthopedic surgeons," the release stated, "it has been determined that Charlie Villanueva's right ankle soreness can be attributed to a resolving posterior tibial tenosynovitis with small talotibal spurs. "A few weeks of partial ankle immobilization have been"
Charlie Villanueva will be sidelined awhile
February 4
Detroit News
 
"Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva's right ankle injury appears more serious than the team thought. The team said in a press release Friday night that he has "a resolving posterior tibial tenosynovitis with small talotibal spurs. In other words, Villanueva, according to definitions of those symptoms, has tendinitis and bone spurs in the ankle, and likely will remain sidelined for at least a few more weeks. It's unclear if he'll need surgery. The Pistons release said Villanueva, limited to just two games this season, will undergo "a few weeks of partial ankle immobilization" in an attempt to alleviate soreness and discomfort before the team's medical staff re-evaluates his progress."
Pistons missing Charlie Villanueva's presence
January 1
Detroit News
 
"Charlie Villanueva has been much maligned since his arrival in 2009. But since he's been out, serving a suspension from a 2010-11 late-season altercation, the Pistons have severely missed his presence. The Pistons were without Villanueva again Friday against the Celtics, but welcome him back tonight against the Pacers. Still, Pistons coach Lawrence Frank doesn't want to look at Villanueva as the magic elixir to the team's ills. "We have to do better," Frank said of his team's 0-2 start. "You never can rely on one person. We have enough with what we have.""
Charlie Villanueva's return should help Pistons offense
December 31
Detroit Free Press
 
"Charlie Villanueva has been missed. When he returns to the Pistons' lineup tonight after serving a four-game suspension for an altercation in last season's home finale against the Cavaliers, Villanueva will provide some much-needed offense off the bench. "It's real important, especially true with the type of offense we have, using a lot of pick-and-rolls and trying to keep the floor spread for our scores and shooters," Ben Gordon said at Friday morning's shootaround before the Pistons' 96-85 loss at Boston. "Having a guy like Charlie out there definitely does that. "The defense has to play us a little bit more honestly when he's out there and I'm sure he'll create a lot more open shots for"
Pistons missing Charlie Villanueva's presence
December 31
Detroit News
 
"Charlie Villanueva has been much maligned since his arrival in 2009. But since he's been out, serving a suspension from a 2010-11 late-season altercation, the Pistons have severely missed his presence. The Pistons were without Villanueva again Friday against the Celtics, but welcome him back tonight against the Pacers. Still, Pistons coach Lawrence Frank doesn't want to look at Villanueva as the magic elixir to the team's ills. "We have to do better," Frank said of his team's 0-2 start. "You never can rely on one person. We have enough with what we have." Most of the issues revolve around the defense, where Villanueva isn't exactly known as a stopper. Villanueva's value lies mostly on"
Finding a fill-in for Charlie Villanueva may be a stretch
December 26
Detroit Free Press
 
"The term "stretch-four" to describe a power forward with deep shooting ability has come in vogue in recent seasons. The Pistons will be missing their version of a "stretch-four" when they open the season tonight at Indiana. Charlie Villanueva is missing the first three games of the season because of a suspension resulting from an altercation with Cleveland's Ryan Hollins in last season's home finale. So expect a healthy dose of Jonas Jerebko, Jason Maxiell and Ben Wallace. None of them really qualify as a "stretch-four," although Jerebko does have three-point range. Pistons coach Lawrence Frank didn't rule out using small forwards Austin Daye and Tayshaun Prince in that role if matchups"
NBA reduces bans for Bynum, Villanueva
December 26
ESPN.com
 
"The shortened NBA season means that suspensions to Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum and Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva also will be reduced, the league announced on Friday. Bynum received a flagrant foul for making excessive contact with Mavericks point guard J.J. Barea in the final game of last season's Western Conference finals. He was given a five-game suspension, which was reduced to four on Friday. Villanueva received a five-game ban -- now also reduced to four -- for tussling with Ryan Hollins of the Cleveland Cavaliers at the end of last season. He had to be restrained from following Hollins into the locker room."
Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva's suspension reduced one game
December 24
Detroit Free Press
 
"The NBA announced today that due to the 2011-12 shortened season, Charlie Villaneueva's five-game suspension has been reduced to four games. Villanueva was suspended for initiating an on-court altercation with Ryan Hollins of the Cleveland Cavaliers last year, and attempting to escalate the altercation by entering the Cavaliers' locker room."
NBA reduces bans for Bynum & Villanueva
December 23
ESPN.com
 
"The shortened NBA season means that suspensions to Los Angeles Lakers center Andrew Bynum and Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva also will be reduced, the league announced on Friday. Bynum received a flagrant foul for making excessive contact with Mavericks point guard J.J. Barea in the final game of last season's Western Conference finals. He was given a five-game suspension, which was reduced to four on Friday."
Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva have much to prove with Pistons
December 16
Detroit News
 columnist Bob Wojnowski
"The jersey number is different. The tone is different. The role and production had better be different. Ben Gordon admits he was completely lost the past two seasons. That didn't put him in unique company on a Pistons team that floundered and pouted and generally looked miserable. Gordon, along with forward Charlie Villanueva, carried a big contract, which produced a big ugly label. As the Pistons move forward under new owner Tom Gores and new coach Lawrence Frank, it would help if a couple players became who they were supposed to be. Everyone knows rookie Brandon Knight will get time to show he's a dynamic guard, and building blocks Greg Monroe and Jonas Jerebko will get time to grow."
Pistons players respond to fans criticism on Twitter
November 16
Detroit Free Press
 
"It didn't take long for several Pistons to weigh in on Twitter on Monday when the players decided to play the litigation card in its labor fight against the NBA. The players union decided to disband and pursue an antitrust suit against the NBA aimed at ending the lockout that has been ongoing since July 1. Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva called it a "sad day" for fans. But there wasn't a lot of sympathy on Twitter as angry fans called the players greedy and selfish. Fans have a hard time understanding why the highest-paid union members in the world refuse to agree to the owners' latest proposal."
Charlie Villanueva wants to play, but says union will 'stick together'
November 2
Detroit Free Press
 
"Lake Orion students have become familiar with several local celebrities the past two weeks. Members of the Pistons -- including power forward Charlie Villanueva -- started playing pickup games at the high school located a few miles up the road from the Palace, where the team was scheduled to start a new NBA season tonight against the Indiana Pacers. That game was canceled along with the rest of the schedule through November because of the ongoing NBA lockout and the inability of the owners and players' union to settle on a new collective bargaining agreement."
Charlie Villanueva says new coach has to communicate better with players
June 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"Charlie Villanueva isn't endorsing a particular candidate to be the next Pistons coach, but there is one trait he'd like to see in whoever gets the job. "Communication," Villanueva said today at the charity softball game he co-hosted with Lions receiver Derrick Williams. "Have somebody who can communicate with their players." The Pistons fired John Kuester as coach last Sunday, four days after Tom Gores officially took ownership of the team. Kuester went 57-107 in two seasons as Pistons coach. His final year was marred by repeated acts of player revolt, including more than half the team skipping a February shootaround. "There was a lot of communication issues," Villanueva said. "In any"
Charlie Villanueva suspended five games by NBA for fight
April 14
Detroit Free Press
 
"The swift hand of justice has landed hard on Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva. The NBA suspended Villanueva five games for his role in an altercation with the Cleveland Cavaliers' Ryan Hollins in the Pistons' 110-101 loss Monday night at the Palace. The suspension means Villanueva will not be available for tonight's season finale against the Philadelphia 76ers nor the first four games next season. The suspension will cost Villanueva roughly $450,000. The main issue appears to be how long Villanueva took to leave the floor — although coach John Kuester pointed out that with the Cavaliers' bench between Detroit's bench and its locker room, the Pistons were forced to wait until"
Pistons' Charlie Villanueva suspended five games for altercation
April 14
Detroit News
 
"It took a little longer than expected, but the NBA dished out its brand of justice to Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva. Villanueva, who got into an altercation with Cavaliers forward Ryan Hollins on Tuesday, was suspended five games. He missed the season finale in Philadelphia on Wednesday and he'll serve the rest at the beginning of next season. Hollins wasn't fined or suspended because league officials stated Villanueva not only initiated the altercation but escalated it when he had to be restrained on the court and near the loading dock. Villanueva sprinted from the Pistons locker room in an attempt to get to the Cavaliers locker room. Pistons coach John Kuester was surprised by the"
Auburn Hills police consider incident involving Charlie Villanueva to be 'closed'
April 13
Michigan Live
 
"The Auburn Hills Police Department is still putting the finishing touches on a final police report involving the altercation Monday night at the Palace. But Lt. Casimir Miarka doesn't expect anything to come of the incident between Detroit Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva and Cleveland Cavaliers forward Ryan Hollins, Miarka said in a phone interview this afternoon. "At this point, this is kind of closed for us," Miarka said. "We've had no complaints of any criminal matters." Miarka said Auburn Hills police officers were there to assist security officers at The Palace and did not restrain Villanueva in any way. Eyewitness reports said that officers used pads to physically prevent"
Charlie Villanueva goes ballistic after scuffle in tonight's games'
April 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"Charlie Villanueva was pretty calm and sounded contrite after the Pistons dropped their home finale tonight to the Cleveland Cavaliers. But that's a sharp contrast to his meltdown during the fourth quarter. Villanueva could be subject to some type of league discipline after being ejected and restrained twice from going after the Cleveland Cavaliers' Ryan Hollins. "You gotta be careful with the quiet ones, right?" said Villanueva, normally gregarious. "At the end of the day that's something that happened on the court, it should stay on the court. "I overreacted. He said some things that got me upset." With 5:47 left in the Pistons' 110-101 loss, Villanueva and Hollins started wrestling with"
Charlie Villanueva ejected, restrained by police during loss to Cavaliers
April 12
Michigan Live
 
"The Detroit Pistons are not headed quietly into the offseason. Charlie Villanueva had to be restrained by police in a loading dock area at The Palace of Auburn HIlls after being ejected Monday night during a 110-101 loss to Cleveland in the final home game of the season for the Pistons. Cavaliers forward Ryan Hollins was also ejected following the incident. At one point, Villanueva left the Pistons locker room and raced toward the Cavaliers locker room in an attempt to confront Hollins, according to multiple witnesses. "I'm going to kill that dude," Villanueva yelled at one point. "I don't give a (expletive)." Police intercepted Villanueva in the loading dock area between the two locker"
Charlie Villanueva loses his cool in Pistons loss; suspension possible
April 12
Detroit News
 
"You know it's a bizarre evening when the Auburn Hills police are flanking the Pistons dressing room to keep the peace. But that's what happens when an NBA game breaks out into an episode of the "Jerry Springer Show." The Pistons (29-52) lost to the Cavaliers, 110-101, Monday at The Palace, but the most interesting part of the game was Charlie Villanueva's "Guys Gone Wild" video when he got tangled with Cavs center Ryan Hollins and then invited him to join him in a brawl in the loading dock. With 5:47 remaining Villanueva set a screen on Hollins and planted a low blow on the Cavs center for retaliation of an earlier blow. The two became tangled and Villanueva even gave Hollins an"
Charlie Villanueva thrilled to see Huskies win NCAA title
April 6
Detroit Free Press
 
"Charlie Villanueva was nervous at halftime of Monday's NCAA national championship. Sitting in the stands at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Villanueva had just seen Butler nail a triple to take a three-point lead into the locker room, and his beloved UConn Huskies' chances for a third national title were in jeopardy. "My palms were sweaty," Villanueva said. "I was like, 'Man, I don't want these boys to lose.' I wanted to be out there." Never fear. UConn rolled to the NCAA title, adding to those won in 1999 (led by Rip Hamilton) and 2004 (with Villanueva and Ben Gordon). And all three former UConn stars on the Pistons' roster were there. They started talking about it after the loss to Boston on"
Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva hot about hook vs. Heat
March 25
Detroit Free Press
 
"Pistons coach John Kuester has a quick hook when it comes to Charlie Villanueva. It's understandable considering Villanueva doesn't help much in other areas besides scoring. But it's apparent that realization isn't reaching Villanueva, who yelled and pointed at Kuester on the bench after being taken out with 9:22 left in Wednesday's 100-94 loss to the Heat. Villanueva was benched during Miami's 15-0 run that turned the Pistons' eight-point lead to start the fourth into a seven-point deficit. Villanueva was having a hard time matching up with Miami's small lineup and had several defensive lapses, including a defensive 3-second violation. Earlier this season, Villanueva retweeted a comment"
Charlie Villanueva's retweet: Tip-off of trouble?
February 26
Detroit Free Press
 
"It didn't get much notice when it happened, but with all the controversy surrounding the Pistons on Friday, it bears repeating. After the Pistons' 102-101 last-second loss to the Pacers on Wednesday night, forward Charlie Villanueva retweeted a follower's tweet critical of coach John Kuester. One of Villanueva's Twitter followers wrote to him: "I ride or die for the Stones. But Q doesn't put u guys in the best position to win. Sad too. Talent is there." Villanueva retweeted the message to his more than 137,000 followers. The message was later deleted. Villanueva was scoreless in 4:28 and benched after the Pacers grabbed five consecutive offensive rebounds during one possession. Villanueva"
Charlie Villanueva to have X-rays on right ankle
January 23
Detroit Free Press
 (scroll down)
"The Pistons gained a big man and lost another. Ben Wallace said he would give his sore left ankle a test against Phoenix after missing six games with the injury. "I'll give it a go in the first quarter and see how it feels," said Wallace Meanwhile, Charlie Villanueva said he would have X-rays on his right ankle after landing on Greg Monroe's foot in the first quarter of Friday's loss to New Jersey. Villanueva's injury occurred when he came down with a rebound, landed on Monroe, delivered an outlet pass and started experiencing pain. He played just 10 minutes in the game, going scoreless and taking just three shots."
Charlie Villanueva puts Kevin Garnett trash-talk behind him
January 20
Boston Herald
 
"Charlie Villanueva is no longer in the Pistons opening lineup, which meant last night that Kevin Garnett didn't get a chance to ignore him before the tip-off, as he did on Dec. 29 when KG shook every Detroit starter's hand but his. Not that Villanueva is upset or anything. "I haven't paid too much mind to it," he said. "It is what it is. I can't really say much, except that I'm not looking for his friendship. I sleep well at night.""
Charlie Villanueva explains his 'cancer' resentment
January 20
Detroit Free Press
 
"It has been awhile since the controversial exchange between Charlie Villanueva and Kevin Garnett. Villanueva took to Twitter to accuse Garnett of calling him a "cancer patient" during the Pistons' blowout loss in November. Garnett denied it, saying he called Villanueva "cancerous" to the Pistons and the league. Villanueva stuck to his story, and then the Pistons blasted the Celtics in late December -- a game in which Garnett was injured early and wasn't a factor. There has been little talk of the controversy since, but on Jan. 8 there was a small reminder of why Villanueva -- who has alopecia universalis, which results in hair loss -- was so passionate about the incident. Before the"
Two ex-Raptors lead Pistons
January 15
Detroit Free Press
 
"Two former Raptors draft picks helped beat their former team in the Pistons' 101-95 win tonight in Toronto. Tracy McGrady, drafted in the first round in 1997 by Toronto, led Detroit with 22 points and five assists. Charlie Villanueva, picked by the Raptors in the first round in 2005, added 16 ponts and eight rebounds off the bench. Rodney Stuckey scored 19 points, Greg Monroe had 12 points and seven rebounds and Ben Gordon scored 11 off the bench. Andrea Bargnani led everybody with 31 points. DeMar DeRozan had 15 points, Linas Kleiza scored 13 and Jose Calderon had 11 points and 13 assists. Richard Hamilton did not play for the second consecutive game. He is in the middle of swirling"
Going onward and upward
December 30
Boston Globe
 
"Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva stands by the tweet in which he accused the Celtics' Kevin Garnett of calling him a "cancer patient'' during their Nov. 2 game in Auburn Hills, Mich. "I will do whatever it takes to win a ballgame,'' said Villanueva. "But I'm not the type of guy who's going to go out there and make things up. I said what I said. Move on. The truth as told. "I said what I had to say and it's over with.''"
Charlie Villanueva-Kevin Garnett stare down a dud
December 30
Detroit Free Press
 
"Call it the showdown that didn't go down. Or maybe the Palace Bawl. Whatever you call Wednesday night's game between the Pistons and Celtics, it's safe to say Charlie Villanueva won by technical knockout. What was expected to be a bad-blood rematch between Charlie Villanueva and Kevin Garnett instead became an anticlimactic undercard to the main event: a 104-92 beatdown the Pistons put on Boston at the Palace. The victory snapped a two-game losing streak, a three-game losing streak to Boston and avenged the 109-86 thrashing the Celtics delivered on Nov. 2. And it was during that last loss that all the acrimony began between Villanueva and Garnett. But it all ended prematurely when Garnett"
Charlie Villanueva, Kevin Garnett set to meet again when Pistons host Celtics
December 29
Detroit Free Press
 
"In one corner, by way of Queens, N.Y., standing 6-feet-11 and weighing 232 pounds, is the Pistons' Charlie Villanueva. In the other corner, from Greenville, S.C., a robust 6-11 and 253 pounds, is Celtics superstar Kevin Garnett. All that will be missing is noted boxing ring announcer Michael Buffer when the Celtics visit the Pistons tonight at the Palace for rematch of the Celtics' Nov. 2 blowout victory. Afterward, Villanueva took to Twitter to accuse Garnett of calling him a "cancer patient" in reference to Villanueva's medical condition alopecia universalis, which results in hair loss. "KG talks alot of crap, he's prob never been in a fight, I would love to get in a ring with him, I"
Villanueva still has hot hand for Pistons
December 29
Detroit News
 
"The Pistons' game against the Celtics Wednesday might conjure up fans' memories of Rick Mahorn vs. Kevin McHale or even Bill Laimbeer vs. Robert Parish. That's because the last time the teams met, on Nov. 2, Charlie Villanueva accused the Celtics' Kevin Garnett of calling him a "cancer patient." Villanueva has alopecia universalis, a condition that results in hair loss. Hours after the Pistons' 109-86 loss, Villanueva, upset about the alleged comment, wrote these fighting words on his Twitter page, "I would love to get in a ring with him. I will expose him." While Villanueva didn't want to talk much about Garnett this week, there's no doubt that he harbors bad feelings about the Celtics"
Former Raptors light up the new crew
December 23
Toronto Sun
 
"The spirits of Raptors past haunted the Air Canada Centre on Wednesday. Ex-Raptors Charlie Villanueva and Tracy McGrady did a number on their former team to help lead the Detroit Pistons to a 115-93 win. The pair combined for 35 points. But it was McGrady, in particular, who really came to the fore, playing with a swagger despite the constant rain of boos from the stands. In 24 minutes, McGrady scored 17 points and picked up seven rebounds, seven assists and three steals. He also threw another former Raptor under the bus when it was suggested that most of the fans who boo him at the ACC really don't know why they're booing. He played the Raptors for three seasons from 1997-2000 before"
Charlie Villanueva to miss game tonight for personal matter
December 7
Detroit News
 
"Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva will miss Tuesday night's game against the Rockets due to a personal matter, a source close to the team told The Detroit News. Villanueva did not travel with the team to Houston, but it is expected that he will rejoin the team for Wednesday's game in New Orleans."
Charlie Villanueva goes from fan punching bag to being one of the Detroit Pistons' top performers
November 30
Michigan Live
 
"Last season, Charlie Villanueva struggled with injuries and inconsistency for the Detroit Pistons. He missed the team plane on the way to one game and earned a DNP-Coach's Decision in another. Fans disappointed with the struggles of a proud franchise took out their frustrations on Villanueva. They vilified him and accused him of being soft, unengaged and overpaid. Those days are in the past, or soon will be, if Villanueva keeps playing the way he has this season. He clearly is healthy, active and engaged. And when you consider his annual rate is within a million of the average NBA salary, Villanueva really never has been overpaid. Villanueva is a different player this season than he was in"
Charlie Villanueva picks up the pace
November 28
Detroit Free Press
 
"Charlie Villanueva has stepped up the intensity this season and it showed in the Pistons' 103-89 victory over Milwaukee on Friday night. Villanueva had 15 points and eight rebounds, continuing his strong play this season. Villanueva, who was dogged by injuries in 2009-10 and criticized by fans for his lackluster approach, has fought for loose balls and has shown a new zeal in defense. "I'm not known for that -- (grabbing) loose balls," Villanueva said of his hustle against the Bucks. "But I was trying to win that game. I'm trying to win some games, man. Last year was a tough year for all of us. Now I'm doing whatever it takes to win.""
Kuester: Charlie Villanueva's a changed player
November 27
Michigan Live
 
"Charlie Villanueva played for the Milwaukee Bucks for three seasons before signing with the Detroit Pistons in summer 2009. But Villanueva is a different player than he was last season when he faced his former team for the first time. "He's had more hustle plays in the beginning of this season than he had all of last year," Pistons coach John Kuester said. "I see that type of energy. He wants it more than I ever witnessed last year, and that's a credit to him." Villanueva entered Friday's game against Milwaukee averaging 14.1 points. He averaged 11.9 points last season. His rebounding numbers are higher (5.1 this season to 4.7 last year), and he is shooting better than 40 percent"
As Charlie Villanueva improves, he could be bumped to starter
November 23
Detroit Free Press
 
"Although coach John Kuester appears comfortable with things the way they are, a case can be made for starting Charlie Villanueva. It's early, but with each passing game, criticism of Villanueva is turning to praise -- especially after his 25-point, 11-rebound performance against the Wizards on Sunday. He practically willed the Pistons to overtime, where Rip Hamilton closed out the 115-110 victory. Villanueva was 10-for-18 (including 4-for-6 in triples), and his running lay-up, where he drew contact with 20.9 seconds, forced overtime. "We just wanted to win so bad, so pretty much whatever it took to win the game today," Villanueva said. "We got the stops we needed down the stretch.""
Pistons' Charlie Villanueva lets fun happen
November 16
Detroit Free Press
 
"A little joy returned to the Pistons' locker room Sunday night. A cloud of doom disappeared after the Pistons' fourth victory in five games -- 100-94 over the Kings at Arco Arena. Though the mood mostly has been dark through the first 10 games, there has been one Piston who has played with joy and a grin all season. Charlie Villanueva has been striking a pose after nailing a long-distance triple, or running to the bench to do a flying chest-bump with a teammate. He has let out howls of joy after a good play and has played with confidence and swagger. "When you're losing, people look to point the finger," Villanueva said after scoring 11 points and grabbing three rebounds against the Kings."
Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva wants to prove he's the real deal
November 10
Detroit Free Press
 
"Charlie Villanueva admitted Tuesday afternoon at the Rose Garden he was faking it at times last season. He was asked about coming off the bench for the first seven games this year, and without prompting said the role was something he struggled with last season -- despite telling the media he was cool with it. And since Pistons coach John Kuester thinks coming off the bench will help the team win, Villanueva will gladly eschew hearing his name called in pregame introductions. "It bothered me when I started off and of course coming off the bench, you wonder why and tend to put blame on yourself," Villanueva said before Tuesday night's game against the Portland Trail Blazers. "It bothered me"
Keep word 'cancer' out of trash talk
November 7
Detroit Free Press
 columnist Drew Sharp
"It's time that we remove the word "cancer" or any of its variations from the sports lexicon. I'm as guilty as anybody else, applying it a little too liberally when looking to succinctly describe a toxic environment within a team's locker room that spreads uncontrollably, destroying all in its wake. But the juvenile back-and-forth between the Pistons' Charlie Villanueva and Boston's Kevin Garnett last week as to precisely how Garnett used the word in verbally trashing Villanueva is a clear sign that enough is enough. Villanueva insists Garnett called him a "cancer patient." The accusation immediately triggered national outrage against the Celtic. Garnett responded that he called him"
Nothing is sacred, and little is secret
November 4
Boston Globe
 columnist Dan Shaughnessy
"It's a tweet-eat-tweet world we live in. And now you know a little bit about what it's like on an NBA basketball court, where nothing is off-limits when the walks are walked and the trash is talked. All-World yapper Kevin Garnett got into it with Detroit's Charlie Villanueva with 2:39 left in the Celtics' victory over the Pistons at Auburn Hills, Mich., Tuesday night. Villanueva suffers from alopecia universalis, a skin disorder that causes hair loss, and after the game, he tweeted that Garnett had called him "a cancer patient.'' As part of a taunt."
Kevin Garnett: Cancer jab 'miscommunication'
November 4
Boston Herald
 
"Doc Rivers offered "ear-witness" support for Kevin Garnett last night, while Charlie Villanueva stood his ground, claiming that Garnett crossed the trash-talk line and called him a "cancer patient." The claim and denial stem from Tuesday's Celtics road win against the Detroit Pistons. Garnett was trying to unnerve Villanueva with words, and the latter posted his account of the talk on Twitter later that night. Villanueva, who has alopecia universalis, a medical condition that results in hair loss, made three tweets: KG talks alot of crap, he's prob never been in a fight, I would love to get in a ring with him, I will expose him." "KG called me a cancer patient, I'm (upset) because, u know"
Pistons' Charlie Villanueva says Kevin Garnett called him a 'cancer patient'
November 3
Detroit News
 
"The game is over but the controversy has just begun. Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva, via his Twitter page Wednesday, said Kevin Garnett called him a "cancer patient" during the Celtics' 109-86 win Tuesday at The Palace. "KG called me a cancer patient," Villanueva wrote. "I'm (upset) because, u know how many people died from cancer, and he's tossing it like it's a joke." Villanueva went a step further online and challenged Garnett, a 6-foot-11, 235-pound NBA All-Star, to a confrontation."
Villanueva: Kevin Garnett called me a cancer patient
November 3
SportingNews.com
 
"After falling to 0-4 on Tuesday, it's clear that the Pistons are stinging from more than just the team's losses. Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva posted a message to his Twitter account on Wednesday morning that he was bothered by Celtics forward Kevin Garnett calling him a "cancer patient." "KG called me a cancer patient, I'm pissed because, u know how many people died from cancer, and he's tossing it like it's a joke," Villanueva wrote. "I wouldn't even trip about that, but a cancer patient, I know way 2 many people who passed away from it, and I have a special place 4 those." Before talking about Garnett's insult, Villanueva seemed to give the Celtics forward an open invitation for a"
Pistons' Richard Hamilton questionable, Charlie Villanueva a game-time decision for Boston game
November 2
Michigan Live
 
"Another day, another injury for the Detroit Pistons. Actually, make it two. Richard Hamilton injured his foot and Charlie Villanueva sprained his ankle Saturday night in Detroit's loss to the Chicago Bulls. Hamilton is questionable for Tuesday night's game against the Boston Celtics, and Villanueva will be a game-time decision."
Charlie Villanueva in 3-man battle as Pistons starting forward
October 19
Detroit Free Press
 
"Is power forward Charlie Villanueva playing well enough to start? Villanueva had 16 points and eight rebounds in a 99-88 loss to Minnesota on Friday, and 19 points and three rebounds in a 97-94 loss to Charlotte on Saturday. With Jonas Jerebko likely out for most or all of the season with a ruptured right Achilles tendon, Villanueva's competition for the job is rookie Greg Monroe and slender Austin Daye. "I'll tell you this: We still have two exhibition games to go, and Charlie has done a great job," coach John Kuester said. "Austin Daye has done a great job; (Jason) Maxiell has played well. Regardless of who we end up starting, it's not always who starts but who finishes. We'll find out"
Pistons start Charlie Villanueva in place of Jonas Jerebko; Tracy McGrady doesn't play
October 9
Michigan Live
 
"Charlie Villanueva started Friday for the Detroit Pistons in place of the injured Jonas Jerebko. But don't read to much into that. It doesn't necessarily mean Villanueva will start the season opener at power forward. "I'm going to mix and match a lot of things," Pistons coach John Kuester said before his team's preseason game against the Milwaukee Bucks. "There's nothing etched in stone. I'm just sort of seeing who's going to be in that spot. Even with Jonas, when he was here, I was going to mix and match throughout this preseason." Kuester also inserted Will Bynum into the starting lineup, moving Rodney Stuckey to shooting guard to start in place of Richard Hamilton. Hamilton remains away"
Pistons forward Charlie Villanueva determined to improve
September 29
Detroit Free Press
 columnist Michael Rosenberg
"Let's start with the guilt. Charlie Villanueva felt it all summer. He had signed a five-year, $35-million contract with the Pistons in the summer of 2009, planning to revitalize one of the proudest organizations in the NBA. And what happened? "Throughout my whole career, last year was actually the worst year of my career," he said bluntly. He was called a bust, a loafer, a waste of money. I don't care if you make $7 an hour or $7 million a year. Nobody likes to hear that. "Joe Dumars, the whole Pistons organization, made a commitment to me for five years," Villanueva said. "And last year was a disappointing one, for me and the team. I just wanted to show everyone that I'm committed to"
Pistons' Charlie Villanueva vows to rediscover game
September 8
Detroit News
 
"When a team like the Pistons experiences a steep decline from consecutive conference finals and playoff appearances, many search for a scapegoat. Last year, Charlie Villanueva drew the majority of the critics' ire. His work ethic, heart and worth were questioned. A year after his arrival via free agency with a five-year, $35 million deal, Villanueva finds himself an afterthought, which is what usually happens after a team wins just 27 games. "It's definitely unfair, it's a team sport," Villanueva said. "Everybody has to be held accountable, not just me. The reason why I came here was because this was such a successful organization. "It was a learning experience. The injuries, the chemistry"