Thick-skinned Villanueva eager to embarrass critics

	In two years at Connecticut, Charlie Villanueva averaged 11.2 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images
	Other Rookies to Watch Charlie Villanueva isn't the only rookie opening eyes this preseason. Here's a look at four other first-round picks not named Bogut or Williams who have been impressive in training camp: Chris Paul, Hornets: A trendy pick for Rookie of the Year, the little guard from Wake Forest leads all first-year players in assists (6.8) while chipping in 9.2 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals. He also has posted a 3.41 assist/turnover ratio and shot 58.3 percent from downtown (seven-of-12). He had 26 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and four steals in Sunday's loss to the Nuggets. Channing Frye, Knicks: The 6-foot-11 power forward from Arizona, drafted No. 8 overall, is averaging 11.2 points (on 52.8 percent shooting), 4.5 rebounds and 1.0 assists in just 19.3 minutes per game. He had 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two assists in Saturday's win over the Spurs. Even Larry Brown might have to find time for this rookie if he keeps it up. Rashad McCants, T'wolves: No first-year player has a better opportunity, and this 6-4 shooting guard from North Carolina, drafted No. 14 overall, is trying to make the most of it. He's averaging 11.9 points while shooting 47.1 percent from downtown (eight-of-17). His defense still needs work and he has struggled with foul trouble, but he looks like a keeper. Danny Granger, Pacers: Could be the steal of the draft. Selected No. 17 overall out of New Mexico, the 6-8 forward leads all rookies in rebounds (7.3) while adding 11.0 points, 1.5 assists and .83 steals in 26.2 minutes per game. Though he hasn't shot well from the floor (40.4 percent), his defense has been more than solid. He had 19 points and 15 boards in a win last week over the Spurs.

It was Raptors rookie forward Charlie Villanueva's welcome-to-the-NBA moment. He was playing pickup ball with several NBA players at the IMG Academies in Bradenton, Fla., last August when Hawks veteran forward Al Harrington decided to have some fun at his expense.

"He was just saying, 'Give me the ball. I'm going to take this rookie. He can't guard me,'" Villanueva recalls. "You know, typical NBA stuff."

The two went at it hard during the ensuing game, according to Villanueva, with each making plays on the other and talking smack. With Chauncey Billups, Jared Jeffries and a few of his Raptors teammates looking on, Villanueva held his own. When it was over, the 6-foot-9 Harrington came over to the 6-11 Villanueva and shook his hand. "He said good job, keep working hard," Villanueva said. "It definitely gave me confidence.'"

Villanueva now hopes to silence skeptics of a different sort. Ever since being selected with the No. 7 pick last June, the former UConn star has heard a torrent of complaints from the media and pundits. Villanueva, critics say, is too soft, too moody and not a hard worker. He plays the same position as Chris Bosh. He never should have been drafted that high.

Guess what? Villanueva currently leads all rookies during the preseason in scoring (16.9 points) while adding 5.3 rebounds, 1.4 assists and .86 blocks in 30.3 minutes per game. He had 19 points (on 8-of-12 shooting) to go with five boards in just 25 minutes Monday night against the Blazers. Last week he had 24 points and seven rebounds in an OT victory over the Nets, including three clutch free throws in the final seconds to send the game into the extra session.

"I think people are seeing why we took Charlie with the seventh pick," Raptors coach Sam Mitchell says. "He's a multitalented guy, he works hard, he can play three positions and he's getting better every game. If you look at the numbers he's putting up and the different ways we are using him this kid has a chance to be a very good basketball player."

Villanueva is definitely playing with a chip on his shoulder. He admits he was ticked off by the criticisms he received on draft night. He remembers every word Dick Vitale and the other experts on ESPN said about him. He recalls getting on a plane to Toronto the next day and seeing a local newspaper ripping his selection. His agent, Billy Ceisler, has since had the newspaper framed and hung in Villanueva's apartment.

"It hurt," says Villanueva, who had been watching the ESPN telecast with his family. "It was my big day, you know. Getting drafted was something I'd dreamed about. To hear all those negative comments was tough."

"But I decided it was just going to make me work harder. I feel I've got something to prove."

What the critics failed to mention about Villanueva on draft night was that he was only 20 years old and that he had been making progress. UConn observers say his work ethic had improved under coach Jim Calhoun's strict hand. They note he was always a willing passer and good teammate. He averaged 13.6 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while helping lead the Huskies to the NCAA Tournament semifinals.