Charlie Villanueva was in Milwaukee on Tuesday, July 18, and joined General Manager Larry Harris and Head Coach Terry Stotts at the team's training center to talk with members of the media about his recent trade from the Raptors to the Bucks.

General Manager Larry Harris:
Opening statement ...
It’s a pleasure to have another young player on our front line to go along with Andrew. We have another First team-All-Rookie. A young man that stayed two years in college with the tremendous career he had a U-Conn ... I don’t think a lot of people knew what they were getting in Toronto when they got him in his first year ... When we looked at this season, moving forward, one of the things we wanted to address is trying to find a power forward that could complement Andrew, one that could play away from the basket, that could also post up and have the ability to put it on the floor. This young man has only scratched the surface of what he’s going to be able to do offensively (and he's a) tremendous rebounder. I think what a lot of people don’t know about him is that he’s a tremendous passer and I think him and Andrew will complement each other very well. He’s unselfish. I think he’s going to be able to spread the floor for us and create situations for Michael (Redd) and Bobby (Simmons), and now Mo (Williams), to do more of those things. We will have a pick and pop guy. It really complements what we’re trying to do. I don’t think it sets us back to where we’re trying to get to - trying to become an NBA Champion. We’ve just gone in a different direction this summer. Anytime you get a quality player like Charlie you have to give up something and we did that. T.J. Ford - we appreciate everything he did and everything he did both on and off the court. As we stated before, it’s a tremendous accomplishment, what he’s been able to do in the two years he played for us. It put us in the playoffs. We’ve only just begun (getting to) where we’re trying to get to. Charlie’s going to add to that, and in addition put us back in the playoffs again and really solidify that line for many years to come.

Charlie Villanueva:
On his initial reaction to the trade ...
When I got the phone call, that was a little bit shocking to be honest with you. Toronto was great for me, but then I sat back and thought about the great situation I could have in Milwaukee. The fans are great. We have a good group of guys and just to play alongside a great guy (and) a classmate, Andrew Bogut, that would be great.

On how he fits in with the team ...
I think I fit pretty nicely. They expect a lot from me and I’m ready to step up to the challenge and I’m so excited. I’m ready to get this thing rolling.

On the night where he scored 48 points against the Bucks in Milwaukee ...
I feel very successful in the Bradley Center, so hopefully I can keep that going. It was just one of those nights where everything was going right for me and U-Conn was playing George Mason. (When)I found out they lost ... that gave me that extra boost.

Head Coach Terry Stotts:
On what Charlie brings to the team ...
A lot of things Larry touched on like versatility. I’m excited about all the things that are possibilities. His versatility as a passer, as a handler, as a shooter, and as a post-up player ... I think he’s just scratched the surface of what he’s able to do. We had a chance to work out this morning. Certainly, there are areas to improve, but the NBA game is so much about having spacing, and his passing and Andrew’s passing will open up the court for our perimeter players. Just his presence on the court, whether he has the ball or not, will open up things for other players because they will respect him. He’s a three-point shooting threat and he can shoot the three better, and he will improve on that. He’s got a quick first step. Talking about pick and pops, double downs and popping off the lane - the way the game is going and the versatile (big men) around the league ... He was six foot as a freshman in high school and grew 7 or 8 inches in a year and he kept the ball-handling skills. I’m anxious to explore the possibilities of what he can do and add a little more creativity, using him in different roles.

On playing Charlie at the 4 spot or the 3 spot ...
I’m not opposed at playing him at three. I think his natural position is, the way the game is played now, is a four ... You would pose interesting matchups at the three. You would still have Joe with him at the four to have your spacing at the offensive end.

Charlie Villanueva:
On what position he prefers to play ...
After the season in Toronto I was playing the four then they moved me to the three. I’m just a basketball player. Whatever position coach wants me to play, I’m willing to play. I’m so excited to get this thing rolling.

On what he learned during his rookie season last year ...
Well learning is being consistent and trying to play 82 games. It was hard for me. It was my first year. It was hard, I struggled a little bit . One day I (would) have a pretty good game and the next, not so good, so I’m trying to work on being consistent.

On Andrew Bogut ...
I played against him in college and the guy can play. Flat out, the guy can play. I’m excited to play alongside with him. We compliment each other real well. He passes the ball just like myself . We’re both unselfish. I think its going to work out.

On Michael Redd ...
Michael redd is a tremendous player . Just to have him on the floor - he’s a threat. He’s going to create a lot of double teams and create some things for other players.

Larry Harris:
On how adding Charlie will help the team's defense ...
Defense is the number one priority as we look at our team. I challenge most of the players that are coming back about that (and Terry did as well) in the postseason talk we had with each player. We’re still looking at free-agency, we’re still looking at some trades that are out there, that are available that we’re trying to get done. One of the elements we’re trying to bring back is some defensive players or a defensive presence. I think Andrew Bogut can improve and Charlie is the same way. The one thing you talk about, consistentsy, that’s not just talking about the offense on the floor, it’s got to be a mindset from each person. Terry and I have talked about trying to get the mindset of our players to understand: we have to take care of our man first. There’s help behind us . And I think what we have addressed is that we have addressed more size up front. We brought another 6-11, young, athletic player to the frontline which can help us when we’re trying to help out a move. He’s mobile. It’s not like once he slides over , he can’t get back out and help so there’s going to be a lot of pressure on him and Andrew to do a lot of helping, to be in positions and Terry’s going to put them in positions to be successful . But again, I’m stressing that each player’s got to come back with that mindset. As we look into free agency, the kind of guys we’re going to sign or looking to sign, there may be an element of offense, but there’s also an element of defense that we’re trying to complement. I don’t know if you’ll see that in the early free agents we signed or some of the trades I’ve made so far but I think as we try to evaluate each trade and free agency, defense is something we’re trying to address.

Charlie Villanueva:
On his critics ...
When I first got drafted a lot of analysts criticized me and said a couple comments here and there. I used that through the entire season as motivation. I think there’s still a lot of room to improve for me. I think you guys still haven’t seen anything yet as far as the defensive end (goes). At the beginning , my defense wasn’t so good, but it’s getting better. That’s all I ask for - that it gets better.

On the importance of defense ...
In this league, you’re going to have to defend. I think in order to play you have to defend as well. I want to play, so I have to learn to defend.

Terry Stotts:
On Charlie scoring 48 points against the Bucks last season at the Bradley Center ...
We couldn’t do much about him. The thing is that he shot the three very well that night. He was six for 11 and he was probably 6 for 9, 6 for 10 before he missed his last couple , but he had that going. You had to respect that and then the drives and (he gets) offensive rebounds , points in the paint. He had it all going and it was a little bit of everything. That’s the versatility I like about him as far as the offensive end. If there are outside shots going up and offensive rebounds, it's one of those nights you can’t explain sometimes.

On the Bucks' current roster ...
I thnk we’re more of a balanced team. I think we can be a better team. That’s for us to improve. On paper, our roster is balanced. T.J. was a tremendous asset. Helped us get to the playoffs and his unique style, we will miss that aspect of it. But for team chemistry and the way we want to play, we have to get younger and we have to get Charlie a taste of the playoffs. That’s the next step in his career. The roster is not set. You ask me in October how it is, but as of today I like the balance. I like the direction of the team.

On what he was thinking when he watched the NBA Playoffs and Finals ...
The ultimate goal is to definitely win the championship. I wasn’t apart of the playoffs, but I saw it on TV. Just to see the energy and how every possession means something -- it’s a fantastic thing and one day I’m going to be apart of it. By joining this organization, I think I will be.

On whether or not it was difficult to play for the Raptors, a team with a losing record ...
It was hard for me at first. At the beginning of the season in Toronto we started out 0-15. I wasn’t used to losing by that much, but it was a learning experience. It was a learning experience and we have gotten over it. Milwaukee is a playoff team and I think I’m going to be a major part in moving forward.

Larry Harris:
On when the call for Charlie originated ...
The phone call originated on Draft Night, and if you recall there were two players sporting the new logo. Ironically, they were in my office at the time that call came in. It just worked out that way.

Oh how Michael Redd and Bobby Simmons, who were with Larry on Draft Night, reacted to the trade possibility ...
I think they were shocked that I asked them and let them know what was going on, but it was important. As I told Michael when I signed him, ‘The goal is to make the playoffs and get further and further and try and win a championship, but if we feel there are situations where we need to improve, I want you to know, you’ll be apart of it.’ When I signed Michael, I told him, ‘One of my main goals is to make sure we get better every year and try to put players around him that will make him better, and that he can make better as well.’ I think when you’re dealing with someone with Michael Redd’s status and what he means to this organization, it’s important for him to know. I’m not going to call him and tell him we’re going to sign this guy and that guy. When you’re trading a starter, and someone of that magnitude, a starting point guard, I think it’s important for him to be apart of the process. He was certainly aware of what we were trying to do that night.

Charlie Villanueva:
On whether or not he is a "rah-rah" player or leader ...
I try to be a leader, lead by example. Something I’m trying to get better at as well as being more vocal and taking more of a leadership role.

On whether or not he has met some of his new teammates ...
I was with Mo at Alonzo’s Summer Groove Charity Game in Miami. He’s excited to have me on the team and I’m excited to have him as a point guard. I had dinner with Charlie Bell when I was up here my first time. I met Michael as well. It’s a good group of guys. His thoughts on Milwaukee ...
I like the city. It’s not like Toronto. It’s not as loud, but it’s a quiet, nice city. I’m looking forward to getting a home and being here for a long time.

On his family ...
I have six sisters and three brothers. All of my brothers’ names are Robert. I’m the only that’s blessed - that’s not named Robert. I guess I’m the chosen one - the different one.

On his brothers all having the same name ...
They were all named after my father.

On why he wasn't named "Robert" ...
I don’t know. I think my mom just got tired of the name Robert. (laughs) [She wanted to] switch it up. I’m the youngest of the boys.

On how he distinguishes his brothers from one another ...
For some reason, when I say Rob they know which one I’m talking to by the way I say it. They go by their middle names.