Hardwood Paroxysm Presents The Replacements: Bench players we’re most excited to watch in the NBA Playoffs

Kirk Henderson (@KirkSeriousFace) is most excited to watch… Charlie Villanueva

On November 2nd, 2005 Charlie Villanueva, 7th overall pick for the Toronto Raptors, took the floor for the first time. April 18th or 19th, nine and a half years and 594 games later, Charlie Villanueva will sub in sometime early in the first quarter to play his first playoff minutes as a professional basketball player.

Currently, Charlie V is the longest tenured active player in the league without having played a playoff game. That he’s even poised to make his playoff debut is something of a miracle. Villanueva was a late training camp invite by the Dallas Mavericks and somehow shot himself on to the team, providing a spark off the bench during 7 preseason games. Though he received spotty minutes early in the season, by Christmas Villanueva had worked himself into the regular rotation.

He still surprises casual fans that he’s even in the league. He’s still a turnstile defensively. He can’t rebound either. His 37% from deep is good for fourth best on a mediocre three point shooting team and yet when he rises to fire, it’s exhilerating. He’s waited so long to have a chance to play in a game that matters, so don’t be surprised if Charle V. is a big factor in a Dallas Maverick playoff win.