Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement - scroll for more content
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Charlie Villanueva on Mark Cuban: “He’s A1. He hanging out with us. He on the flights. He like, ‘Y’all want to do something? Let’s go. We out.’ Like, we—like, it almost felt a little weird— Like, I’m going to hang out with my boss? That’s a little—you know what I mean? That’s a little weird. But it was cool, man. He was A1, man. Took care of his players, and just how they did everything, man—just, you know, top-notch organization.”
JR Smith on Jaylen Brown: It's always been his team. Why we got to keep talking about it? Jaylen Brown is a leader. He guards everybody. (…) Always been his team though. Charlie Villanueva: I don't know about always. JR Smith: It's his team for the players. I'm pretty sure it's his team. For everybody else in the media, from the outside, it's Jayson Tatum's team. That's what they want it to look like. Theo Pinson: So, you're saying that they are putting the perception out there that it's JT's team, but internally it’s Jaylen Brown's team. JR Smith: Jaylen Brown is the leader of that team 100 percent. On and off the court.
Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: You’ve been very active in the community recently. What have you been doing to work with kids and adults who are dealing with the same diagnosis? Jordan Walsh: I mean, it’s huge. I partner with NAAF (National Alopecia Areata Foundation) to raise awareness and also try to help kids out that are younger than me—from the age that I was when I was first diagnosed. I try to help them go through it because I know it’s a tough world and I can sympathize with them; I know exactly what they’re going through. Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson: Have you been able to connect with other athletes or entertainers who also have Alopecia? Jordan Walsh: Yeah, there have been a couple of people. A couple of football players, and then mentors like Charlie Villanueva. He’s a good dude and we talk quite a bit. I’ll be at his house chillin’, so he’s definitely been a big mentor to me for sure.
Charlie Villanueva when he fought Ryan Hollins: So my whole goal is I'mma get this dude, bro. That was my whole goal. And at that time they barricaded I don't know how they knew this sh*t but they barricaded the locker. I don't know that they probably thought they knew I was coming out there or something. So they barricaded their locker room, which was crazy. So then I jumped over the fuck*ng barricade. I'm trying to get in this motherf*cker cuz now I know he’s in there. So and at that time like security holding me back and then there's a cop I remember a cop saying ‘Yo we going to have to taser him.’ We going to taser. Bring out the taser.
Charlie Villanueva on Jokic saying he never wants to leave the Nuggets: "Most European superstars don't want to leave their team. These international cats don’t have the same mentality as a US born player where if sh*t don’t go right we want to leave, you know, they want to fix the problems.”
Advertisement
With your ability to shoot the three, how do you think you would have played in this era? Charlie Villanueva: Ah, I blame my parents for having me [laughs] a little too early, but today's game is about spacing the floor, and there's guys my size, it's a normal thing now to be able to shoot threes and be able to create, put the ball on the floor, or whatnot. I think my game, it will fit perfectly with today's game.
Do you feel like your scoring and averages would be way higher if you played today? CV: Well, I mean, yeah. Remember, it was in the era where defense was a priority, right? In today's game, defense has taking a little step back with the rules that change where you can't hand-check or put hands on some of the players or whatnot. But I will say that the averages will be higher for sure.
You being in Dallas, what was it like being there in the city with the Luka trade? What was it like seeing how the city responded to that trade, and what they’re going through this season? CV: Oh, it's unfortunate with what they're going through. Injuries played a factor, but we never got to see the plan or what it could potentially have to look like. I know the city was upset on that move, but that's something that happened and you kind of have to put it behind you and kind of look forward. I think the Mavs are in a great position. I know that this year, they're struggling a bit, but I think a lot has to do with the injuries that they have experienced. But the future is super bright. Cooper Flagg and Kyrie [Irving] coming back, so, I believe in this team and I think this team is gonna bounce back.
Charlie Villanueva: Shawn Marion calls me. We have a good debate. He's actually a fan of the show. He sees the show. He was just wanted to give me his opinion on some of the topics that we discuss. And that being one about Kevin Durant versus Carmelo Anthony. And he gave me his two cents on who he would pick and then he mentioned something to me. Got me thinking. He said just throw my name in the mix.
Charlie Villanueva: There's only five players in NBA histories with 17,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, 1,500 steals, and a thousand blocks: Hakeem Olajuwon, Karl Malone, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James and Shawn Marion. All those guys are Hall of Famers, except Shawn Marion.
Advertisement
By the end of 2019, Tidal League launched its first show: Court-Side Moms, hosted by Wendy Sparks, mother of former NBA center Khem Birch, who interviews moms of other NBA players, including Luka Dončić, Damian Lillard, and Chris Paul. Still, it wasn’t until 2022 that Tidal League got its first real break, when Theo Pinson joined with his Run Your Race podcast. The company’s most popular podcast is Out The Mud, a show hosted by Grizzlies greats Zach Randolph and Tony Allen, which Kent Benson says reached more than 50 million views in its first six months. “We went from a business that was doing no revenue to—in 2022—we did over $1 million in revenue,” Benson tells Front Office Sports. “So we went from $0 to $1 million in a year.”
Last week, the company announced new investments from Charlie Villanueva, Eric Ebron, Justin Jackson, and another NBA veteran, Devonte’ Graham. Financial terms were not disclosed, but Benson tells FOS that the minimum investment is $100,000. “As an entrepreneur, it was a no-brainer to invest in a media company,” Villanueva says. “It gives you the opportunity to have ownership in something that comes easy. It’s easy to talk about basketball because we’ve done it.” The company isn’t done raising money. It’s now in the process of seeking out its first institutional investor, with the aim of amassing $5 million.
Charlie Villanueva: "I got a whole different perspective about Toronto. I love Toronto — for real. It's a great city. I got a son out of it — shoutout to CJ. I got a Canadian son! Shoutout to Toronto. My time there was nothing but amazing. But I will say — it's an inconvenience."
Former NBA star Charlie Villanueva is counting his blessings today ... revealing he's ultra thankful to be alive after he was involved in a bad car crash earlier this week. The former Milwaukee Bucks forward said on his Instagram page Wednesday night that he and his wife, Lala, were riding in a Mercedes G Wagon when someone hit them from behind.