Latest news with #Flav
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Spurs' Sandro Mamukelashvili scores NBA record 34 points in 19 minutes, celebrates feat with Flavor Flav
Perhaps you entered Wednesday unfamiliar with any of the following things: The name Sandro Mamukelashvili; The fact that he is a basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs; or Either the broad confines of his skill-set or the finer points of his game. If that is true, don't beat yourself up about it too much. It appears the Knicks weren't very familiar with those things, either. A second-round pick out of Seton Hall back in 2021 who began his career in Milwaukee, the 6-foot-11 Mamukelashvili has spent most of his four pro seasons on the fringes of the rotation, offering spot minutes behind the likes of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brook Lopez and Victor Wembanyama. The loss of Wembanyama to a blood clot and reserve big man Charles Bassey's knee injury opened up some more opportunities for the 25-year-old, though, and on Wednesday, he made the most of them, turning in the game of his life against the visitors from New York: a career-high 34 points on 13-for-14 shooting, including a perfect 7-for-7 from 3-point range, to go with nine rebounds, three assists and a steal in a stunning 120-105 Spurs win. 'He's in the NBA for a reason,' Knicks forward Josh Hart said after the game. 'He's a good player.' [Yahoo Fantasy Bracket Mayhem is back: Enter for a shot to win up to $50K] That avalanche of buckets all came in just 19 minutes and 26 seconds of floor time earned Mamukelashvili a piece of NBA history. It's the most points that any player has ever scored in fewer than 20 minutes, topping Jaylen Brown (33 in 19 minutes in 2021), Kevin Love (32 in 15 minutes in 2022) and Kevin Durant (30 in 19 minutes in 2014). He's also just the fourth NBA player ever to make 90% of his field goals, 100% of his 3-point attempts and 100% of his free throws in a game, joining Charles Barkley, Gary Payton and Tyrese Haliburton. Pretty decent company for a guy who's averaging 4.9 points per game for his career, and who entered Wednesday having never hit the 30-point mark in 176 career games. Perhaps it's not surprising that Mamukelashvili showed out in this particular contest, though. After all, he had a friend in the stands — someone special he wanted to impress. This entire Mamu-Flavor Flav sequence might just have saved the Spurs season 🩶 — WembyMuse (@Wemby_Muse) March 20, 2025 Yes, you're seeing what you think you're seeing: That is former Public Enemy rapper, multi-instrumentalist and all-around bon vivant Flava Flav rushing the court to celebrate with Mamukelashvili, serving as the hype man for Mamu like he was Chuck D back in 1998. If you're wondering how this came to be — and, I mean, how could you not be? — here's Jeff McDonald of the San Antonio Express-News: Mamukelashvili met Flav at the Las Vegas Summer League as a rookie in 2021. The two hit it off and have been friends ever since. 'I FaceTime him sometimes,' Mamukelashvili said. When Flav said he was coming to San Antonio for his birthday this week, Mamukelashvili hooked him up with tickets behind the Knicks bench, then proceeded to put on a show. After losing control of the proceedings by giving up a 16-1 mid-first-quarter run to their hosts, New York had clawed back to within six points of the Spurs when Mamukelashvili checked in less than a minute into the second quarter … and promptly proceeded to black out. "I don't know what f***ing happened," Mamukelashvili said after the game, according to Michael C. Wright of ESPN. "I don't know what f***ing happened." Over the next eight minutes, he outscored the misfiring Knicks by himself, 13-9, punishing Tom Thibodeau's bigs inside and out to help propel San Antonio to a 24-point halftime lead. When opponents run pick-and-rolls with their centers setting the ball screen, New York prefers to have their own big men sink back toward the paint rather than aggressively stepping up to guard the 3-point line. This drop coverage helps ensure that the Knicks always have a bigger body back by the basket to aid with rim protection and rebounding — two non-negotiable principles of any Thibodeau defense. But it can leave New York susceptible to opposing centers who can step out and shoot the ball, and on Wednesday, while the Knicks employed Karl-Anthony Towns (who finished with a team-high 32 points and nine rebounds on 11-for-21 shooting), it was San Antonio whose stretch-5 consistently lit up the night, popping off of his picks with enough room and time to rain fire on a dead-legged Knicks team looking none too thrilled to be back on the road after a one-game home stop following a five-game West Coast swing. After New York finally got its offense untracked in the third quarter and got back within eight with 7:29 to go in regulation, it was Mamukelashvili who slammed the door, drilling a pair of triples and dishing a dime to a cutting Jeremy Sochan to keep San Antonio up by double-digits before putting the Knicks to bed with a dunk of his own and another bomb to push the lead back to 17. He'd finish with 21 points in the final frame, shooting a perfect 8-for-8 from the field, before checking out to a rapturous ovation from the San Antonio faithful — a performance beyond his wildest dreams. "I've been waiting for this day for a long time," Mamukelashvili told reporters. "I just can't explain how I feel right now. I feel like I'm in a dream. I manifested and prayed for it. I just waited for this day. I really had an out of body experience for a little bit there. I was like, 'Is this really happening?'"
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Arkansas city boasts world's shortest St. Patrick's Day parade at 98 feet
HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — Cities like New York and Chicago boast some of the largest St. Patrick's Day parades, attracting thousands of revelers and plenty of green beer. But a city in Arkansas has gained popularity over the years with its parade for an entirely different reason. The city of Hot Springs, a resort town known for its mineral-rich waters, promotes its 98-foot route as the World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade. For more than two decades the city has held the parade on Bridge Street downtown, and it's become one of its biggest draws. It's even gained the attention of celebrities who have participated in the annual, short event, including actress Valerie Bertinelli and rap icon Flavor Flav. How the parade began Steve Arrison, CEO of Visit Hot Springs, said the idea began in 2003 when he and a group of friends were at a downtown restaurant 'drinking adult beverages' and the topic of St. Patrick's Day came up. 'We got to talking and said, well, why don't we have a parade?' Arrison said. The parade began the following year and drew about 1,500 people. More than 30,000 people watch the parade each year, organizers say. What's a 98-foot parade like? For the world's shortest, the parade packs in a lot. They'll have 40 different floats, and participants will include 100 members of a group of Elvis Presley impersonators known as the International Order of the Marching Irish Elvi. Another float will feature the local chapter of the International Society of Helen Ropers, with participants dressed up as the character from the 1970s sitcom, 'Three's Company'. The parade has also featured a celebrity grand marshal and parade starter, and over the years has included familiar names such as actor Kevin Bacon, 'Cheers' star George Wendt and country music star Justin Moore. This year, Bertinelli will be the grand marshal and Flav will be the official starter. The parade even created its own green version of the signature clock necklace Flav, a founding member of Public Enemy, is known for wearing. The Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders have also participated in the parade for the past several years. The parade includes other events, including a concert and a 'Blarney Stone kissing contest.' Before the parade begins Monday, there's an official measuring of the route. Other short parades Other parades have tried to lay claim to being the shortest in recent years, including two cities in New York that dueled over who had the shortest parade. Another 78-pace parade was planned in Bemidji, Minnesota on Monday. The Hot Springs parade's organizers also keep up a feud with another parade in Adamsville, Rhode Island that claims its 89-foot route is the shortest. But Arrison dismisses their claim, noting that city's parade is held on the day before St. Patrick's Day. Arrison also notes that the Hot Springs event has copyrighted the title 'World's Shortest St. Patrick's Day Parade.'
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Flavor Flav reflects on how he 'reshaped and molded reality TV' with 'Flavor of Love,' 'Strange Love'
From Public Enemy hype man to U.S. Olympic Water Polo team sponsor, Flavor Fav has blazed a unique path. 'I never dreamed when I was younger that I would be doing this,' Flav, 65, told Yahoo Entertainment. A musical prodigy proficient in 15 instruments, 'I always did want to be famous one day with my music,' which he did alongside Chuck D. 'I just didn't know exactly what part of the field that I was going to come out of. All I did was just live day to day and try. I didn't really imagine that I would be who I am now.' See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Another thing Flav (real name: William Drayton Jr.) tried was reality TV, some 20 years ago. Initially reluctant to appear on the Surreal Life in 2004 — when the genre was new and the stars weren't exactly A-list — he agreed to take part in Season 3 of the VH1 show. It was there that he met Brigitte Nielsen, the actress from Rocky IV and ex-wife of Sylvester Stallone, and their opposites-attract pairing landed them their own spin-off: 2005's Strange Love. 'That was an amazing show and Brigitte Nielsen is one amazing person,' he said. 'She's very lovable, very kind and very sweet. We really had fun doing Strange Love because it was strange. You got a tall Danish blonde that's a model and a movie actor, and then you got the short, Black rapper. I'm 5'7', she's 6'2' [in] bare feet. [But] thanks to Brigitte, we made great television.' Their relationship didn't survive the season. Nielsen went to live with her Italian boyfriend (now husband) Mattia Dessì with whom she had a daughter in 2018 at age 54. As for Flav, VH1 handed him another series, Flavor of Love, a Bachelor-like show that brought the network big viewership for three seasons, from 2006 to 2008. 'I kind of reshaped and molded reality TV. There's been other shows like mine ... but they didn't do as well as mine,' said the perpetual hype man. 'That's because I'm the original. I was the first out the gate. The only one who can ever break my records is Flavor Flav.' He continued, 'What reality TV gave me was the power to be able to bring over 7 million people to my viewership. I've done it once and I can do it again.' There's been talk of a series around him pursuing his high school diploma. There's also a Flavor of Love reboot in the works, though not with him. These days, Flav's about using his fame for good causes. He was at the 2024 Olympics to hype the water polo team after signing a deal to sponsor the team for five years and provide financial support. He's currently looking into sponsoring the U.S. Olympic women's hockey team, saying, 'We're trying to put [a deal] together and get it done.' Last year he paid an athlete's rent when she couldn't. Since January, he's been fundraising for Black families who lost homes in the Los Angeles County wildfires, and recently passed the $150,000 mark. 'I am considered a mouthpiece to the world,' Flav said. 'I'm considered a leader. A lot of people do follow me and I try to do the right thing with my power … and not mislead people with my power.' He takes pride in using his life experience to help others, visiting jails, group homes and schools for many years to share 'the mistakes that I've made through life. … Because everybody makes mistakes,' said the performer, who is four years sober. 'Nobody's perfect. [Life is] going to always be a learning adventure.' Flav's passion for championing other artists is strong too. When asked about being a famous Swiftie — aka a fan of Taylor Swift — he corrects us, 'I am King Swiftie, thank you. And let me tell you, I didn't get that name from Taylor, I got it from the Swifties, [so it's] even more legitimate. The Swifties see how hard I go in for my girl.' He's happy to rattle off his favorite things about the pop songstress, who shouted him out at an 'Eras Tour' stop in Hamburg last year, praising her life-inspired lyrics and marveling at how she caused record-breaking seismic activity ('it hit the Richter scale, baby!'). 'I go in hard for Taylor — and that's because she's real, man,' he said. 'She's one of the most important artists of our time. I'm very proud of her. I'm happy for her with Travis [Kelce] — the whole nine.' He recently hung out with Jason Kelce at the Super Bowl, saying he's 'pretty cool people … he's got mad love for Flav.' Flav is bringing a lot of his signature enthusiasm to a new partnership with 5-Hour Energy timed to the start of daylight saving time on March 9. He helped create a mini bottle, 1-Hour Energy, to give people a boost who are tired from the time change. For the record, Flav only had a half-energy shot before our conversation, he said. 'A full one would have me on my way to Mars. I'm already full of energy,' he said. That he is.
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Public Enemy's Flavor Flav & Chuck D Visit Families Who Lost Their Homes in the L.A. Wildfires
Flavor Flav and Chuck D are going harder than you think to help out people affected by the devastating wildfires in California, with the Public Enemy duo visiting affected families and raising money with the Black Music Action Coalition this week. In a recent video shared by the organization on Instagram, BMAC founder and 2025 Billboard Power 100 honoree Prophet guides the two rappers through the Altadena area — one of several areas in Los Angeles County that was ravaged by the deadly blazes this month — introducing them to locals who lost their homes and possessions in the fires and showing off the community's relief efforts. Flav gives out hugs generously to the people he meets — including a young boy named Grayson, whose drum set was destroyed by the flames. More from Billboard Gracie Abrams Delivers a 'Love Letter to Los Angeles' With Moving FireAid Benefit Concert Set Lana Del Rey Is a Hidden Feature on The Weeknd's 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' P!nk Covers Janis Joplin & Led Zeppelin at FireAid Benefit Concert 'This was definitely needed,' Flav, who shared photos from the outing on Instagram, says at the end of the clip. 'I'm honored to be here. My heart goes out to everybody that lost homes, pets, all of that stuff — businesses and everything.' The next day, Public Enemy performed at the coalition's Jan. 29 ReStore & ReBuild LA Fundraiser — held in partnership with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis — as did Andra Day and Anthony Hamilton. In addition to rapping 'Fight the Power' for the crowd, Flav and Chuck D also presented Grayson and his mom, Terica Roberts, with $5,000, according to Variety. The outings come less than two weeks after Flav first teamed up with BMAC on wildfire relief efforts, partnering with the organization earlier this month to form a streamlined GoFundMe page benefiting hundreds of displaced Black households in the Pasadena/Altadena area. While announcing the endeavor on Jan. 20, Flav told followers on social media, 'There's not enough being done for the Black families and the communities … Come on, y'all. Let's make L.A. strong, baby. Let's help those in need.' Watch Public Enemy visit families in Altadena with BMAC below. Best of Billboard Chart Rewind: In 1989, New Kids on the Block Were 'Hangin' Tough' at No. 1 Janet Jackson's Biggest Billboard Hot 100 Hits H.E.R. & Chris Brown 'Come Through' to No. 1 on Adult R&B Airplay Chart
