Iconic Sonics

Nate McMillan, AKA Mr. Sonic or Mac10, joins the Show for a second time and a first time as part of our special series, Iconic Sonics City Edition. Nate sat down with Omari Salisbury in the Black Media Matters studio during a recent visit to Seattle. They talk here about Nate's connection to the Emerald City, some of his closest relationships in Seattle and and his history with the Black community in town. Mac10 and Omari also discuss his new foundation, the Nate McMillan Foundation, and if he envisions being a part of the future Sonics organization. Thanks to Iconic Sonic Season 5 partners Rise Above, the Edgewater Hotel, Simply Seattle, Epic Seats, the Hall and Swinomish Casino and Lodge. Plus Converge Media, Seattle Magazine and the Nate McMillan Foundation. This episode was produced in partnership with Converge. You can check out the video edition at: https://www.youtube.com/@ConvergeMedia/videos. You can learn more about Nate's new foundation here: https://www.natemcmillanfoundation.org/  The team behind this production included Brett Goldberg, Omari Salisbury, Ciella Sfirri, Allena Rouse, Cory Jackson, Trevor Bond, Danny Ball, Ike Everard and Besa Gordon.

Things are warming up regarding the Sonics anticipated return and Guest Hosts Brian Robinson and KOMO's Chris Daniels kick off the season with an episode of our new series, Iconic Sonic News.  Brian and Chris discuss relevant NBA expansion topics, including recent Sonics mentions from Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell. Iconic Sonic Executive Producer Brett Goldberg also joins the Episode briefly in order to help kick things off this season. Thanks to all our Season 5 partners including Rise Above, Epic Seats, the Edgewater Hotel, Simply Seattle, the Hall and Swinomish Casino and Lodge.Plus Converge Media, Seattle Magazine and the Nate McMillan Foundation! This Episode was produced by Brett Goldberg, Allena Rouse, Cory Jackson, Trevor Bond and Danny Ball.  It was edited by Ciella Sfirri. 

Gary Payton makes a return appearance on Iconic Sonics for the Season Finale.  The Glove discusses his active coaching career, his love and connection to Seattle and Oakland, his new partnership with George Karl and Truth+Media and more. Thanks to all our Season 4 partners and partners on this episode starting with our Title Partner, Rise Above, and continuing with Epic Seats, Swinomish Casino and Lodge, the Queen Anne Beer Hall, Simply Seattle, the Edgewater Hotel and Seattle Magazine! 

Blaine native, Pacific Northwest legend and former Sonic Luke Ridnour joins the Show to reconnect with Mike Gastineau.  Luke and Mike talk about former Sonic teammates including Ray Allen, Jeff Green, Rashard Lewis, Nick Collison, Vladimir Radmanovic and his former NBA coaches including Nate McMillian, Scott Skiles and Rick Adelman. They also discuss what Luke is up to now, including serving as the father and the hoops coach for his six sons. He shares too how he thinks about the NBA today and the hopeful return of the NBA to his home state.   Thanks to our partners Rise Above, Epic Seats, Swinomish Casino and Lodge, the Queen Anne Beer Hall, Simply Seattle, the Edgewater Hotel and Seattle Magazine for helping make this episode possible.       

Former Sonic, Vin Baker, joins the Show to talk about his time in Seattle and what he's up to now in Milwaukee.  Recorded with Vin in Greece, who is working out this summer with the Antetokounmpo brothers, Baker discusses his experience as a Sonic and his relationships with guys including Gary Payton and Michael Jordan.  He also talks candidly about his experiences with alcoholism and his 13 years of sobriety. This Episode is presented by Rise Above, Epic Seats, Swinomish Casino and Lodge, the Queen Anne Beer Hall, Simply Seattle, the Edgewater Hotel and Seattle Magazine. 

We're joined in this Episode by Jeff Green, one of two active NBA players who formerly played for the Seattle SuperSonics.  Uncle Jeff joins us on the eve of the NBA Western Conference Finals to discuss his career, his time in Seattle, Kevin Durant and what he's looking forward to in the weeks and years ahead.  This Episode is presented by Rise Above, Epic Seats, Swinomish Casino and Lodge, the Queen Anne Beer Hall, Simply Seattle, the Edgewater Hotel and Seattle Magazine!  

Recorded live at the Edgewater Hotel a few weeks back, we're joined here by icons Lenny Wilkens, Spencer Hawes, Sandy Gregory and Show Host, Mike Gastineau.  The group discusses several topics from the Seattle sports community including the Odessa Brown Children's Clinic, Rise Above, the recently created Sonics Legends Fund and more.    In particular, the Legends Fund has been helping iconic Sonics Gus Williams and Slick Watts with medical treatment and health services.  Visit more about the Fund at https://www.sonicslegendsfund.org/   Thanks to Rise Above, the Edgewater, Seattle Magazine and all our partners for their support of this Episode.  

Today on Iconic Sonics, we’re joined by Guest Host Chris Daniels and Guest Kurt Badenhausen, a sports valuation reporter at Sportico and former senior editor at Forbes.  On the Show we dive into NBA expansion talk, how the new collective bargaining agreement will affect players and owners alike and what a $75 Billion media rights deal might look like. This Episode is presented by Rise Above, Epic Seats, Swinomish Casino & Lodge, the Queen Anne Beer Hall, Simply Seattle, Seattle Magazine and the Edgewater Hotel.

The 2000 NCAA National Champ and former Sonic, Mateen Cleaves, joins the Show with Host Mike Gastineau and Guest Host Alyssa Charlston.  With this year's NCAA Final Four upon us, Mateen, Mike and Alyssa walk back his championship year at Michigan State and break down the state of college hoops today. We also revisit Mateen’s time in Seattle and talk about the players, coaches and fans that helped shape his NBA career. This Episode is presented by Rise Above as well as Epic Seats, Swinomish Casino & Lodge, the Queen Anne Beer Hall, Simply Seattle, Seattle Magazine and the Edgewater Hotel.

Recorded LIVE from the Queen Anne Beer Hall in Seattle, Guest Host Alyssa Charlston is joined by Hall of Fame Coach George Karl, Sonics legend Dale Ellis and broadcaster extraordinaire Kenny Mayne.  The group walks down memory lane talking about the great years in Sonics history and the even greater players coming out of the Emerald City.  They also go into what will happen when the team comes back, what the fans mean to the team and the city, and how the NBA returning to Seattle might happen sooner than we think! This Episode is presented by Rise Above as well as Epic Seats, Dicks Drive In, the Queen Anne Beer Hall, Simply Seattle, Seattle Magazine and the Edgewater Hotel.

Recorded from Seattle’s iconic Edgewater Hotel, Mike Gastineau and Chris Daniels sit down with the Co-Chair and Co-Owner of the NHL's Seattle Kraken, Samantha Holloway. Join us for a candid discussion as we talk with Samantha about her leadership role with the Kraken and how her Ownership group is thinking about the return of the Sonics.  We also review what’s happening in and around Climate Pledge Arena and what the fans and community are doing to continue to fight for the teams’ return. This Episode is presented by Rise Above as well as Epic Seats, Dicks Drive-In, the Queen Anne Beer Hall, Simply Seattle and the Edgewater Hotel.

Whether it was as a player, a coach or an executive in the league, Rod Thorn is a name synonymous with excellence in the NBA. Drafted in May 1967 by the expansion Seattle SuperSonics from the St. Louis Hawks in the NBA expansion draft, He would go on to success in the emerald city and conclude his career as a player there.  Also known as the ‘Man who drafted Michael Jordan’, Thorn spent decades in the league and has left a permanent imprint on the game today.  Join us with the Naismith Hall of Famer as we walk through his career, his impact on the game and the love he continues to have for basketball. This Episode is presented by Rise Above as well as Epic Seats, Dicks Drive In, the Queen Anne Beer Hall, Simply Seattle and the Edgewater Hotel.

Will Conroy, associate Head Coach at the University of Washington and member of the Huskies staff since 2015, joins Iconic Sonics to talk with Mike Gastineau about his Seattle roots. Will remembers what it was like to be a kid during the ’96 Sonics championship run in Seattle, what growing up with an NBA team meant to him, and talks about what he and his friends (including Seattle legend Jamal Crawford) do every year to grow and strengthen the impressive Seattle basketball youth community. This Episode is presented by Rise Above as well as Epic Seats, Dicks Drive In, the Queen Anne Beer Hall, Simply Seattle and the Edgewater Hotel.

Kendall Gill joins Guest Host Chris Daniels to discuss his run in Seattle with the Sonics in the mid 90s.  The 15 year NBA vet also discusses his excellent college career including his first trip to Seattle for the '89 Final Four, his defensive prowess in the League and his post playing days, including boxing and broadcasts for the Chicago Bulls.    In particular, Kendall goes deep on his mental health suffering throughout his NBA career and how depression and headaches led to extreme suffering on and off the court.  He also discusses his relationship with other Sonics and Coach George Karl during that chapter in Seattle.    This Episode is presented by Rise Above as well as Epic Seats, Dicks Drive In, the Queen Anne Beer Hall, Simply Seattle and the Edgewater Hotel.    

Check out this special short episode from our sister podcast, Run It Back, hosted by college hoops great Mateen Cleaves and Josh Barnett from 19Nine.  This week we had Seattle native and 2013 NCAA Champion from the Louisville Cardinals, Peyton Siva on the show.  Listen to hear what he had to say about the Emerald City, his basketball time in the PNW and why players from Seattle bring something special to the court! The Episode is produced by Truth+Media and presented by 19Nine.  Thanks to Victory as well.  Visit truthplusmedia.com, 19nine.com and wearevictory.com  for more!  

Hall of Fame sports journalist David Aldridge joins us for this episode of Iconic Sonics. David, Host Mike Gastineau and Guest Host Chris Daniels discuss the factors that should lead to the return of the Sonics, including the media rights deal, other sports team sales and the Collective Bargaining Agreement. They also discuss how the NBA is evaluating the Seattle Kraken's success, the Crawsover’s popularity and the League's relationship with the Oak View Group. This episode is presented by Rise Above and brought to you by Epic Seats, Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-in, Simply Seattle and the Edgewater Hotel.    For more on this episode visit Truthplusmedia.com.     For the recent video of our interview with Mark Cuban, check out this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2EnftB3HOw&t=17s   And for more of David Aldridge's work with The Athletic, visit: https://theathletic.com/author/david-aldridge/

Big Smooth joins host Mike Gastineau for a thoughtful, fun trip through Sam's 17 year NBA career.  The two spend time discussing what he’s up to these days with the NBA, his recent visit to Seattle and memories from the Emerald City in the 90s.  Sam also shares stories about his time and relationships with iconic basketball figures Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. This episode is presented by Rise Above as well as Epic Seats, Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In, Simply Seattle and the Edgewater Hotel.   

Mark Cuban, Owner of the Dallas Mavericks for 20 years, was one of two NBA owners to vote against the relocation of the Sonics to OKC in 2008.  In this Special Interview with Executive Producer Brett Goldberg, Mark talks about the potential opportunity for the return of the NBA to Seattle.  Iconic Sonics is Presented by Rise Above and brought to you by Epic Seats, Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-in, The Edgewater Hotel and Simply Seattle.  

This LIVE episode was recorded in October 2022 from the Edgewater Hotel in Seattle.  Host Mike Gastineau sits down for an intimate discussion with new Hall of Fame coach, George Karl, and is then joined by new Season 4 Guest Host, Chris Daniels. George reflects on his new Hall of Fame Enshrinement as well as his current perspectives on the return of the Sonics and his love for Seattle.  He also discusses growing up in Pittsburgh and his new documentary about the ABA hoops league of the 70s.     Chris then talks with Gas and Brett Goldberg about the timetable for the return of the Sonics and how the CBA and media rights deals will affect NBA expansion.  He also shares his thoughts on pro ball in Las Vegas, Jamal Crawford’s influence on Seattle hoops and more.  This episode is presented by Rise Above as well as Epic Seats, Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Simply Seattle, Dicks Drive-In and the Edgewater Hotel.  

This special LIVE episode was recorded prior to the Clippers-Blazers preseason game in October 2022.  It was recorded in front of a packed crowd at the Queen Anne Beer Hall, just three blocks away from the Climate Pledge Arena.     Host Mike Gastineau is joined by Coach George Karl and Seattle icon, Detlef Schrempf.  The three discuss the status of NBA expansion, the 90s Sonics and Detlef's position amongst all time European greats.     This episode is presented by Rise Above as well as Epic Seats, the Edgewater Hotel, Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Simply Seattle and Dicks Drive In.