Finals Reaction, Sonics vs. Thunder and Lenny Wilkens' Statue with Dave 'Softy' Mahler

The Thunder are NBA champions and Dave 'Softy' Mahler has a lot to say about it. Kids cover your ears and Sonics fans (of age) listen up! The KJR 93.3 radio host talked with Danny Ball about the Finals, possible Sonics & Thunder rivalry, NBA expansion, and the recent announcement of Lenny Wilkens being honored with a statue in front of Climate Pledge Arena. Follow us on IG: @iconic_sonics Sponsored by Epic Seats Presented by Simply Seattle

NBA Champ and former Sonic, Jeff Green is back and he chatted with us about the upcoming Finals matchup between the Pacers and Thunder. He also told us about his "Welcome to the NBA" moment having to guard Kobe under the bright lights. Plus, he shared about his relationship with KD, Nick Collison and Russell Westbrook. Follow us on IG: @iconic_sonics Sponsored by Swinomish Casino & Lodge, with all odds powered by their brand-new BetRivers Sportsbook.  Please gamble responsibly. For help you can call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gamblerchat.org. For in-state resources contact Washington Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-547-6133 or visit their website at evergreencpg.org.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver gave fresh insight into league expansion last week — we break down what he said and what it means for Seattle. With the Trail Blazers officially up for sale, we dig into how that might affect the timeline (and politics) of the Sonics’ return. Plus, back by popular demand: NBA Movie Character Comparisons, Part 2 — featuring SGA as Neo, Haliburton as Luke Skywalker, and more cinematic takes you didn’t know you needed. Follow us on IG: @iconic_sonics Sponsored by Swinomish Casino & Lodge, with all odds powered by their brand-new BetRivers Sportsbook.  Please gamble responsibly. For help you can call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gamblerchat.org. For in-state resources contact Washington Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-547-6133 or visit their website at evergreencpg.org.

On this special NBA Playoff edition of 3 Things To Know, host Danny Ball breaks down Adam Silver’s latest comments on expansion and what they could mean for Seattle’s hopes. Plus, Danny gives his updated playoff picks now that the first round is over, shares a spicy same game parlay for Wolves vs. Warriors, and wraps things up by comparing NBA stars to iconic movie characters. From Legally Blonde to the league’s future and The Town to the second round, this episode has it all. Follow us on IG: @iconic_sonics Sponsored by Swinomish Casino & Lodge, with all odds powered by their brand-new BetRivers Sportsbook.  Please gamble responsibly. For help you can call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gamblerchat.org. For in-state resources contact Washington Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-547-6133 or visit their website at evergreencpg.org.

On September 25, 1997, one of the most shocking trades in NBA history included Seattle SuperSonics legend Shawn Kemp, traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers, and rising star Vin Baker going to the Pacific Northwest. More than two decades later, these two former All-Stars sat down together for the first time to reflect on that pivotal moment in their careers. In this exclusive episode, recorded live from Seattle's Edgewater Hotel in February 2025, Kemp and Baker talk about the day of the trade, what it felt like to be swapped for one another and how their careers unfolded in the years since. They share behind-the-scenes stories about going head-to-head on the court, their experiences playing in front of the passionate Seattle crowd, and how the trade shaped their legacies. The conversation also dives deep into their personal journeys, including battles with addiction, the path to recovery, and life after basketball. They talk about what they’re up to now, including Vin’s work with the Milwaukee Bucks and the Recovery Centers he’s opening—starting in Wisconsin—to support others on their own healing journeys. Special thanks to The Edgewater Hotel for hosting us, and to the Swinomish Casino and Lodge for sponsoring this conversation. This episode was co-produced with our friends at Converge Media. And of course, thank you to Seattle NBA Fans, our additional partners and the entire Seattle hoops community for riding together with us as we continue this journey toward the eventual return of the NBA to the Emerald City.

In this episode of "3 Things," Danny Ball breaks down the 2025 NBA Play-In Tournament and first-round matchups with bold picks, spicy takes, and a few Coach Carter references for good measure. We kick things off with the state of the basketball scene in the Pacific Northwest, followed by a quick recap of the regular season, then we fly through every first round series — East to West. This episode is sponsored by our friends, the Swinomish Casino & Lodge, with all odds powered by their brand-new BetRivers Sportsbook. Please gamble responsibly. For help you can call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gamblerchat.org. For in-state resources contact Washington Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-547-6133 or visit their website at evergreencpg.org.

Seattle sports reporter Tim Booth joins Danny Ball to talk about his experiences at the NBA Board of Governors meeting this week and Adam Silver’s subsequent press conference. He breaks down what the Commissioner said in his answer to The Question. Plus, they talk NBA expansion league in Europe, Tim's recent meeting with Shawn Kemp and Vin Baker, a timeline for the Sonics first game and more!  Tim’s article for the Seattle Times about the league’s possible expansion is out now. And here's his recent article about Shawn and Vin. Be sure to follow us on social media & go Sonics!

Brian Windhorst from ESPN stops by to talk about the timeline for NBA expansion, his love for the Pacific Northwest and if Kevin Durant will finish his career in Seattle.   3 Things You Need To Know with Danny Ball is a short form show that aims to keep fans informed about the latest news on NBA expansion and the potential return of the Seattle Sonics.  Thanks to our partners who make this possible: Rise Above, the Swinomish Casino and Lodge, the Edgewater, Simply Seattle, Epic Seats and the Hall Group. And to our Team who produces these episodes: Danny Ball, Trevor Bond, Ciella Sfirri, Allena Rouse, Cory Jackson and Brett Goldberg.  

Jason "Puck" Puckett hosts Iconic Sonics here from the SixSeven restaurant in the Edgewater Hotel. He's joined by former Sonic, Rashard Lewis, who made a visit to town this month to attend the Rain City NBA preseason game. Puck and Sweet Lew discuss when Rashard was drafted by the Sonics in '98, his decade in Seattle, his relationships with former teammates Gary Payton and Ray Allen, leaving in '07 and what he's up to today.     You can check out Puck's daily show at pucksports.com or on X and Instagram. And be sure to check out all Iconic Sonics episodes, if you haven't previously, wherever you get your audio and on X, Instagram, Threads and YouTube.     Thanks to the Edgewater Hotel for making this episode possible as well as our long-time partners Simply Seattle, Epic Seats, Rise Above, the Hall Group and Swinomish Casino and Lodge. Thanks, too, to the Seattle Storm, Climate Pledge Arena and the Kraken for their support and hospitality during our visit to Seattle with Rashard Lewis this month!  

3 Things You Need To Know with Danny Ball is a short form show that aims to keep fans informed about the latest news on NBA expansion and the potential return of the Seattle Sonics.   This episode covers the latest on the Warner vs. NBA lawsuit about media rights, potential conference realignment and how the sale of the Boston Celtics is related to the return of the Sonics.   Thanks to our partners who make this possible: Rise Above, the Swinomish Casino and Lodge, the Edgewater, Simply Seattle, Epic Seats and the Hall Group. And to our Team who produces these episodes: Danny Ball, Trevor Bond, Ciella Sfirri, Allena Rouse, Cory Jackson and Brett Goldberg