Kevin Calabro on Sonics Nicknames, His Mount Rushmore & Favorite Calls

Danny Ball is joined by Kevin Calabro, the iconic voice of the Seattle Sonics and current play-by-play announcer for the Portland Trail Blazers, shares his journey through the world of sports broadcasting. He reflects on his influences, memorable calls, and the evolution of basketball, particularly the rise of the three-point shot. Calabro discusses the future of the Trail Blazers under new ownership, the legacy of the Sonics, and the potential for NBA basketball to return to Seattle. He also addresses the changing landscape of NBA media and expresses hope for the future of basketball in the region. This episode is presented by Warrior Injury Law and Epic Seats.

First, Danny quickly covers the sale of the Trail Blazers as well as recaps an already super busy Seattle Summer full of hoops. Then he's joined by Jason Quick, a senior writer at The Athletic, who shares his extensive experience covering the NBA, particularly in Portland. He reflects on his journey from covering the Blazers for over 25 years to focusing on human interest stories in sports. The discussion delves into the historical rivalry between the Blazers and the Seattle Sonics, the impact of the Sonics' departure from Seattle, and concerns about team relocation in the NBA. Quick also shares insights on the current state and future of the Blazers, including their recent offseason moves and the excitement surrounding the return of Damian Lillard. Additionally, he discusses upcoming human interest stories he is working on and shares nostalgic anecdotes from the Sonics era.   Follow us on IG for more: https://www.instagram.com/iconic_sonics/

Danny starts with his notes from Vegas and his takeaways from Adam Silver's annoucnemet that the NBA is exploring expansion. Who he talked to, what he heard and what to expect. Next, he interviews Nick Lagios shares his journey in international basketball, focusing on his experiences in Mexico City as a general manager and his insights into the growth of basketball in the region. He discusses the challenges and opportunities of introducing basketball to a market dominated by soccer and baseball, the differences in coaching styles between the NBA and international leagues, and the potential for NBA expansion into Mexico. Lagios emphasizes the importance of cultural perspectives in sports and the rising interest in basketball in Mexico, highlighting the passion of fans and the talent present in local leagues.  Follow us on IG for the latest news on NBA expansion: https://www.instagram.com/iconic_sonics/ SPONSORED BY Simply Seattle Shop Sonics gear here: https://www.simplyseattle.com/collections/seattle-supersonics

Danny Ball sits down with Chris Gunther, from Charting Hoops to discuss their latest collaboration; an analytical and cultural breakdown of how talented the NBA is currently. With the upcoming meetings between team owners in Vegas we wanted to talk about the talent dilution that would take place and this conversation covers everything from deep analytical stats, Instagram follower count to guys' you might not know had a signature shoe. Be sure to check out Charting Hoops and read the full breakdown here: https://chartinghoops.substack.com/p/nba-talent-show Follow us on IG for the latest news on NBA expansion: https://www.instagram.com/iconic_sonics/  

Hall of Fame NBA reporter David Aldridge joins host Danny Ball for a deep dive into the history and future of the league. They kick things off with a look back at the Washington Bullets’ 1978 title win over the Seattle SuperSonics and the ripple effects of franchise relocations since. From economic hurdles to expansion politics, Aldridge unpacks what it really takes for a team to move...or return.  Follow us on IG: @iconic_sonics

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.