Jim McIlvaine on Shawn Kemp, His Controversial Sonics Contract & Seattle's NBA Future

Thank you to our sponsors, Hunt's Services, No-Li Brewing, and Haselwood Auto Group. Join Iconic Sonics for a wide-ranging conversation with Jim McIlvaine about his journey to the NBA, his time with the Seattle SuperSonics, and the contract controversy that became linked to Shawn Kemp's departure. Jim reflects on his college career at Marquette and Washington, the business of NBA contracts, his experiences with multiple franchises, and what made Seattle's organization stand out. He shares stories about Scott Skiles, Detlef Schrempf, Gary Payton, and the culture inside the Sonics locker room, including the story behind the NBA's iconic Impala SS era. Plus, Jim reflects on the departure of the Sonics, Seattle's passionate fan base, and why he believes the city deserves its NBA team back. TIMESTAMPS 0:00 Intro + Jim McIlvaine Joins Iconic Sonics 0:49 Presented by Hunt's Services 1:23 Jim's College Basketball Journey at Marquette 3:30 Making the Sweet 16 and Playing at Marquette 5:00 Transferring to Washington and College Basketball Connections 7:00 The NBA Draft Process and Pre-Draft Workouts 9:30 Getting Drafted by Washington 11:30 Adjusting to the NBA and Finding His Role 13:30 The Importance of Choosing the Right Agent 15:00 Stories About Agents and the Business of Basketball 17:30 Early NBA Experiences and Summer League 19:30 The Sonics' First-Class Seats Story 21:00 Life Inside the Washington Locker Room 23:00 NBA Contracts, Free Agency, and the Timberwolves Offer 25:30 Comparing How NBA Franchises Treat Their Players 27:00 The Sonics' Facilities and Player Support 29:00 Seattle's Coaching Staff and the People Behind the Team 31:00 NBA Scouting Reports and Behind-the-Scenes Stories 32:30 Jim's Relationship With Shawn Kemp 33:30 The Contract Controversy and Shawn Kemp Leaving Seattle 35:00 The Market for NBA Centers and Jim's 1996 Contract 36:00 Why Jim Wanted to Play in Seattle 37:00 Shawn Kemp's Contract and the Changing NBA Market 39:00 Jim's Thoughts on Today's NBA 40:00 Would Jim Return to Seattle for a Sonics Game? 42:00 Detlef Schrempf, Hersey Hawkins, and Dale Ellis 43:30 Looking Back on Seattle's Successful Sonics Teams 45:00 Jim's Favorite Memories From His NBA Career 46:30 What Jim Is Doing Today 48:00 The Chevy Impala SS, Gary Payton, and Sonics Car Culture 50:00 The Story Behind Jim's Impala 52:00 Gary Payton, Impalas, and the Rise of Bubbles 53:00 Jim's Message to Seattle Sonics Fans 54:20 Closing Thoughts FOLLOW ICONIC SONICS Follow Iconic Sonics for more Sonics history, Seattle basketball stories, interviews, and NBA expansion coverage. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iconic_sonics/ X: https://x.com/Iconic_sonics/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iconic_sonics/ CREDITS Host: Danny Ball Executive Producer: Brett Goldberg Editor: Joseph Lipsen Post Production Supervisor: Madeline Down Music: Oblé Reed

Presented by Hunt's Services Sponsored by No-Li Brewhouse Detlef Schrempf joins Iconic Sonics for a wide-ranging conversation about Seattle basketball, his journey from the University of Washington to the NBA, and what it meant to return home and play for the Sonics. Detlef reflects on getting No. 22 retired at UW, legendary runs at Green Lake, becoming one of the NBA's first international stars, and the teammates and culture that shaped Seattle's 1990s teams. He shares stories about Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton, discusses his Hall of Fame perspective, the differences between American and international basketball development, and what a future Sonics return could mean for Seattle fans. Plus, a bonus conversation from Swinomish Casino & Lodge about sports betting in Washington. 0:00 Intro + Detlef Schrempf joins Iconic Sonics 2:08 Sonics teammates, flights, cards and road trips 4:17 Seattle basketball's underrated history 5:55 Detlef's favorite teammates and NBA practice players 6:50 Seattle's golf scene and Chambers Bay 8:09 Detlef's UW No. 22 retirement 10:33 Green Lake basketball and Seattle pickup culture 12:58 From UW to the NBA 15:19 Detlef as an early international NBA star 17:07 Returning home to Seattle 19:16 Playing alongside Shawn Kemp 20:51 Shawn Kemp and the Hall of Fame conversation 23:09 Detlef's place in NBA history 24:46 NBA expansion and the international game 29:00 International basketball fundamentals vs. the U.S. 32:00 Climate Pledge Arena and NBA readiness 34:00 Imagining the first Sonics game back in Seattle 35:00 Rebuilding Seattle's basketball community 36:00 Youth basketball, high schools and reconnecting generations 38:00 Detlef's potential role in the Sonics' future 39:57 Detlef's place in Seattle basketball 42:00 Bonus: Sports betting at Swinomish Casino & Lodge Instagram: @iconic_sonics X: @iconic_sonics TikTok: @iconic_sonics CREDITS Host: Danny Ball Executive Producer: Brett Goldberg Editor: Joseph Lipsen Post Production Supervisor: Madeline Down

Presented by Swinomish Casino & Lodge Sponsored by Hunt's Services Gary Payton, The Glove, joins Iconic Sonics for an unforgettable conversation about the Seattle SuperSonics, Shawn Kemp, the 1990s Sonics, his Hall of Fame career, and the future of basketball in Seattle. Danny Ball and Mike Gastineau sit down with one of the greatest players in Seattle sports history at Swinomish Casino & Lodge for a wide-ranging conversation covering everything from Gary's legendary partnership with Shawn Kemp to the 1996 NBA Finals, his battles with Michael Jordan and John Stockton, his journey into coaching, and his thoughts on the Sonics potentially returning to Seattle. Gary talks openly about his lifelong brotherhood with Shawn Kemp, why you can't mention The Glove without The Rain Man, what made their duo so difficult for opposing teams to stop, and why he believes Shawn belongs in the Basketball Hall of Fame. He also reflects on the 1996 Sonics team, the playoff run to the NBA Finals, playing against the Houston Rockets, his relationship with George Karl, learning from Julius Erving, his time with the Miami Heat, winning an NBA championship, and what he has learned from coaching the next generation of players. And with the NBA's expansion process moving forward, Gary shares his excitement about the possibility of the Sonics returning to Seattle and what it would mean to see the city's basketball history come back to life. A huge thank you to Swinomish Casino & Lodge for hosting us and for the incredible hospitality. 0:00 - Gary Payton Joins Iconic Sonics 2:38 - Is Gary Payton the Greatest Sonic Ever? 4:18 - Gary Makes His Case for Shawn Kemp's Hall of Fame 5:15 - The Glove & The Rain Man: A Brotherhood 7:00 - Will Gary Payton Be Involved When the Sonics Return? 8:30 - Why Gary Would Rather Build a Team Than Coach It 10:00 - Gary Payton on Coaching & Developing Young Players 12:45 - Why Today's NBA Players Don't Work Like They Used To 15:00 - The Coaches & Legends Who Changed Gary's Career 17:00 - How Walter Payton Helped Straighten Gary Out 19:00 - Eddie Johnson, Teammates & Learning to Grow Up 20:00 - The Story Behind Gary Payton's Iconic Glove 22:00 - Why Gary Thinks He's More Popular Now Than Ever 23:30 - Gary's Oakland Basketball Roots 25:00 - Gary Payton's Hide & Seek Strategy 😂 26:00 - Green Lake, Seattle Pickup & Talking Trash 27:30 - The Gary Payton Classic & Seattle's Basketball Culture 29:00 - Raising Jamal Crawford & Passing Down the Game 30:00 - The Legacy of Gary's Father, Al Payton 32:00 - Where Gary's Trash Talk Really Came From 33:00 - Why Gary Payton Wore No. 20 34:00 - Gary's Favorite Team to Play: The Houston Rockets 35:30 - The 1996 Rockets Sweep & The Finals Run 37:00 - Gary Payton's Final Championship in Miami 39:00 - John Stockton: The Player Gary Respected Most 40:30 - Gary's First Game Against Shawn Kemp in Cleveland 42:00 - What Gary Thinks Happened With Shawn Kemp 43:00 - Gary Payton Imagines Opening Night of the Sonics' Return 44:00 - "We're Going to Get It Back" | Gary's Final Message to Seattle CREDITS Behind the cameras: Wesley Holboy, owner of Holboy Entertainment Amirah Holboy, lead photographer for Holboy Entertainment Madeline Down, editing and production Michael Chang, production assistant and BTS footage Brett Goldberg, executive producer Mike Gastineau, guest host Danny Ball, host And, of course, Gary Payton. Thank you to everyone who helped make this episode happen, and to all the fans who came through and shared their stories. Follow Iconic Sonics for more conversations, stories and memories from Seattle basketball: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iconic_sonics/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iconic_sonics

On this episode of Iconic Sonics, Danny Ball sits down with former NBA players Antonio Davis and Eldridge Recasner to talk about their connections to Seattle, the legacy of the Sonics, Gary Payton, Green Lake, and their work with Legends of Basketball. Eldridge shares stories from his time at the University of Washington, playing pickup basketball at Green Lake and the people and places that helped shape his connection to Seattle. Antonio talks about growing up in Oakland, his lifelong connection with Gary Payton, and how that relationship helped shape his own basketball journey. The conversation also touches on the Legends of Basketball organization, the importance of giving former players opportunities to stay connected to the game and their communities, the Seattle Storm and WNBA, and passing the love of basketball down to the next generation. And, of course, we talk about the Sonics coming back. Antonio shares what he's hearing about a potential 2028-29 return, while both guys imagine what that first game back in Seattle could look and feel like. Plus, Eldridge gives a special shoutout to Dale Ellis, Xavier McDaniel and Tom Chambers, and makes the case for bringing some of those Sonics legends back to Seattle when the team returns. Subscribe to Iconic Sonics for more Seattle basketball stories, Sonics history and NBA expansion updates. On this episode of Iconic Sonics, Danny Ball sits down with former NBA players Antonio Davis and Eldridge Recasner to talk about their connections to Seattle, the legacy of the Sonics, Gary Payton, Green Lake, and their work with Legends of Basketball. Eldridge shares stories from his time at the University of Washington, playing pickup basketball at Green Lake and the people and places that helped shape his connection to Seattle. Antonio talks about growing up in Oakland, his lifelong connection with Gary Payton, and how that relationship helped shape his own basketball journey. The conversation also touches on the Legends of Basketball organization, the importance of giving former players opportunities to stay connected to the game and their communities, the Seattle Storm and WNBA, and passing the love of basketball down to the next generation. And, of course, we talk about the Sonics coming back. Antonio shares what he's hearing about a potential 2028-29 return, while both guys imagine what that first game back in Seattle could look and feel like. Plus, Eldridge gives a special shoutout to Dale Ellis, Xavier McDaniel and Tom Chambers, and makes the case for bringing some of those Sonics legends back to Seattle when the team returns. Subscribe to Iconic Sonics for more Seattle basketball stories, Sonics history and NBA expansion updates. Follow us: Instagram: @iconics_sonics  https://www.instagram.com/iconic_sonics/ TikTok: @iconics_sonics https://www.tiktok.com/@iconic_sonics Presented by Rise Above and The Edgewater Hotel. Music by Oble Reed https://www.instagram.com/oblereed/ 00:00 Intro + NBA Expansion Update 03:29 Antonio Davis & Eldridge Recasner Join the Show 04:34 What Does Seattle Basketball Mean to You? 08:27 Finding a Home in Seattle 11:31 Green Lake, Shawn Kemp & Seattle Pickup Basketball 13:28 Antonio Davis' Oakland Connection to Gary Payton 20:30 Eldridge Recasner's First Impressions of Gary Payton 23:00 The Oakland-to-Seattle Basketball Connection 24:30 Basketball Legends Who Inspired Them 27:00 From NBA Players to Legends of Basketball 30:30 Keeping the Sonics Spirit Alive 31:31 Antonio Davis' 2028-29 Sonics Prediction 33:31 Seattle Storm, WNBA & Passing the Torch 37:10 Who Should Be Courtside at the First Sonics Game? 38:18 Dale Ellis, Sonics Legends & the Return to Seattle 44:31 Xavier McDaniel, Tom Chambers & the Sonics' 1980s Era 45:52 The Mission of Legends of Basketball 47:12 Green Lake, Seattle & What's Next 48:43 Outro

Shawn Kemp sits down with Iconic Sonics for a conversation filled with stories from his playing days that you've probably never heard before. We talk about Shawn's case for the Basketball Hall of Fame, the story behind his iconic sneaker deal, some of his favorite memories from his career, his life in Seattle, and plenty more. We also brought in fans who had their own Shawn Kemp stories to share, making this a special celebration of one of the most beloved players in Seattle sports history. A huge thank you to Swinomish Casino & Lodge for hosting us and for the incredible hospitality. CREDITS Wesley Holboy, owner of Holboy Entertainment Amirah Holboy, lead photographer for Holboy Entertainment Madeline Down, editing and production Michael Chang, production assistant and BTS footage Brett Goldberg, executive producer Mike Gastineau, guest host Danny Ball, host And, of course, Shawn Kemp. Thank you to everyone who helped make this episode happen, and to all the fans who came through and shared their stories. Follow Iconic Sonics for more conversations, stories and memories from Seattle basketball: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iconic_sonics/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iconic_sonics  

Two of the most recognizable voices in sports broadcasting are together on Iconic Sonics. Kenny Mayne and Linda Cohn join Danny Ball for one of the funniest episodes we've ever recorded, sharing unforgettable stories from their journeys from Seattle to SportsCenter. From Linda's first live TV shot at a Seattle SuperSonics game to Kenny's signature humor, this episode is packed with laughs, nostalgia, and incredible behind-the-scenes stories. The conversation covers the magic of the SuperSonics, why Climate Pledge Arena is one of the NBA's premier venues, their favorite Sonics of all time, classic SportsCenter moments, what it would mean to bring the Sonics back to Seattle, and an entertaining fantasy draft where they build the ultimate 3-on-3 basketball team using ESPN, NBA, and WNBA personalities. If you love Seattle sports, SportsCenter memories, or simply want to hear Kenny Mayne keep everyone laughing, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Be sure to check out Hoops on the Pier presented by Rise Above from July 31st to Aug. 2nd! Hosted by Danny Ball (@itsdannyball) Edited by @pnw_rollers Produced by Brett Goldberg Guests: Linda Cohn & Kenny Mayne Follow Iconic Sonics: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iconic_sonics/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@iconic_sonics

Former Seahawk, CBS host, lifelong Sonics fan and Seattle native Nate Burleson joins Iconic Sonics to relive some incredible Seattle sports memories. Danny Ball is joined by special guest co-host West Coast Willie, whose deep knowledge of Seattle sports helps bring out some unbelievable stories from Nate. Nate shares stories about growing up as a diehard Sonics fan, meeting Xavier McDaniel and Dale Ellis as a kid, buying season tickets after signing with the Seahawks, watching Kevin Durant's rookie season from just a few rows off the court, and why Gary Payton remains one of his all-time favorite athletes. He also takes us behind the scenes of the Seahawks with stories about Mike Holmgren, Dion Branch, Randy Moss, Mike Tice, Walter Jones, Brett Favre, and the motivation that fueled one of the best seasons of his NFL career. Plus: Why LeBron James is his GOAT The 1996 NBA Finals Seattle's underrated sports culture His dream of becoming part of the Sonics ownership group Why he believes Seattle never gets the respect it deserves Presented by Everett 3 on 3.

Presented by Everett 3 on 3 Seattle basketball reporter Percy Allen joins the Iconic Sonics Podcast for a conversation that spans the past, present and future of hoops in the Pacific Northwest. We look back at the 2008 NBA Draft, the final draft in SuperSonics history, and revisit the selection of Russell Westbrook with the fourth overall pick. Percy also shares his perspective on the Sonics leaving Seattle 18 years ago, what that moment was like to cover and how the city has continued to rally around basketball ever since. We also dive into the latest around the Seattle Storm, the local basketball scene and where Seattle hoops stands today. This episode is presented by Everett 3 on 3, one of the Northwest's premier basketball tournaments. Grab your friends, build your squad and sign up to compete! Follow us on social: Instagram: @iconic_sonics X: @iconic_sonics TikTok: @iconic_sonics  

On this episode of Iconic Sonics, Danny Ball sits down with longtime NBA executive, agent, and Summer League pioneer Warren LeGarie for an unforgettable conversation packed with Seattle basketball history. Before the interview, Danny reacts to Adam Silver's comments on expansion before the start of the NBA Finals and discusses why Melinda French Gates joining One Roof Sports & Entertainment could be a major step toward NBA expansion returning to Seattle. Then Warren shares stories from across his legendary career, including how George Karl unexpectedly became head coach of the Seattle SuperSonics, why Shawn Kemp lived with him before entering the NBA, the culture that made Seattle one of the league's favorite cities, and how NBA Summer League grew into one of basketball's biggest annual events. Plus, Warren weighs in on NBA expansion, Las Vegas vs. Seattle, what makes a great owner, and why the Sonics still belong in the NBA. Follow us on social: X: https://x.com/Iconic_sonics IG: https://www.instagram.com/iconic_sonics/

Danny Ball is joined by Alex and Ciara from Flagrant Magazine for one of the most fun episodes of Iconic Sonics yet. Before getting into WNBA predictions and storylines, Danny highlights a cool Seattle basketball connection: both teams in the NBA Finals feature former Seattle SuperSonics players on their coaching staffs, proving the Sonics legacy continues to show up throughout the league. The crew previews the WNBA season with early predictions and hot takes, debates MVP and Rookie of the Year races, talks Paige Bueckers, expansion teams, tunnel fits, and the latest from Flagrant Magazine. Expect hoops takes, social media nonsense, WNBA discourse and plenty of moments that completely go off the rails. Subscribe to Flagrant Mag: https://www.flagrantmag.com/ Subscribe to Iconic Sonics for more Sonics content, Seattle basketball stories and interviews. Follow us on social: IG: https://www.instagram.com/iconic_sonics/ X: https://x.com/Iconic_sonics