Episodes
This special LIVE episode is a ‘rewatchable’ event of the Sonics Game 7 victory against the Utah Jazz during the 1996 Western Conference Finals.  It's a top 3 game in Sonics basketball history and holds a special place in the hearts of all Seattle hoops fans who experienced it.   Host Mike Gastineau is joined by Coach George Karl, Shawn Kemp, Gary Payton and Kevin Calabro and the episode was recorded in front of hundreds of Sonics fans on May 27th at the Dicks Drive In Queen Anne. This...
Published 06/13/22
Seattle radio legend Dave "The Groz" Grosby joins his old partner-in-crime Mike Gastineau on this episode of Iconic Sonics to talk about the team they love and the town they covered for nearly two decades. Here, Groz and Gas talk about the past, present and future of the Seattle Sonics and look ahead at the potential return of the team to the PNW. This episode is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-in and the Run Freely Foundation.
Published 05/25/22
Seattle businessman Chris Ackerley joins the Show to talk basketball, the Sonics and the Kraken. The son of the former Sonics owner, Chris shares memories of the team in the 80s and 90s and discusses the potential return of the NBA to Seattle. This episode is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely.
Published 05/11/22
Mike Gastineau and Co-Host Eldridge Recasner are joined by Haitian born NBA player Olden Polynice who played center for the Seattle SuperSonics, LA Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Sacramento Kings, and Utah Jazz. On the show we discuss Olden's time playing in Seattle, the role of the "Big Man" (then and now) and how his transition to coaching has allowed him to stay in the game and teach the next generation how to play basketball both mentally and physicially. This episode is presented by...
Published 04/27/22
Senior NBA writer for ESPN and Andscape (formerly the Undefeated), Marc Spears joins us, along with newly inducted Hall of Fame coach George Karl, for a conversation on the state of the NBA, how the media now interacts with the sport and the status of hoops in Seattle. This episode is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-in and the Run Freely Foundation.
Published 04/20/22
Seven year NBA player and former Sonic Jim McIlvaine joins the Show to discuss his time in Seattle and his hoops career. A defensive specialist and standout at Marquette, Jim shares illuminating stories about his time in Seattle, including the circumstances around Shawn Kemp. This episode is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-in and the Run Freely Foundation.
Published 04/13/22
Sonics legend James Donaldson is our guest as we walk through his career in the NBA, being drafted by and playing for the Sonics, the era of the "Big Man" and how he's now focused on mental health awareness and breaking it's stigma in sports. This is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely.
Published 04/06/22
We welcome to the show Derrick McKey who started his basketball career in small town Meridian Mississippi, played 3 years at the University of Alabama and ended up playing in the NBA for 15 years (6 with the Sonics). We also welcome our new co-host for the show, Eldridge Recasner (Iconic Sonics Ep. 33) who along with Mike Gastineau talk to Derrick on his long and successful career, the origin his nickname "Heavy D", and playing against Michael Jordan and the '98 Bulls. This is presented by...
Published 03/30/22
Former Sonic Detlef Schrempf (aka The Grand Teuton) joins the show to give us some insight into what it was like to play on the '96 NBA Finals team, being one of the first NCAA players from Europe, dunking in rec leagues between NBA games, and his future in Seattle basketball. This is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely.
Published 03/23/22
With sports gambling now being HUGE in professional sports and becoming more and more popular every day, we invited gambling expert Bran Feinberg and marketing/creative guru Saul Spady on the show to talk about best bets, tricks of the trade and how to not lose all your money on in-game betting! This is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely.
Published 03/09/22
Talk about ICONIC! Spencer Haywood joins us again to talk about his years in the NBA and time playing for the Sonics. We also get into the 15th anniversary of his jersey retirement in Seattle and his lasting effect on the game of basketball, largely due to his legal case vs the NBA 50 years ago. This is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely.
Published 03/02/22
Although never a Sonic, he was an NBA fixture for years and one of the great players at University of Washington. Eldridge Recasner joins the show to talk about his friend Gary Payton, playing in Taiwan with Shawn Kemp and how a cocky George Karl devised an illegal defense to guard Hakeem Olajuwon in the 90's. This is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely.
Published 02/23/22
Feed the Hawk! Sonics star Hersey Hawkins joins Mike Gastineau and the Show to discuss his time in Seattle in the 90s. They recall playing with Shawn, Gary, Nate and others, the '96 playoffs and what Hersey is up to these days. Coach Karl joins a portion of the episode to share memories of his time together with Hersey. This is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely.
Published 02/16/22
Broadcasting legend Kenny Mayne joins the show for a second time to dig into all things Sonics history, the new world of legal sports gambling and how an injury in college led Kenny to start an organization that is helping veterans and others walk pain-free again. This is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely.
Published 02/09/22
Tod Leiweke, part-owner, president and CEO of the Seattle Kraken joins the show today to talk about the Sonics, Seattle and Sports in the PNW. Go behind the scenes with us at Climate Pledge Arena, catch up on the NHL’s hottest new team and get the inside scoop on the Sonics returning to the city. This is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely.
Published 02/02/22
We welcome Francis Williams (legendary Seattle Coach) and Danny O'Neil (local Seattle writer) to the Show to talk about the 90's Sonics, Ray Allen's sharpshooting and the trade for GP, how LeBron has changed the game and what 'The Last Dance' taught us about media in the game. This is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely.
Published 01/26/22
Frank Brickowski joins the show today to talk his about his two stints with the Sonics, shooting Coach George Karl in the face with a paintball gun, all night gambling sessions with Michael Jordan and how he helped Seattle make it to the 1996 NBA Finals against the Chicago Bulls. This is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely.
Published 01/19/22
Our friends "Mix" and Jason Finn from 'The Presidents of The United States of America' join the show today to talk about the team that was so important to them, the music that influenced and included the Sonics family, and what those golden years of the team meant to the city and the fans. They also talk about NBA expansion and what it means when the Sonics return. This is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely.  
Published 01/12/22
In this episode, Host Mike Gastineau is joined by David Locke, radio voice of the Utah Jazz and a former Seattle media broadcaster. David is also the CEO of the Locked On Network. Mike and David discuss today's NBA and where the League is headed. They also talk about NBA expansion and where the League may consider new teams. This is presented by Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely.
Published 12/29/21
In the first episode of the new season, Host Mike Gastineau is joined by Seattle Hoops legend Spencer Hawes and Chris Daniels of King5 TV. The three talk about the latest developments in the pending return of the Sonics, including the recent dedication of Lenny Wilkens Way. They also discuss Seattle's new arena, Sue Bird and the Storm and more. This is presented by Swinomish Casino, Dicks Drive-In and RunFreely. This episode is dedicated to Frank Furtado, the long-time trainer of the Seattle...
Published 12/22/21
Brent Barry, AKA Bones, joins the Show for the final episode of Season 2. Brent shares great stories and memories from his five years with the Sonics as well as his '96 Slam Dunk championship and two championships with the Spurs. This is a "can't miss" discussion for any Sonics fan so check it out plus all other Show episodes at sonicsforever.com.
Published 06/16/21
Ricky Pierce, Big Paper Daddy, joins the Show to discuss his time as a member of the Sonics in the early '90s. The former All-Star also talks with Gas about other highlights of his successful hoops career, memories of Seattle and his new business, Accushot22. Visit sonicsforever.com for more on this episode and accushot22.com for more on Ricky's basketball venture.
Published 06/09/21
Vernon Maxwell, Mad Max, joins the Show to recall his playing days against the Sonics and joining the team in the late '90s. Vernon also talks about his championships with the Rockets, favorite memories of Seattle, Twitter wars with Utah and ambitions to get into broadcasting. Visit sonicsforever.com for more on this episode and many others.
Published 06/02/21
New York Times columnist, Kurt Streeter, joins Sonics Forever to talk about his memories from Seattle and with the team. The long-time journalist discusses the '70s and '80s Sonics with Gas, his father playing with Elgin Baylor, Bill Russell coming to Seattle as a coach for the Sonics and more. Visit sonicsforever.com for more on this episode and other great ones!
Published 05/26/21
Recorded live from Dick's Drive-In in Seattle, George Karl, Coby Karl and Trader Bob Whitsitt join this episode of Sonics Forever. The three talk with the Gas Man about memories from George and Coby's seven years in town, Bob's imprint on the '80s and '90s Sonics and the encouraging momentum for a return of the team.
Published 05/19/21