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
