Miami Heat: The Avengers or Miami Vice, Dominant but Complacent

Who do you have closing out the 2013 NBA Finals?
As historically good as the Heat have been since they were assembled 3 years ago, they've been vulnerable despite making 3 consecutive Finals appearances. In 2012 they were down 1-2 against the Pacers with Bosh injured for the series. Down 2-3 against the gutsy Celtics, they survived as LeBron went Beast mode and unleashed his "Anger Game". They would finally break away in Game 7 after entering the 4th quarter all tied up.

In these 2013 playoffs, Miami traded blows with the Pacers advancing after 7 games. In a matchup of generationally great teams the Heat are locked in an epic battle with the Spurs. Yet to take the series lead, Miami hope to win the pivotal Game 5. Will they succumb to being complacent (Miami Vice) or will they show a sense of urgency and unleash their true power.

The Avengers: The Heat have won 6 games
by an average of 20pts after  each playoff loss

Miami Vice - The Heat have dropped 4 of their games
after returning serve with blowout victories 

NBA Playoff Hashtag Graphic compilation

You'll find most of my NBA graphics on my 30HomeGames Tumblr page but this blog is your best bet to find compilations.
I proudly present the #Hashtag Collection:

Chris Bosh #Raawr

Nate Robinson #Letsdodis

LeBron James #Fiyah

LeBron James and Paul George #Gameon

Joakim Noah #Trolling

30 Home Games: Plans for the Americas 2013 - FIBA Americas Caracas, Venezuela

Europe 2011 highlighted by EuroBasket in Lithuania.
South America 2013 awaits with FIBA Americas in Caracas, Venezuela

I spent 2011 traveling around Europe, amongst other things I was able to have a Basketball experience in each Country I set foot in, highlighted by the month spent in hoopsmad Lithuania for EuroBasket.
In 2013 I'll extend my adventures to South America where I will reconnect with "Familia Feliz" in their native Brazil and enjoy the FIBA Americas Championship in Caracas, Venezuela.

Caracas, Venezuela hosts the FIBA Americas Championship.
By all accounts, its nothing like Disney.

Schedule Announced for the 2013 FIBA Americas Championship
The Championship will be played from August 30th to September 11th in the Poliedro of Caracas with the participation of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela.

August 30
11:00 - Jamaica vs. Canada
13:30 - Argentina vs. Paraguay
17:00 - Puerto Rico vs. Brazil
19:30 - Venezuela vs. Mexico

August 31
11:00 - Uruguay vs. Jamaica
13:30 - Canada vs. Puerto Rico
17:00 – Dominican Republic vs. Argentina
19:30 - Paraguay vs. Venezuela

September 1
11:00 - Brazil vs Canada
13:30 - Mexico vs. Paraguay
17:00 - Venezuela vs. Dominican Republic
19:30 - Puerto Rico vs. Uruguay

September 2
11:00 – Dominican Republic vs. Mexico
13:30 - Jamaica vs. Puerto Rico
17:00 - Uruguay vs. Brazil
19:30 - Argentina vs Venezuela

September 3
11:00 - Paraguay vs. Dominican Republica
13:30 - Canada vs. Uruguay
17:00 - Mexico vs. Argentina
19:30 - Brazil vs. Jamaica

Map of South America

Travel Advisory
Smart Traveller: Americas listings

South America
- Argentina 
- Bolivia 
- Brazil 

Australian Embassy, Brasilia
SES QD 801
Conjunto K, Lote 07
BSB, DF 70200-010, Brasilia, Brazil
Telephone: 55 61 3226 3111
Facsimile: 55 61 3226 1112
E-mail: embaustr@dfat.gov.au

- Chile 
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Guyana 
- Paraguay
- Peru
Shipibo Ayahuasca Retreat in the Amazon - Iquitos, Peru
- Suriname
- Uruguay
- Venezuela

Canadian Embassy, Caracas
Avenida Francisco de Miranda con Avenida Sur
Altamira, Caracas, Venezuela
Telephone: (58 212) 600 3000; 600 3042 or 600 3043
Facsimile: (58 212) 263 4981
E-mail: crcas@international.gc.ca
Website: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/venezuela/

- Handling money

Memphis Grizzlies Advent Calendar to history #BelieveMemphis

This is for the Die Hards #Grizz fans. You know those advent Calendars that countdown till Christmas? History in the making in 4, 3, 2, 1... #believememphis

Memphis Grizzlies to make historic comeback against San Antonio Spurs

GrindHouse Wallpaper comeback edition: 'Play. No Terror' and 'Death Proof'

Update: My Grizz were discombobulated and dismantled by the Spurs. Bummer.

Memphis Grizzlies meets "Memphis Wrestling"

I've talked about my love for Wrestling. Wrestling great Jerry Lawler is synonymous with Memphis, he has shown support for the Grizzlies in the past with his off-court entertainment. Below are some Grizzlies Graphics that celebrate 'Memphis Wrestling'.

Rd 1 Los Angeles Clippers: Zach Randolph VS Blake Griffin,
Lumberjack Match

Rd 2 Oklahoma City Thunder: OKC's Reggie Jackson does the
People's Elbow on Tony Allen

Rd 3 San Antonio Spurs: Tony Allen sells a Manu Ginobili foul,
gets awarded a Flagrant which sends the game into OT 

'Keep Klay and Curry on' Wallpapers

Look we haven't even played the first game of the Western Conference Finals, But!
I was open about wanting a "Make Believe" Conference Finals between my Grizzlies and Warriors though I do see the value of playing the Spurs instead. If the Grizzlies are to win it all, I want them to beat the strongest field* possible and in storybook fashion the same way the Mavs did.

Avenge their previous two playoff eliminators, the Clippers and Thunder. Prove that 2011 was no fluke by beating the consistent Spurs then upending the Heat juggernaut. That's the coolest way to do it ;)

That said I'm gonna miss the Splash Brothers, Pastor Jackson, David "Psych" Lee, Andrew "No Worries" Bogut, Harrison Barnes and the Rookie Brigade. In short I'm gonna miss the thrill that only the Warriors can provide so really there's only one solution:

'Keep Klay and Curry on': White on Blue edition

'Keep Klay and Curry on': Yellow on Blue edition

'Keep Klay and Curry on': Yellow on White edition

'Keep Klay and Curry on': Blue on White edition

'Keep Klay and Curry on': White on Yellow edition

'Keep Klay and Curry on': Blue on Yellow edition

*We'll have to beat OKC with Westbrook during our 2014 repeat ;)

Compilation: Monster Playoff Games

I'll be compiling my Monster Playoff graphics in one post to commemorate outstanding lines during the playoffs. Starting with the original MONSTER performance from Andrew Bynum which brought Kanye's lyrics to life.

1st Rd, Gm 1, 2012: Lakers 103 def. Nuggets 88
Andrew Bynum: 10 Pts, 13 Rebs, 10 Blks, 0 Asts

1st Rd, Gm 7, 2013: Bulls 99 def. Nets 93
Joakim Noah: 24 Pts, 14 Rebs, 2 Asts, 6 Blks

2nd Rd, Gm 1, 2013: Bulls 3 def. Heat 86
Nate Robinson: 27 Pts, 3 Reb, 9 Ast, 10 Stitches

1st Rd, Gm 6, 2013: Warriors 92 def. Nuggets 88
Andrew Bogut: 14 Pts, 21 Rebs, 4 Blks

2nd Rd, Gm 6, 2013: Pacers 106 def. Knicks 99
Lance Stephenson: 25 Pts, 10 Rebs, 3 Asts