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

General Travel resources
- Smart Traveller: Americas listings
- The Travel Doctor
- Vaccinations for Travel
- National Geographic 'Scam City' video playlist
- Sleeping in Airports
- Hostel Bookers

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 

- Getting a Brazil VISA from S.America (Buenos Aires) - Passport with at least six months validity; Passport photo; Roundtrip ticket to Brazil; Proof of hotel reservation; and financial records, which may include bank statements and proof of earnings
- General Brasil VISA info

- 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
- Border Crossing from Colombia
- CouchSurfing suggestions for Baloncesto in Caracas 

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 and has shown support for the Grizzlies multiple times with his off-court entertainment. Memphis have also hosted "Wrestling Nights", hosting the legendary Ric Flair and organising giveaways like championship belts. One more reason I love the Grizzlies.
Below are some Grizzlies graphics that celebrate Memphis Wrasslin'.

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 

Update 2014:

Rd 1 Oklahoma City Thunder: Kendrick Perkins does the Earthquake Splash
on Mike Miller on a broken play. No foul called.

Read Chris Herrington's article describing the link between Memphis wrestling and the identity of Grizzlies basketball - That's Zach Randolph's music!

Update 2015:

"Whatcha gonna do when Big Spania runs wild on you". @marcgasol is Memphis Wrestling.

A photo posted by 30homegames (@30homegames) on Mar 31, 2015 at 9:01am PDT

'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

30 Homes Games is on Tumblr

30HomeGames.tumblr.com

With all the graphical memes I've been making its only natural that I would set up a Tumblr account. Maeks me wonder what took so long.

Find it at 30 Home Games tumblr

Golden State Warriors: We Believe 2007 + Memphis Grizzlies: Believe Memphis 2011

Only 3 teams have upset the top team from 8th seed since the NBA changed to a 7 game format for the 1st round.
- 2007: Golden State Warriors over the Dallas Mavericks in (4-2)
- 2011: Memphis Grizzlies over the San Antonio Spurs in (4-2)
- 2012: Philadelphia 76ers over the Chicago Bulls in (4-2)

Golden State and Memphis have made sequels to these improbable runs this year and are threatening to go deeper.

#Grizznation #Dubnation Don't Stop Believin'

#Grizznation #Dubnation Who do you believe?

Update: '
'Let's play make-believe". The Spurs erased Golden State's dream. Will they do the same to Memphis?

#Grizznation #Dubnation Let's play make-believe