NBL x NBA Wishlist for Salt Lake City, Oklahoma City and Phoenix

The inaugural #NBLxNBA tour:
Salt Lake City > Oklahoma City > Phoenix (Oct1 - Oct17)

Before I even have a chance to process my recent Summer hoops tour I'm embarking on yet another adventure. A Western Conference trip to witness the NBLxNBA preseason games. I recently quit my hospitality job which allows me free time. The fact the games were conveniently spaced apart and hosted in cities I'd yet to visit was too compelling an invitation to refuse. It'll be an honor to witness this historic occasion for Australian basketball. There's an ANZAC connection with these NBA teams, adding extra excitement for the matchup. Utah have two Aussies as prominent ball handlers in Dante Exum and Joe Ingles. Whilst OKC have Kiwi Steven Adams as part of their newly formed Big3. The arrival of superstar Paul George energising the fan base as he links with reigning MVP Russell Westbrook.

#tbt to this time last week when Larry dropped the ultimate #NBLxNBA 💣🐚... pic.twitter.com/QXaGtqVj5k

— NBL (@NBL) August 8, 2017

This is my first time buying a multi-city ticket, I wasn't even aware of them. I shared car rental costs on my first NBA roadtrip and used the Megabus for the majority of my travel. On my Summer hoops tour, I bought two separate return flights which unwittingly worked out cheaper.

This set of neighboring teams is the farthest spread so there aren't great overland options. Whilst my flights transit through Denver, I'll be skipping the Nuggets to keep with the NBL theme. This'll give me ample time to absorb what the host cities have to offer outside of the games.

Aussie themed trips:
#30HGaustralasia FIBA Oceania '15
#30HGsouthwest Texas Triangle '16

This will be my third Aussie themed roadtrip. Having followed the Men's national team for FIBA Oceania '15, as the Boomers battled the Tall Blacks in Melbourne and Wellington. I also did a month in Texas watching every team with Aussies on their roster to start the 2016 NBA season. I've been quite the lucky charm, with home teams winning 9 straight when I've been in attendance. Whilst the odds are firmly against them, my heart's with the Australian visitors as they challenge the world's finest.

Greetings from Salt Lake City, Utah

SALT LAKE CITY
Comedy
- Norm Macdonald Special Event (Oct 5-7 at Wiseguys Comedy Club)
Wrestling
- Ultra Championship Wrestling Zero (Nov 4 at The Complex)
Other
- Strung Out (Oct 3 at The Grand, Complex)
Events
- Now Playing Utah
- Salt Lake City Weekly

Utah Jazz:
Vivint Smart Home Arena
301 S Temple,
Salt Lake City,  Utah 84101

- Sydney Kings at Jazz (Monday Oct 2, 7pm)
- Maccabi Haifa at Jazz (Wednesday Oct 4, 7pm)

Greetings from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

OKLAHOMA CITY
Comedy
- The Loony Bin
Combat
- Oklamania II (Oct 7 at Hardy Murphy Coliseum, Ardmore)
- SCS MMA #33: Clark VS Lopez (Nov 11 at Sugar Creek Casino)
Events
- VisitOKC
- Toby Keith's I Love This Bar & Grill
Other
- Kicklahoma Kiosk at Sooner Mall and Quail Springs Mall
- Mickey Mantle's Steakhouse
- Bleu Garten Food Truck Park
- Empire Slice Pizza
- Sid's Diner and Pop's on Route66
-
Oklahoma City Thunder:
Chesapeake Arena
100 W Reno Ave,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102

- Melbourne UTD at Thunder (Sunday Oct 8, 2pm)

Greetings from Phoenix, Arizona

PHOENIX
Comedy
- This Week Sucks Tonight (Oct12 at Crescent Ballroom)
- Uhh Yeah Dude Live podcast (Oct14 at Crescent Ballroom)
- All Things Comedy Festival (Oct 26-29 at Stand Up Live)
Wrestling
- Arizona Wrestling Federation (Sep 30 + Nov 11,12)
Other
- Visit Phoenix Calendar and Concerts
- DTPHX Downtown Phoenix Events
- Lost Lakes Festival (Oct20-22)
- The Shins at (Oct3 at Comerica Theatre)
- Dinosaur Jr (Oct17 at The Van Buren)
- Red Hot Chili Peppers (Oct18 at Gila River Arena)
- Majerle's Sports Grill

Phoenix Suns:
Talking Stick Resort Arena
201 E Jefferson St,
Phoenix, Arizona 85004

- Brisbane Bullets at Suns (Friday Oct 13)