Approaching 10 years of @30HomeGames. A decade of travelling and connecting over a shared love of basketball.

This year I'll be celebrating 10 years since founding 30HomeGames in Vilnius, Lithuania. I was recently invited on 'The Baseline Podcast' with Stevie Cozens to share my stories as a basketball traveller.

VIDEO: Official EuroBasket 2011 Anthem (English version)

Stevie is a New Zealander with a passion for hoops, he has an interesting mixture of guests who cover a range of perspectives on the game. The pandemic has put a halt on life as usual for all of us. Putting privileges like travel and opportunity in perspective, I'm lucky to have been able to take my chances over the years. Whilst New Zealand is an emerging basketball nation, Stevie and the Baseline Podcast is a great example of how technology and shared interests can open our world and shrink the distance between us. Even when we're robbed of travel or away from the action.

My 7 year old daughter was introduced to the WNBA today in @sabrina_i20 's debut. "Mom, I can be a basketball player even though I'm a girl?" Yes baby girl, you can do anything ❤️ pic.twitter.com/EmzVeB8i8r

— Dia (@diandraann) July 25, 2020

Stevie's guests on the Baseline Podcast have mirrored epiphanies I've had on my own journey. Photographer Diandra Ann shares her discoveries after being exposed to a wider universe of hoops through her work and fandom.

Catching Up With Diandra Ann, The Queen of Blazers Twitter

DIANDRA ANN: (10m 55s) This is all a new world to me. I'm getting familiar with it as I go because there's so much that I don't know still but like you said this is really well known outside of the United States. I think of a lot of it is why you watch basketball? Do you watch basketball because you like LeBron James (nothing against LeBron James, he's a fantastic player). But do you watch basketball because of that or do you watch basketball cause you like to watch basketball? And I think if you're a person who just likes to watch basketball there are so many other people out there that you could be watching including organisations like FIBA...

For Diandra, her exposure began when she started working with Swish Cultures and FIBA. Having international colleagues and doing work with a global focus on the game gave her access to another perspective. Travel has usually been my gateway. I've cultivated my curiosity by exploring different cultures but personal connections to places and people cement that fondness. 30HomeGames began after spending an incredible month backpacking around hoops-mad Lithuania as they hosted EuroBasket '11. The festival atmosphere connecting with hoopheads from around Europe and the amazing hospitality from locals has been a high I've chased ever since.  

DIANDRA: (16m 16s) When you put people in that are the best of what you've got then you've got the fans behind you and you build that global awareness for the game outside of just the United States. I still feel like I don't fully understand all of it as far as all the leagues, who's where and all that stuff. I'm kinda figuring it out as I go cuz it's all very new for me because I wasn't really exposed to it before. 

When you hear people say all the time "Representation Matters. Exposure Matters" and all those things and that's very true because if you don't know it exists its hard to be familiar with it. As it gets more recognition and as it becomes a bigger thing we're gonna hopefully see excitement building for basketball outside of the NBA and the WNBA...  

I'm a big believer in narrative, its a powerful drive in basketball. Its the reason we adore certain teams and players and why we despise others. It's also what pushes us to collect certain basketball cards or buy certain sneaker colourways. Its worth examining those stories because I think it tells us a lot about ourselves and each other. Looking at all my faves through the years, I've found that I have a bias towards, underdogs, small market teams and international players which I touched on in my episode.

Another conversation that resonated with me was Stevie's chat with Kaan Erel. Kaan was a contestant on 'GM School' which originally aired on NBATV and YouTube. His perspective on networking reflected my own, interestingly 'GM School' host Ben Lyons has been one of the most meaningful connections I've made on my 30HomeGames journey. I speak on that in my conversation with Stevie.

VIDEO: GM School - Kaan Erel

Kaan unpacks the basics of interpersonal connection and being able to present oneself as a professional asset. His words also double as great life advice.

Career In Basketball Media With Kaan Erel

KAAN EREL: (34m 22s) Networking is crucial to display who you are to the people that you want... you gotta know who you are and be able to describe yourself in a way that you agree with it. Once you stop trying to get someone else to agree that you are worth it... once you find your own self worth, it becomes easy to talk about it to other people...

You never know when relationships will become something of actual business or professional value but if you don't go into them with that in mind they hold value just because of the connection... It's all about building connections that can amount to different things in the future. That's what I think networking is. It's not about "I need to find a job" or "I need to change out". I wanna meet more people because that's what life is actually about. 

This sentiment by Kaan is something I touched on with Stevie. I have a similar philosophy around social media and been blessed to find the right people. My first NBA game was in 2015 at Madison Square Garden. As I do before embarking on my trips, I try to reach out to the destination NBA teams in search of a unique fan experience. During that time I had a modest 200+ Instagram followers (admittedly I don't have too much more 10 years on) but the New York Knicks graciously provided our traveling crew pregame access. That initial experience proved to me I didn't need to have tens of thousands of followers to warrant a connection. Genuineness and openness with timing and good fortune mixed in can go a long way. 

Its an honour to be able to share my story on the Baseline Podcast. Enjoy the show.

Follow Stevie Cozens online here:
- Twitter at @StevieCozens
- Instagram at @BasketballContentNZ
- Subscribe to 'The Baseline Podcast'

Follow Diandra Ann online here:
- Twitter at @DiandraAnn
- Instagram at @Diandra.Ann

Follow Kaan Eral online here:
- Twitter at @iKaanic
- Instagram at @iKaanic

Retiring the @30HomeGames Instagram.

<< crossposted on the 'Loz in Translation' blog

I've owned a smartphone for just over 2+ years. In that period I've devoted a lot of my time finding content for my Instagram. It was a departure from my insistence on "living in the moment" when I was backpacking for years sans camera. I posted daily, documenting my exploration of new places and subcultures using basketball references to bind the photos in theme.

If I was watching contemporary dance, I'd look for an audience member wearing fresh sneakers. If I was at a comedy show, I'd spring into action if I heard a comic referencing basketball. I'd check out the latest burger pop-ups but I'd hunt for punters wearing basketball jerseys.
The premium was on finding quirky perspectives, usually for things that were trending or topical. Whilst occasionally photos were straightforward basketball pics, I was excited by finding odd juxtapositions or clever visual puns in my daily life. I was on a constant scavenger hunt. What began as a way to remain focused on the 30HG Project when I wasn't abroad quickly turned into an obsession.

In the same way Jim Carrey became obsessed with the 'Number 23', I was in a craze trying to connect everything to LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

I'm retiring the home (Sydney) component of my Instagram. I'll be reserving updates for upcoming plans, resuming regular daily content for when I'm on the road. I enjoy how projects like this foster daily habits of exploring, searching for novelty and lived experience. The content is a bonus. I'll still be checking out shows and new scenes, I'll just be experiencing it more fully as I won't be so preoccupied with capturing it now. Truth be told, my camera Phone is broken. With no plans to replace it till I head stateside for my "Texas Triangle" roadtrip.

30HG goes to USA

30HG goes to CHINA

30HG goes to SOUTH AMERICA

I'm proud of what I experienced with the @30homeGames Instagram. Besides taking me abroad to the States, China and New Zealand, I also got to dive into my local culture. Checking out more art shows, finding new spots and making new friends around Sydney. It made me more proactive in playing ball, joining clubs and seeking hoops events. It even motivated me to run my own basketball tourney. The energy reminiscent of when I started 'Loz in Transit' during my Yes Man year of 2010.

To commemorate my 2+ years capturing and living "Basketball is Life", I present a mixtape of some of my favourite photo sets:

30HG at the GAME

30HG at FESTIVALS

30HG out EATING

30HG out DRINKING

30HG at LIVE SHOWS

30HG at ART SHOWS

30HG out MARCHING

30HG out MOVING

30HG at ????

- '30 Home Games' on Instagram: Basketball Souvenirs, Streetball and Hoops around the world
- Jacques Henri Lartigue: Why I'm getting a camera

#30HomeGames in 2015: USA Roadtrip and being the Ultimate NBA fan

<< crossposted on the 'Loz in Translation' blog

One of the primary reasons I created 'Loz in Transit' and its offshoot blogs was because I enjoyed having an undertaking that fostered life experiences. Since becoming a "content seeker" for these projects I feel more connected, inspired and proactive. Even though I've recently returned from a short USA trip, activity on my travel blog has been sparse as nearly all my focus has shifted to my basketball mission. In particular the @30HomeGames Instagram which I update daily and consumes most of my waking thoughts.

We embarked on the maiden #30HGroadtrip to the snowy US East Coast, cruising from New York to Cleveland by SUV. I had a Fairytale in New York as the Knicks graciously hosted us to pregame access at Madison Square Garden aka "The World's Most Famous Arena". We also sat Courtside behind the player's bench in Philly and capped it off watching this generation's greatest player, homecoming king LeBron playing in Cleveland.

Having the #NYknicks host #30HomeGames with #pregameaccess at the #WorldsMostFamousArena will go down as the highlight of the #30HGroadtrip. Being able to share this cherished moment with friends was a blessing. Whatever happens during the remainder of our #USAtrip is simply a bonus. It seems I did an unwitting #photobomb as I was snapping #KevinDurant. To organise your own unique Fan experience, check out the creative packages on the @nyknicks website (nba.com/knicks/fan-experience)

Una foto publicada por 30homegames (@30homegames) el 2 de Feb de 2015 a la(s) 9:22 PST

At this stage, my growing obsession for Instagram has me viewing the world through a square, basketball-themed prism. The shift largely precipitated by my new life as a Smartphone user, its been 7 months now. A lot of the inspiration and insight which filled these pages came to me during quiet moments of reflection traveling Europe and South America. I didn't have a camera for the majority of my travels but on the occasions I did I realised it made me neglect writing. The smartphone has made this worse tenfold, conversely "gramming" has helped me develop a more economical way of storytelling.

There's a lot in store for '30 Home Games' in 2015 so stay tuned.
I have an interview with a diehard Australian jersey collector coming. I'm also campaigning to be the 'ESPN Ultimate Fan' so please show your support. As its an even year, FIBA basketball returns. I'll be contemplating whether to continue my streak having already attended EuroBasket '11 and FIBA Americas '13. I have a choice between a mid year trip to either Asia or Africa. There's AfroBasket 2015 hosted by Tunisia between August 19 to 30 or FIBA Asia in Changsha, China from September 23 to October 3.

- FIBA Africa, Tunisia 2015 (August 19-30)
- FIBA Asia, Changsha 2015 (September 23 - October 3)

Guest posting on 'The Facial' - Finding basketball around Europe

'A Memento Year' exhibition - Lithuania tribute corner

I recently contributed to 'The Facial', an international blog covering all sorts of hoops nerdiness from the NBA, BBL and FIBA basketball. The first post was a writeup detailing my exploits in Europe - Finding basketball around Europe and the ’30 Home Games’ mission

TheFacial.co.uk - Finding Basketball around Europe and the ’30 Home Games’ mission

Keep checking into 'The Facial' as they continue to cover the NBA and the coming hoops action for London's 2012 Olympics and expect future contributions from 30 Home Games.

Read more European experiences below:
- Social Sunday Sports, Basketball in London
- Balancing Basketball and Travel in Lithuania - Part I
- Balancing Basketball and Travel in Lithuania - Part II
- Trigger: Day 114 - An NBA day in Portugal

Find my other Guest Posts:
- Nod n Smile: Things that make you go hmm in Portugal
- The Facial: Finding Basketball around Europe
- Couple of Sports: How I won personalised sneakers in Lisbon, Portugal
- Nomadic Samuel: The many faces of the South of Spain, Andalucia

Demetri Martin finds Clearification: "Hand Toss" basketball facial

HAND TOSS: Demetri Martin

WARNING: Hand Toss alert!
New readers unfamiliar with my writing might find this blog perplexing. '30 Home Games' began as a basketball-themed offshoot to my 'Loz in Translation' travel blog. Both blogs incorporate epiphanies I've discovered though my twin passions (travel + basketball). Using articles, conversations and art found in each hobby, I relate it to grander themes as I explore the meaning of life and pursue happiness.

Comedian Demetri Martin in a series of viral ads for Windows Vista sheds some light:

VIDEO: Demetri Martin finds Clearification

DEMETRI MARTIN (voiceover): For a select few, life gets complicated quickly and gradually it gets out of control. I guess you could say I'm one of the select few.

I was winning at life. Focused, professional, protected, forgetful - a little bit. And all business. I was also an a$$hole...

I'm not quite sure how things got out of control. I thought I had things figured out but I didn't... Far from it. What I had was a condition "Hyper Achiever with No Direction and Tendency to Overcomplicate Situations Syndrome". Its a rare condition...

NBA Graphics: 30 Home Games logo and Wallpaper

30 Home Games mission: Destination wishlist

Unveiling new graphics for 30 Home games. For those playing at home, the 30HG logo is modeled after the Route 66 sign. The pictogram is a person making a 'travel' call.

I will be creating wallpapers for each NBA division
Find 30HomeGames here:
- 30HG on Twitter
- 30HG on Blogger
- 30HG on Facebook

Find Division maps featuring the NBA stadiums and a cursory to-do list of places and events:


Eastern Conference
1) Atlantic Division
Massachusetts | New Jersey | New York | Ontario, Canada | Pennsylvania
2) Central Division
Illinois | Indiana | Michigan | Ohio | Wisconsin
3) Southeast Division
Florida | Georgia | North Carolina | Washington DC

Western Conference:
4) Northwest Division
Colorado | Minnesota | Oklahoma | Oregon | Utah
5) Pacific Division
Arizona | California
6) Southwest Division
New Orleans | Tennessee | Texas

FAQ: Questions I Frequently ask myself

In the last few years I've been amazed by the amazing opportunities that avail themselves with a little bit of creativity and optimism. I've found money isn't nearly as important as having a positive energy and time well spent.

Through a willingness to start a conversation, networks are planted. With curiosity, possibilities are revealed. Through optimism, resilience is built. Most of the great experiences I've had and the hospitality I've been graced with has happened organically. I think projects like Couchsurfing are incredibly useful and life-changing but I like the personal mission of creating things for myself. Ironically, most of the hospitable people I've met in hostels, buses and footpaths happen to be on the Couchsurfing network. So maybe its just in my head.

With this endeavour I hope to use this blog as a facility to make things happen. While its possible to get things like free tickets and a few nights sleep through meeting people, its not entirely realistic to achieve this for all 30 cities, especially with a short time frame.

Below are some Questions I frequently ask myself:

What are you doing?
Using the pretext of watching 30 Home Games for each team of the NBA, I will be traveling all around the United States with Toronto thrown in. Living, writing and balling.

How do you plan to travel?

Greyhound, hitchhiking, team bus, team plane, easy riding, horseback, road tripping, Campervan. By any and all means necessary. Ideally affordably, regionally and as unique as possible. Its really just a matter of getting from Point A to B but naturally It'd be nice to have a good story to go along with it.

Where do you plan to stay?
Couchsurfing, 5 star-hotels, motels, campsites, host houses and apartments. You get the idea, It's about having a story? There is a bit of contrivance having set up this blog in the hope of facilitating it but it'll be an adventure nonetheless.

How much time will you have?
Unfortunately 3 months, I will likely only have an American tourist VISA. I will explore getting a Canadian VISA which might allow me a bit more flexibility but at this stage with only anecdotal references to draw from, 3 months seems the most likely. I am considering splitting the missions over several trips/seasons as I would like as much time as possible to absorb each city. Ideally I'd like a full year (get a VISA somehow) and have an all-encompassing experience like I enjoyed in Europe.

Who are you?
I am... Batman. I'm just an average guy who loves the game of basketball. For a large part of my basketball fandom, I was merely a stat geek and sneakerhead. During my Eurotrip I've started to get over my bball shyness and begun to develop my game. I can always improve and that's the plan. One of the my fears for a US roadtrip is the thought of embarrassing myself on blacktops and gyms across America but that's a challenge I welcome.

Why America?
Well I've had (having) my EuroTrip experience. Originally I had wanted to have an American experience because most of the things I'm fascinated and passionate in (sports, comedy, wrestling, politics and movies) are American.

My European adventure has provided different experiences to enjoy: the exotic languages, rich history and unique customs. America with its distinct regions and cultures promises similarly great things, from the bigness of Texas to the flavour of Miami.

Sorry, why are you doing this?
I just want to have stories. I like hearing stories and I want to share stories. When you're treated to great hospitality, two things happen. You get addicted to it, then you feel guilty for being so spoilt. I've learnt to accept that when done right, it is really a win-win situation. It's a shared humanity, the embodiment of "spreading the love". Its something I aim to do on this journey.

One of the main logistical challenges will be to create a facility where I can help spread my good fortune to others who will appreciate it and far more deserving than I. I have to consider entertaining sponsorship and other avenues to best achieve this.

When are you going on this grand adventure?
For starters, it needs to be during the NBA Season. So I imagine late into the shortened 2011/2012 season (if it happens at all) or before All-Star break of the 2012/2013 season. I will also have to return to normally scheduled programming after the Eurotrip. Will have to see what shakes out.

Why does your blog look this way?
Lay off the Haterade pal. I plan to design the blog properly once I have time. Most likely months from now when I return to Sydney.

Who are your favorite players?
Current - "Son of a gun" Stephen Curry, Marc Gasol and Joakim Noah
80's - Magic Johnson
90's - Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon
00's - "B Diddy" Baron Davis
All Time - The Dream

Favourite sneakers

Jordan 'XII' and Reebok 'Questions'

Adidas x Undrcrwn 'Gil Zero'

Introducing the new 'Loz in Transit' blog - 30HomeGames.com

<< crossposted on the 'Loz in Translation' blog

If I had to describe my 'Loz in Translation' blog, I would call it a 'pursuit of happiness' journal. It's not a travelogue per se as I started it a year before I began my Euro Trip. Its more an "experience" blog in that its less about what I've seen and where I've been but more about what I've done and thought about.

The blog is sectioned by themes and passions, from art and movies to triggers and quotes. I've also set missions for myself, when I was in Sydney I made it my goal to go out everyday of the year leading up to my EuroTrip. Whilst in Europe I've tried to have a basketball experience and stay a month in each Country I've set foot in. The missions are often organically set and arbitrary but they provide a great foundation for experiences to take place. In fact I've always liked the idea of having a journalistic pretext to do things. I'm a big fan of Documentaries and am inspired by works like that of humorist Danny Wallace.

So without further adieu I present to you my next endeavour:
30HomeGames.blogspot.com
- A mission to attend 30 home games for each NBA team

The new blog isn't about basketball necessarily, its simply a pretext to visit the many featured States and Cities of the United States. It will feature a similar documentation style found in the 'LozinTranslation' blog, from tangential pop cultural references to the experiences shared with people I've met.

You can expect:
- Quotes from conversations with people met
- Cultural tangents: Art, Music, Movies and Books
- Photo essays
- Trigger posts

As its a Basketball themed blog I imagine an uptick in sports analogies and puns but I intend for it to be as accessible as possible, in so much as a personal blog can be.

At this early stage its all hoop dreams and goal-setting. I write this from Vilnius, Lithuania. Still very much in the midst of my EuroTrip experience, normal life awaits me at home in Sydney and there is the small matter of the looming NBA lockout. So clearly there is still a lot of uncertainty to contend with.

"The Road to Glory" - A map of NBA Teams I plan to visit

Most of the logistical planning will be found at the new '30HomeGames' blog. There will be some cross posting when necessary but for the most part the blogs will stand alone.
Enjoy! I love this Game.

Find the complete collection of 'LozinTranslation' Basketball posts below, obviously it has been my European BBall experiences that have inspired this new endeavor.

• Baloncesto: I love this game - Basketball in Europe (Pt I: Espana)
• Krepšinis: I love this game - Basketball in Europe (Pt II: Lietuva)
• Recap of Basketball in Europe (2011) and South America (2013)
• Live EuroBasket results: Lithuania, September 2011 (Pt 1: Panevėžys, Šiauliai)
• Live EuroBasket results: Lithuania, September 2011 (Pt 2:Vilnius)