Full @30HomeGames interview with GetBuckets on YouTube

<< crossposted on the 30HomeGames Medium blog

I was interviewed by Ryan of GetBuckets to close out 2023, we reflected on our time in Manila for the FIBA World Cup and talked about the world game. I had excerpted our conversation for an IG guide, but seeing as that feature was disabled, I've transferred that info here. You can still scroll through the IG guides via this link: 30HomeGames Instagram guides.

VIDEO: The NBA is not it and FIBA is proving its case  

Chatting with Ryan from Get Buckets.
We debriefed after our FIBAWC experience in Manila.
Find the full vid on the 'Get Buckets' YouTube channel.

My intention for FIBAWC 2023 in Jakarta 🇮🇩, Okinawa 🇯🇵 and Manila 🇵🇭

My World Cup Intention
LE: (1m 03s) I knew I had to do it my way, which is usually doing it all 3. Obviously most people will watch their team and whoever the host is, maybe go to Manila for the finals phase.

Because I'm doing it as a traveller, backpacker and explorer and also just someone who wants to immerse myself in the experience, I had to do it all.

Lietuva, where @30HomeGames began
LE: (2m 08s) I was hooping in Rotterdam🇳🇱 with a Spanish guy from the hostel… and he goes "You love basketball, you should go to EuroBasket".

I was like, "What's EuroBasket?"

He explained it to me, I looked it up and went to Lithuania a couple of months later… I got to see Dirk Nowitzki, Marc Gasol, Joakim Noah, Boris Diaw. All NBA guys obviously but that's a side of the game that maybe people don't know about.
You know "The Dream Team", you know your local national team but there's a whole world out there.

Taiwanese superfans of the Baltics in Jakarta

Hoops opening up the world
LE: (5m 22s) The more curious and the more you find out, the more you realise there's more curiosity to look into. There's more that we can dig into…"

Find your pack
LE: (7m 14) We all have to realise that attention is paid to what's popular but there's always going to be a small subgroup of people.

People like Australians who like the Boomers. People who like small market teams, who like the Grizzlies and the Timberwolves who are like
"🙋‍♂️ How about us? 🙋‍♀️ How about us?".
There's always been that tussle.

On growing the fanbase
LE: (8m 20s) For me - and we can talk about this with women's sport or just anything. You just need to build a loyal fanbase. You need to build a fanbase that's "ride or die " with you and who are genuine about the team. Genuine about the culture.

Success can bring you new fans, success can bring you new audiences... but you just need that loyalty, you need that culture. You need that sense of community.

Lebanon fans in Jakarta for FIBAWC

Win for Lebanon
LE: (10m 15s) My first World Cup game was Latvia vs Lebanon, probably the best crowd on both sides I experienced. Lebanon came second in FIBA Asia, Wael Arakji is a player I really like so I came in wanting to like Lebanon. They had an amazing support group... a massive amount of Lebanese fans, that's what it's about..."

Gold stays forever
RA: (11m 08s) This is where I really appreciated that mob of Australians, the old heads who were even wearing custom shirts… Even if the Boomers weren't there, they all had fun. That's what it's all about, being with your mates and enjoying the sport that you love.

Pilipinas at Australia (February 2018)

They say we love basketball
RA: (14m 28s) If the Philippines or Filipinos have the ability to support, they will.
...
In 2018 there was an exhibition match in Melbourne... Gilas vs Boomers. 80% attending were Filipinos IN Australia.
I was so proud that I was there, it was insane!
...
They will support the Philippines team, it's just outside of them and Team USA, it needs some work. I don't think it's the Filipinos' fault. Again, credit to the huge marketing machine that is the NBA...

Love of the game
LE: (19m 09s) You've seen this with sneakers… everyone's a sneakerhead now and everyone knows more about sneakers than you do. Then you're like wait "Didn't you just get into it two years ago?"

But that's all of life now...

Guest piece for 'SBS Voices'
LE: (19m 24s) Everything is just accessible but how does that translate into authentic following. Because if it's easy to get into something, it's also easy to get out of something out.

RA: That's right. Is it a trend or do you believe it as a person and it just became a trend?

This. Is. Wrestling. #30HGlive

Then. Now. Forever.
LE: (20m 08s) Everyone likes everything.

RA: There's small bubbles everywhere. They like their own thing.

LE: But then how many things in your life have you liked since you were 15? That to me is what's interesting… That's basketball for me. It's pro-wrestling as well and then there's a million other things.
But that's also what makes me, me.

Best way to find out
LE: (21m 53s) You want to search for it. There's a comedian Pete Holmes who [has a joke] about Googling. You can Google all knowledge but the best knowledge is when you experience it, maybe organically through conversation or organically through life...
And so for me that story is amazing because you had the intention for something to happen... And to me that's what the experience of going on these trips is about.

Getting swept up by @Gromuls and Team Latvia

The Latvian connection
LE: (23m 32s) I'm walking towards there, then I see a bunch of Latvians and I'm like "They're going to the game, I'll follow them
...
They're friendly to me and they give me a [Rolands Šmits] shirt so I become part of their crew...
So [@gromuls] he's a TikToker, an influencer, and he just knows everyone in Latvia so I was just connected with him for all the games yeah...

Meeting Raimonds Vējonis

LE: (24m 14s) "I want to introduce you to someone. he's the President of Basketball". So I shake his hand, take a photo. He's a cool guy.

Then later on everyone else is taking photos with him and one of the guys goes, "You know who that is right? That's the former President of Latvia".
...
This is who I want to meet and connect with. People who are just like: You're a fan, I'm a fan.
I'm a person, you're a person.

Srbija Got Game

RA: (27m 58s) You want to understand why the last three MVPs in the NBA are not American, this is why. You have to see how they play, how they connect. They're so different.

I go back to Bogdan, this is why I want a Bogdan jersey... he's the lifeblood of the Serbian team.

2018 Aussie Basketball Tour: Notes from Perth and Auckland

The home stretch of my NBL tour took me to Perth and Auckland for Round 17 and 18. These two franchises have shared the NBL trophy the entire decade so far at 4 apiece. I was especially looking forward to Perth as they're widely known for having the most raucous home court in the league.

On my maiden away game in Adelaide, I'd met Annie. She was the matriarch of a die-hard family of Wildcats' fans. I told her I'd be heading to Perth and hoped to reconnect with them for an insider's view of the Red Army.

View this post on Instagram

I met Annie and her traveling family of Wildcats supporters in Adelaide on the maiden trip of my NBL Oz tour. I was lucky to reconnect for the rematch in Perth and joined them for dinner. Debriefing after the @perthwildcats took home the Cattalini cup, avenging their bitter rivals. Perth delivered the best fan and arena experience I've been a part of in all my basketball travels. That includes NBA and FIBA. Annie's family epitomizes the dedication and support any league would hope to cultivate. Thank You Fam. #RedArmy _ Pic set 📸 by @perth_key_therapy

A post shared by Loz In Transit (@30homegames) on Feb 10, 2018 at 5:33am PST

Perth knows how to put on a show. I've been to a dozen NBA arenas and to games all around the world. I'd rate Perth number one among all my game day experiences. The very blue Perth Arena was awash in red. In the playoffs, it's tradition for teams to outfit spectators with freebie shirts so they're coordinated for the home team and TV audience to feed off. In Perth, it seemed everyone was already decked in a red and white jersey, sporting a members' lanyard.

I met with Annie and the family before the game. She insisted I grab seats early to catch Wilbur the Wildcat's pre-show entertainment. He rappelled from the rafters to unveil a "Welcome to the Jungle" sign.

Game Day in Perth and Auckland

It had the feel of a playoff game. Sworn enemies the 36ers were in town, the final round of the "Cattalini Cup". The vibe in the city on game day was palpable, red jerseys snaking through the main streets. The game lived up to the hype in spite of Perth's smothering 21 point win. Let's just say, Perth is a hostile environment for the opposing team. Especially if you happen to be Adelaide.

My New Zealand leg was unconventional in that I had a running mate in my close friend Sam. Apart from my maiden NBA trip in 2015, all my hoops adventures have been solo. Having parallel interests in comedy and punk rock would help, I'd also traveled with him previously in Melbourne where I adopted his vegan diet. I did the same during my NBA trip to the Pacific and was looking forward to going plant-based again for Auckland. My first time on the North island.

Foot Locker representing

Western Australia and the North Island

I like gauging the penetration of hoops culture when I travel. The local Footlocker repped the game with a sprawling mural of Auckland, admittedly it only featured NBA talent. Despite the Breakers being perennial contenders, the locals acknowledged that basketball had an uphill climb uprooting the National pastimes of Rugby Union and League.

Whilst I escaped Queensland with two underdog victories, the capable Breakers were set to face championship favourites Melbourne United. My home game winning streak put to an end with the visitors trouncing New Zealand by 18. The loss did sting but the kids excitedly going through the bleachers to scoop up Breakers' balloon sticks cheered me up.

#30HGoztour:
Mission almost complete.

I was lucky to enjoy plenty of local culture with Perth's Opera in the Park and Fringe World festivities underway. I also got to watch the Super Bowl in town. In Auckland, we were able to catch some comedy and farewell a storied live music venue. A highlight of mine was K' Road (Karangahape Road), where we scored tasty vegan snacks and some solid vintage finds. It's also where got I dog tags made to commemorate this NBL oddysey.

The 2018 Australian Tour (NBL and FIBA)

Round 17, Feb 2: PER def. ADL (111 - 90) 

Round 18, Feb 11: MEL def. NZB (100 - 82) 

I had a ball visiting the two most remote cities of the NBL. Having the good fortune to experience hoops all around the globe, I still cite this Perth Game Day as my most riveting fan experience. From the loyal fan base to the pre-game presentation, I highly recommend watching a Wildcats home game if you get the chance.

- Follow my daily snapshots on the @30HomeGames Instagram and hashtag #30HGoztour
- Check my tour notes from Wollongong and Adelaide
- Check my tour notes from Cairns and Brisbane
- Check my tour notes from Perth and Auckland
- Check my tour notes from my week in Melbourne

2018 Aussie Basketball Tour: Notes from Cairns and Brisbane

Queensland rocks!

My tour of the NBL cities continued north to Queensland, watching games in Cairns and Brisbane respectively. It'd be the only time on this tour I remained on the road between rounds and my first visit to Australia's Top End. With Cairns being a backpacker haven and entering into the Australia Day weekend, I figured this might be a pretty festive roadtrip.

Both Queensland arenas are held in Convention Centres which gives the game day experience an unconventional sporting feel. Seats were generally wider and the venues were more modern and felt less lived-in.

We the North.

The Queensland teams were largely playing for pride as they resided in the lower half of the standings. The Cairns Taipans couldn't afford a single loss if it stood any chance of squeezing into the playoffs. The Brisbane Bullets were looking to snap their losing streak and build forward momentum for the following season. I've provided good mojo for all my NBA Home Games thus far, going 12-1 with largely underdog victories. I hoped to continue the trend with this NBL tour.

Adelaide and Illawarra beat perennial finalists Perth and New Zealand by a margin of 11 to tip off my tour. The Queensland slate of games was going to be a real test for the 30HomeGames effect. The Bullets in the midst of a 7 game losing streak were set to face a surging Adelaide 36ers, winners of their last 7. It's actually heightened my emotions for game day being fully invested in a home victory.

Fan engagement.

For the Brisbane game I was joined by a Bullets fan from the 'Australian NBL Fans' facebook page. He provided great insight into the rising talent on the team and we mingled on the arena floor after the game as fans got autographs on one end or shot around on the other. In my dozens of arena experiences, I've never seen a court accessible for fans to play on after a game. Felt surreal.

The Taipans have a great culture of supporters being a small market franchise. Taipans fans were greeted to a drumming performance by 'Drum Mugendai' to go with the usual pre-game activities. I'm hoping to return to Queensland for the Commonwealth Games beginning in April. Two former NBL cities in Townsville [Crocodiles] and the Gold Coast [Rollers] will be hosting the basketball alongside Cairns.

The 2018 Australian Tour (NBL and FIBA)

Round 15, Jan 20: CNS def. NZB (81 - 71) 

Round 16, Jan 27: BNE def. ILL (95 - 90) 

In the end my Queensland trip was more subdued than expected. Though it rained my entire time in Cairns, it was great finally experiencing the natural beauty of Australia's Top End. I only visited the Daintree Rainforest but one day hope to add the Great Barrier Reef. Of the NBL cities, I was most impressed by Brisbane. Definitely an underrated capital. I was in town for the Invasion Day and Australia Day activities and got to watch Weezer and the Foo Fighters at the fabled Suncorp Stadium. I'll be back Queensland, hopefully sooner rather than later.

- Follow my daily snapshots on the @30HomeGames Instagram and hashtag #30HGoztour
- Check my tour notes from Wollongong and Adelaide
- Check my tour notes from Cairns and Brisbane
- Check my tour notes from Perth and Auckland
- Check my tour notes from my week in Melbourne

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

LozinTransit in 2015: American Roadtrip, FIBA Oceania and Asia

<<crossposted on the 'Loz in Translation' blog

Founded in Lithuania during EuroBasket 2011, I've been documenting my search for basketball experiences on my @30HomeGames project. It became an Instagram-focused pursuit when I got my first smartphone in 2014, each day capturing a moment through the lens of basketball. Whether its snapping basketball kicks on a bushwalk, a jersey at a foodie gathering or finding "hoops of the world". These daily scavenger hunts have made my adventures at home as novel as my adventures abroad, a premium placed on quirky and improbable intersections.

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

I started 2015 with a splash, spending 2 weeks on the US East Coast. The New York Knicks graciously hosted my friends and I at the "world famous" Madison Square Garden. An auspicious start for my mission to visit all 30 NBA Cities.

In 2011 and 2013 I quit work and went on extended trips, 13 and 6 months respectively. I knew this wouldn't be the case for 2015 but continuing my FIBA (International Basketball Federation) streak would be a solid consolation. During my EuroTrip I spent a month in Lithuania as they hosted the biennial European Basketball Championship. I made sure to attend the Americas equivalent in Venezuela during my 2013 South America Trip. For 2015 I had a choice between FIBA Asia and AfroBasket. I had sights on the African tourney in Tunisia but ultimately decided against it with uncertain developments in the area. Going to Changsha, China for FIBA Asia and adding nearby Wellington and Melbourne for FIBA Oceania rounded out a worthy mission for the year.

Stash from Australia, New Zealand and China

Under the umbrella #30HGaustralasia, the itinerary for Oceania was:
Aug 15 - Melbourne, Australia. FIBA Oceania Game 1
Aug 18 - Wellington, New Zealand. FIBA Oceania Game 2
Aug 22 -  Melbourne, Australia. LSU Downunder Tour
Sep 23 to Oct 3 - Changsha, China. FIBA Asia
Oct 11 - Shenzhen, China. NBA Global Games

As with previous forays into FIBA action, watching games came with a learning curve. I endeavour to watch as many of the competing nations as possible, sourcing tickets through official channels. Regular games usually don't meet quarter capacity whilst the host nation plays to a packed house which often means having to brave the secondary market. With FIBA Asia in Changsha, there was little choice but to deal with secondary vendors. Rather than having booths by the stadium, tickets were sold at the nearby university. A stall was set up with all the tickets emanating from a lone backpack manned by a student-type, these were snapped up by enterprising locals who tried their luck reselling them. All transactions were cash in hand which makes one wonder where the money ultimately ended up. How much you paid for tickets fluctuated with demand and the whims or mercy of the vendor, a glimpse into the negotiable markets of China.

In some ways this helped. I paid most for tickets in the beginning when I was just getting my bearings and saved money progressively. I watched all 7 Gilas Pilipinas victories paying around 100-200 RMB (AU$20-$40) for the earlier, less coveted games. Come the Playoffs as Gilas matches were incorporated into double-headers with the China games, we were able to ask for tickets from the departing locals who only wanted to watch their national team play. We had to compete with savvy resellers doing the same. Newcomers invariably get taken advantage of so it helps to ask around and get a lay of the land as early as possible. The fun part about these trips are always the things you stumble on and the connections you make that can only happen by being on the ground and having your feelers out.

A photo posted by 30homegames (@30homegames) on Sep 30, 2015 at 5:20pm PDT

Whilst this proved successful for watching other games, I ultimately couldn't stomach paying the high price to see the host nation play. I departed Changsha altogether on the morning of the Philippines VS China grand final knowing it'd be futile trying to watch it live. Reports would later say that even Filipino coaching staff had trouble securing tickets for the game.

This proved the same for the NBA Global Games in Shenzhen between the Charlotte Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers. With tickets starting at a hefty AU$80 and ultimately selling out, I braced myself for an uphill battle. I was happy to observe the pandemonium in search for access but didn't want to risk any money by joining them, I witnessed every manner of bribery and trickery imaginable from eager travelers and locals desperate to watch the game.

Vista views: Fenghuang and Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Ticketing aside, for me these trips are shaped by the adventures outside of basketball. Without the benefit of a rolling start and the considerable language barrier, this mission was arguably my most challenging travel experience. As South China was less frequented by western travelers I didn't encounter many peers, on the other hand I was less concerned about falling prey to travel scams. Interestingly as China is densely populated and I'd unwittingly visited during the Golden Week holiday, I was never very far from hordes of Chinese locals who were commuting during their short annual window away from work. En route to my final basketball destination in Shenzhen, I spent a week traveling through Fenghuang (Ancient Phoenix town) and Zhangjiajie National Forest Park (popularly inspiring James Cameron's 'Avatar'). Heavy rain and a severe dose of food poisoning put a damper on some of the days but it turned out to be some of the most scenic places I've ever visited.

The China trip gave me lessons and set expectations for AfroBasket and FIBA World Cup if I am to pursue them. Likewise for missions in general. At times it can feel more like a business trip, as previously these basketball trips were happy detours on a larger backpacking adventure I hadn't really noticed the process of it previously. Interestingly all my trips this year have been in the service of basketball, beginning with USA to Melbourne, New Zealand and China. I like traveling with a larger theme in mind, so its only fitting.
Its been a good year. My daily Instagram snapshots, whilst seemingly one-dimensional with its basketball theme offers a fair accounting of what I've been up to. No plans for 2016 but I've got my head up waiting for the next play.

Find other Basketball adventures here:
- Balancing Basketball and Travel in Lithuania (1 of 2)
- My time in Caracas, Venezuela for FIBA Americas 2013
- Hashtag Roadtrip: #30HGroadtrip

30HG Interviews | Simon Valenzuela aka @dongmegatron: Premier jersey collector of Aussie NBA stars

@dongmegatron - Simon Valenzuela, Aussie NBA fan, jersey collector

I stumbled onto Simon aka @dongmegatron's collection on Instagram and instantly geeked out. Not only did he have an impressive array of obscure NBA jerseys but better still — was representing Australia.

I've expressed my appreciation for overlooked jerseys, having founded the #Scavenjersey campaign to encourage myself and others to snap novel basketball jerseys in the wild. Interestingly @dongmegatron found himself in my archive when I snapped his Josh Childress Atlanta Hawks jersey at a Sydney Kings game. This was an interesting revelation days after Simon was kind enough to share his process as undoubtedly the most comprehensive collector of Australian NBA jerseys.

I unwittingly capture Simon for his Josh Childress #Scavenjersey months before finding his @dongmegatron IG.

Find my interview with Simon below and make sure you check out our entries to be ESPN's Ultimate Fan.

1) The first jersey that started the collection and the moment you decided to dedicate yourself to the cause?
I first started following basketball in 1994. My first jerseys were the ones retailing in Australia made by Starter around 1994/95. I first had Shaq and Penny black Orlando jerseys, but the first jersey I was really proud of was the Champion Blue Orlando Horace Grant jersey. Got it from Card Shaq in Parramatta and was stoked to see it in the store. It wasn't til I began part time work that I was able to start buying whatever jerseys I wanted though.

The collection really started to come about when Australian retailers began selling the Concept Sports/Steve Rolton Agencies jerseys that were licenced in Australia. This was around 2001 when they had Jordan Wizards, Kobe, Vince Raptors, KG, Iverson etc. I began buying all of those and then got into the online scene as eBay became more accessible and had much more variety and teams from Nike, Reebok and now Adidas. Soon enough I had a jersey from each of the 30 teams, then a home/away/alternate etc.

2) What percentage of your jerseys were bought when the player was active compared to after. Could you break it down? 
In terms of the Australian NBA players, I guess a majority would have been acquired after the player was active or had changed teams. Obviously with the current crop of 7 players it's a lot easier to get the base home/away jerseys of these players. However, with the new style of Swingman it's much harder to get role players jerseys made up. Also about half of the Aussies that have played in the NBA are either retired or playing overseas, so all of them I've had to source after they were active.

a) Arena and Team store buys (current, physical)
Went to USA for my 30th and went to 6 different arenas, so bought a jersey at each one. But obviously a very small portion as I don't have access.

b) Auctions, outlets (after, physical)
Meigray for game-worn jerseys. Bought a few different ones in the last few years. Game worn Mills and Baynes NBA Finals jerseys, Baynes Latin Nights jersey, Baynes Christmas jersey, Dave Andersen jerseys, Mills opening day Championship commemoration jersey and the recent Bogut/Delly/Bairstow Christmas jerseys. Still a small percentage.

c) Online retailers (current, online)
Over the years I've bought a decent amount from online retailers. NBA.com when it was easier in the past, FansEdge, Fanzz etc... but prices are high and the ones they sell are generally also available on eBay so these days I don't do retail too often.

d) eBay (after, online)
Majority off eBay. Sellers are much more likely to ship to Australia. Steady supply of blank jerseys which is great for making Aussie players. Prices are much cheaper, especially for players not with that team any more (fullmoonjerseys sell cheap Swingmans) as well as plenty of sellers selling authentic jerseys much lower than the $300 retail.

VIDEO: Australia's Biggest NBA Fan presented by ESPN  

This is Simon's submission for the 'ESPN Ultimate Fan' competition. 

Find his entry here and make sure to upvote it. (Entries close March 15, 2015)

3) Where do you stand on counterfeits and the ability to customise jerseys with "Insert name" services? 
I'm against counterfeits especially the ones you see at Paddy's Markets etc that are so obvious. There's some very high quality fakes online which are much harder to spot, and they're not so bad. I think replica screen prints are absolute garbage. The Reebok/Adidas ones are so cheap looking, have huge wide shoulders which make the dimensions look square.

In terms of customising, I'm all for it. That's how most of my Aussie jerseys have been able to be made, by buying blanks or stripping other players jerseys. This has been a godsend, as NBA.com is quite a headache (shipping so overpriced/don't ship custom jerseys to AUS/limited range of customisable jerseys). This is more evident now a days when teams have all these commemorative jerseys eg. Christmas Day, Spurs Military, Warriors Chinese New Year where they only sell the star players jerseys. In the past it wasn't so bad, as I could strip the stitching on a Swingman and get it customised but now the 2015 jerseys are heat pressed and I'm not sure they can be removed with any amount of ease.

4) Have any of the players ever reached out to you about your collection? 
A few have. Mark Bradtke sent me a DM on Twitter, and I've seen plenty of ex NBA guys at NBL arenas or Boomers events (Schenscher/Heal) or (Jawai/Patty Mills/Dave Andersen) and they've all commented on the jerseys and often told a story or two.

5) If you were to start another collection now, i.e collecting jerseys of every NBA player from Lithuania, would it be possible? How crucial is timing and getting a headstart? 
It helps but I have only really been making an effort to collect Australian players the last 5 or 6 years. I think it'll be harder now if you're going for era authenticity as the NBA logo is now on the back of the jersey etc, so current custom swingman jerseys won't be consistent with players prior to this season. But many of the jerseys I've made eg. Longley Timberwolves have had to be customised jerseys (strip name and number off Laettner) and sent to this tailor in the US who does a very good job. So it can still be done but depending how far back you want to go, it obviously gets harder. But using your example it'd be quite easy to find an old Rasheed Wallace Portland swingman and turn it into a Sabonis, a Tim Hardaway or Chris Mullin. A Warriors Hardwood Classics jersey into a Šarūnas Marčiulionis, so it's not impossible. Just need to know the right place to get the custom name/number sewn on.

6) Talk about the process and rewards. Describe the thrill of the chase to those non-collectors out there. Any "ones that got away"? 
There's always ones that got away. In the last year or so there was a Game-worn Anstey Bulls and a Longley Suns jerseys that went for only a couple of hundred bucks but as with any hobby there's always a thrill in collecting. You learn to recognise the rarer types of jerseys and appreciate someone else's collection. And by posting my pics on Instagram now I see how many other people out there like the same thing.

Inspired by the collection of @dongmegatron, a tribute graphic to the forgotten stints of Australians in the #NBA. I had the chance to interview the avid jersey seeker about his process and prized possessions. Find it on the blog here: tinyurl.com/ljdbqdf #ESPNultimatefan #AussieBoomers #GoBoomers #NBL #NBA #DownUnder

A photo posted by 30homegames (@30homegames) on Mar 2, 2015 at 7:10am PST

7) What is your all-time holy grail? What's your prized possession. Any preferences as far as manufacturers and eras?
I love the Patty Mills finals game worn jersey. It has a place in history and it also fits me so I can wear it in public. Also Horace Grant was the first player I began collecting so I have plenty of game worn Orlando/Lakers jerseys as well as some hard to find ones like Authentic Bulls, Authentic '94 All-Star and Authentic Sonics jerseys. But the era I probably like the most is around the '95-99 era, when Champion used a lot of the tie-dye or whatever it was to ink the logos in the jersey. Ones like the Pistons horse head, Hawks Mutombo style, Sonics finals, Rockets Pippen types. Brings back that nostalgic feeling of when I was younger and never had access to these jerseys.

8) Any Jersey collections you look up to or would like to mention?
The way I began getting them customised was when I bought a Sonics blank jersey off eBay and the seller was able to make it into a Horace. After that I kept in contact and found out he could do it to many jerseys, as he had access to old Champion materials and had a good tailor that did a professional job. His name is Jersey Jim and I popped into his place in Fresno California when I was in the States. This dude has one of the most impressive NBA game worn jersey collections in the world. Thousands of jerseys, I could've spent all day there. He obviously has contacts in the league to allow him to get such good gear.

9) Do you have collector peers? Is there a scene, how can someone get involved in it? 
Not really into any scene as such, I'm not aware of any. My friends and I all have an abnormally large amount of jerseys, but that's about it. I've come across some nice collections on Instagram, but I'm very new to the app.

Follow Simon on Instagram - @dongmegatron
Vote on ESPN and send Simon to LA - Australia's Biggest Fan

------------------------------------------------------------

Part of the reason I started @30HomeGames was not only to share my love for the game but to find likeminded folks with the same passion and interest. It's been an ethos that has served me well in my travels, bonding through sport and connecting with fellow fans even when language and being an outsider proved a barrier. This connection has been an example of that, the mutual appreciation and willingness to share tricks of the trade to a fellow fan. Realising @dongmegratron and I had already crossed paths says a lot about the "court vision" #UltimateNBAfans share.

'30 Home Games' on Instagram: Basketball Souvenirs, Streetball and Hoops around the world

Jacques Henri Lartigue: Why I'm getting a camera
I was steadfast (stubborn) in not getting a camera as I had enjoyed the manufactured dynamic when I told people I was without one. I was happy with other people's photos, it became an experiment. It allowed me to live in the moment, any photos of me were candids or documented outside myself.

Many of my basketball experiences during my travels haven't been captured in photos. I only got my first smartphone 3 months ago (Shoutout to SP*) and only had a camera for a quarter of my time during Europe 2011 and South America 2013.

The '30 Home Games' mission in pictures
Follow @30HomeGames on Instagram

The main goal of this blog is to have lived experiences, writing about it has been a good way to capture the memories and encouraged me to find more. Often times however it's been without photographs. I don't have any courtside shots of the games I watched in Caracas (FIBA Americas) or the during the NBA lockout period that made my time in Lithuania (EuroBasket 2011) so star-studded. Whilst they were fun, my interests are more in personal interactions than celebrity-spotting. I value experiences had outside the arena, often through the prism of basketball but ideally as a participant rather than a spectator.

Some moments only gain stature in my mind due to lack of documentation. I befriended an Amsterdam local at a hip-hop bar because of his Amar'e Stoudemire 'Stat NY' shirt. With his recommendation, I took a 30min bus ride to Amsterdam-Noord for some pick-up games which immediately got rained out. Play carried on, a mixed full court game in the wet gray. A moment that has stuck with me for its surrealness.

The last few months up I've set up a '30 Home Games' Instagram to house the photos I do have. Below are a few samples of the types of photos, graphics and hashtags to look out for. A few are crossposted on my my other platforms - The 30HG Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.

My collection of sneakers and the stories behind them
Explore #30HGkicks

Basketball references are always shoehorned into each life snapshot
Porto Alegre, Brazil (Oct 2013)

Streetball experiences at home and in my travels
Bogota, Colombia (December 2013)

Collection of Basketball shirts collected in my travels
Explore #30HGtees

Crossposts of the graphics found on this blog
'Team UNDFTD' emerge victorious

Basketball adventures found in my hometown of Sydney
'One Day Sundays' (Booze, Beats and Ball) at Vic on the Park

Kindly Follow '30 Home Games' on Instagram. Tell a friend to tell a friend :)

30HG Interviews | Australian NBA Tourism: NBA summer leagues and other pro-am summer events

For international fans traveling to the States during the off-season there are still opportunities to catch NBA action and quality basketball in the summer. Various pro-am and brand sponsored events regularly feature NBA stars and other famed streetballers. NBA summer leagues in Orlando and Las Vegas also offer a limited set of NBA teams showcasing upcoming stars.

My outlet store pickups from Summer League 2009
Find more at #30HGtees on the '30 Home Games' Instagram

Whilst I've had the pleasure of seeing NBA players in action at home (Sydney 2000) and abroad (EuroBasket, FIBA Americas), my only taste of them stateside was during the 2009 Summer League in Las Vegas.

Samsung NBA Summer League: Las Vegas

My friend JY*, a die-hard Pistons fan recently checked out the 2014 NBA Summer League. He had the fortune to preview rookies Jabari Parker and Andrew Wiggins before they take the league by storm. I quizzed him on the experience and asked him to share some thoughts on what to expect at NBA Summer League and the stars we'll see in the upcoming season. All photos courtesy of JY*

Where did you stay and how long were you in Vegas. How much were the tickets?
I only attended 2 days due to family commitments. We stayed with the in-laws who live relatively close to the stadium. At $28 a day (up to 4 games) I thought that was a bargain, definitely worth it so no need to approach the scalpers.

Australia's own Dante Exum facing down Giannis Antetokounmpo

Basically there are 2 stadiums - Thomas & Mack Center and the Cox Pavilion (right next to each other). If the game you want to see is at the Cox Pavilion - book your tickets well in advance (limited seating). If your games are at the Thomas & Mack you can rock up on the day (plenty of seats).

[Ed: Scalpers approached us during my visit in 2009. As Re-entry with a stamp was possible, opportunists offered discounted stadium access with their replica stamps. I'm sure the system has changed.

The Thomas & Mack Center would later become infamous as it was the site of Paul George's gruesome injury a few week after Summer League play. The non-regulation basket stanchion due to the stadium's cramp spacing partly to blame for the freak occurrence.]

Giannis with an acrobatic layup

Any tips on players to look out for in Fantasy?
From the 7 games I saw, Giannis really stood out for me. Just an unbelievable athlete who had a LOT of confidence at both ends of the floor. He reminded me of Durant to be honest. Jabari reminded me of Melo, he had a lot of maturity and looked very comfortable with the ball in his hands during ISO plays. Great shooter too. Exum looked very comfortable too, great penetrator and fearless. I just think he'll get outmuscled by the bigger 2-guards, so best for Jazz to to play 'run and gun'. Tim Hardaway Jnr was an absolute scoring machine and was probably the most intense player I saw at the Summer League. Shane Larkin also made a big difference for the Knicks when he was on the floor, solid point guard and if Calderon picked up an injury, Larkin would be a double-double player. The players I was disappointed in were Ben McLemore (quiet), Noah Vonleh (lacked activity) and Shabazz Napier (low points + assists) - I sure won't be grabbing these guys on my fantasy team!

Freshman coach Derek Fisher speaking to his New York Knicks

How is Summer League competition? Who would it appeal to?
100% this is for the nerds, definitely not enough star power there to excite the average fans. I honestly thought it was Disneyland though as there were plenty of coaches/players walking around the stadium and if you were lucky sitting in the stands with you! I'm also really interested in rookies and the other up-and-coming sort of players. Running into the likes of Ben McLemore, Nerlens Noel, Tom Thibodeau and Scott Brooks was really cool. I went up to Austin Daye too, not the biggest name but an ex-pistons rookie.

#2 Pick Jabari Parker leading the Milwaukee Bucks

Any other brushes with fame in Vegas?
Coincidentally went to the PALMS one night and ran into a NBA table tennis fundraiser. Couldn't actually get in but saw Mike Bibby, Mike Dunleavy Snr and Dennis Schröder walk out.

[Ed: If you know your players, you'll have plenty of sightings. During my 2009 experience Walt Frazier hopped into our cab after we were done with it. I congratulated Corey Brewer on a standout performance as he was cashing chips at the Casino]

Philadelphia 76ers "rookie" Nerlens Noel

Which teams stood out for you? Upset Detroit weren't playing?
I think the Jazz and Bucks have a lot of young talent coming through which showed at the Summer League. If the Bucks have Larry Sanders playing, I think they are a very complete team. Same with the Jazz, solid at all 5 positions. Given a couple of years who knows where these teams could be. McBuckets didn't play on the day I went which is probably the biggest disappointment as from previous games it appears he was a steal for the Bulls and gives them another good wing player in addition to Snell and Butler. It was OK, the Pistons played the smaller Florida Summer League. Overall the Summer League was an unbelievable experience for this NBA diehard, still yet to see a regular season game live after 20 years following the league. I would definitely return, the next item on the bucket list is to see a Pistons game for sure!

-------------------------------------------------------------

As a hoops nerd, I'd love to be a part of NBA Summer League or any of the pro-am events available during the off-season. Whilst I prefer the intensity of playoff basketball it's nice to celebrate upcoming talent and witness the future and potential of the NBA in casual surroundings. More often than not, they're also hosted in interesting parts of the country.

I've compiled a list of annual summer events below:
- Drew League (Los Angeles, August)
- The Seattle Pro-Am Basketball League (Seattle, August)
- Samsung NBA Summer League (Orlando, July)
- Samsung NBA Summer League (Las Vegas, July)
- Bobbito Garcia's Full Court 21 (New York City, August)
- Venice Basketball League (Los Angeles, July - September)
- Miami Pro League (Miami, August)

- Nike Hoops Summit (Portland, April)
- Adidas Nations global basketball camp (Orange County, August)
- Under Armour Elite 24 (New York, August)

Find my other posts on American traveling tips from Australia:
- Australian NBA Tourism: Planning an NBA road Trip from outside the United States
- Australian NBA Tourism: NBA Summer Leagues and other Pro-am Summer events