Last I reported the Cubs were winning in Maui and continued an impressive streak of series victories over their opponents. The red-hot Cubbies had won 4 straight games going into May, and while I watched in Maui were 6-1 including a sweep of the Cardinals. This is why it’s always been “a magical place where the Cubs win all the time.” By the time I got back to the mainland, they were ready to face the division leading Brewers. A 7-0 thumping made me wish I was back in the islands, but a gutsy 15-inning walk-off victory and a win in the series finale put the Cubs in the National League Central drivers seat for the first time this season, as the Cardinals continued to fade. It seemed like the last-place Reds would be easy picking, especially after winning the opener in Cincinnati. However, after the Reds prevailed in the next two battles, it turned out to be the first series loss in over a month. So far in May, the Cubs have gone 11-4, including a 14-6 drubbing of the Nats and ace starting pitcher Max Scherzer. Kris Bryant homered 3 times to lead the Cubs assault. 

The Portland Trailblazers also had a magical touch during our Maui getaway with the four overtime victory over the Nuggets. They went on to claim that series and a consolation prize of facing the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, So far, the Warriors have lived up to their goal of claiming a three-peat, especially after the 17-point comeback in Game 2. The Blazers are hoping that the home court puts them back into contention. We have plans to go to game 4 at the Moda Center. 

We’ve lived in Portland now for five years, so I guess that gives us the right to be fans of the team. I grew up a Blazer fan, although it was the Elkhart Blue Blazers, my hometown high school team. The Indiana Pacers were my NBA team of choice, while Portland was just too far away to even follow. College basketball was by far my preference, although my business included selling advertising for Pacers games on radio. I got to know some of the players, including Reggie Miller, and entertained clients at games. My wife’s company now has Trailblazer tickets, so we’ve gone to several games this year. I’ve followed them very closely this year, especially in the Playoffs. The Damian Lillard bobble-head on my office shelf is nodding with approval. Game 3 is tonight but we’ll be at the home of one of my wife’s former client, so I’m not sure if the game will be on or not. 

I honestly did not realize the significance of the Trailblazers logo until just this morning. I saw it displayed on a car sticker and tried to figure out the meaning of its unique pinwheel-like design. At first, I thought the lines were trails leading to a center point perhaps reflecting on the Lewis & Clark Expedition. After some research, I discovered that “the five lines on either side of the graphic represent five offensive players and five defensive players coming together to compete in the game of basketball.” Honestly, they might need ten players to effectively compete against the Golden State five for any chance to move on to the first NBA title since 1977.