We have all worked with a person or two that goes counter to the stream.  Everyone likes quirky personalities but these individuals grate on the nerves of most around them.  When they go, most look forward to quieter days.  The companies that pick up these people have their hands full with malcontent talents.  Houston and Dallas did just this with one of them having superior judgment in this field.  Find out which franchise is up 2-0 with their late season pick up paying off big dividends in this edition of AB’s The Brink.

Measuring Disgruntlement 

Both teams got questionable locker room presences for playoff runs.  Josh Smith was known world wide for grumbling and mumbling but Rajon Rondo’s problems were more under the surface.  Well the teams that picked up these players are going head to head in the first round of the NBA playoffs and give the edge to Houston.  Most everyone on the outside were applauding the Mavs while sitting stunned as the Rockets got an unloaded Josh Smith.  Game Two might be the final straw in a very short Rondo expirement.  Foul trouble had him hovering near the bench the whole night.  Finally when he got his forth barely in the third, coach Carlisle never considered him again.  Kudos for convincing us and seeing in him that he could actually pass up shots.  He had nine assists in the 111-99 win.

Brooks Oprik’s Bad Beer Day

A long night of work is typically rewarded with a cold beer.  The refreshment came as a little bit of a surprise for Brooks Orpik during his teams 2-1 overtime win over the Islanders.  The Caps’ defenseman ushered in new levels of contact in this game.  He hit and got rocked himself all night long.  Even a teammate got him in the face with a skate.  After the final siren and teams lined up for the handshake, he let his guard down.  Sad for him that his post game libation was to start right there and then.  One lucky fan got in that parting shot of pelting Orpik with a beer chucked from the stands.  I wonder if the alcohol at least had a sterlizing effect for the stitches on his face.

 

Tonight is the night in the NHL when the road teams strike back.  A lot of high seeds try to take down the lesser lights of the NHL.  Will there be another shocker like the 3-0 shutout of the Lightning by Detroit?  Calgary pounding Vancouver was eyebrow raising as well.  Nope, seeding will trump home ice advantage this evening.  Go with the away goals over the home goal totals in the NHL’s Grand Salami this evening.  Good fortune to us and we will see you tomorrow at the Brink.