Taylor was undoubtedly a great player in his era. And a match for anyone. I have to think that in his prime he could have played anyone, past or present. Once again the conditions (equipment) were very different in his day to what they play on now, primarily the slow cloth. Put Alex on that equipment and he might have trouble with Taylor. All this is what my heart tells me. But my head says that maybe Chris is right. Alex may be the better player, particularly at 9-Ball or Ten Ball. He just plays the game at a higher level than anyone from that earlier generation.
There is only one game where I will continue to make Taylor the favorite over Alex or anyone else. That game is Banks. If you think of a Jason Miller or a Gary Spaeth or a Wade Crane at their absolute best, that is how Taylor played all the time. He was just a little more accurate and consistent then today's bankers. To him 9-Ball Bank would be a joke. I suspect he would have run fours and fives all day, and if allowed to continue, run many six's and above as well. He might even run all nine banks every once in a while.
Now going back to Alex and his abilities. I also saw Parica at his peak. I make him the slight favorite over Alex at 9-Ball of Ten ball. To put it in perspective, think of the best skills of both Dennis Orcollo and Efren Reyes put into one package. Then you begin to grasp the skills of Parica in his prime. He was a fierce money player, who never let up and never got intimidated. He played a lot like Earl played in tournaments, except for the cash. And his run outs appeared slightly more controlled than Earl's.
At One Pocket, Alex might have had a slight edge, but not much. I rate Parica only a hair under Reyes at this game, and probably a better gambler. He would not give up and continue to put relentless pressure on Alex or anyone else. It is Jose and not Cliff who is the second best One Pocket player of their generation. I know one thing that maybe even Chris doesn't know. Ten years or so ago, Alex would not mess with Parica, at ANY game! He KNEW he was outmatched. If you don't believe me ask him.
That brings us to present day. I've seen Alex at his best, against Shane and others. He is an extremely talented player, maybe the best One Pocket player today. Although I'd like to see him and Gabe go at it in a long match. But at Ten Ball in a tournament I'd take Wu over him and in a money game I'd take Yang. If either of these matches happen, that's the way I would bet. It would take Parica at his best to have a chance with Yang for the cash. And I've seen Wu make even the great Mika, Ralf and Shane look like they were one speed under him.
All this being said, if the modern era of pool players all had to play a match of One Pocket and Ten Ball, I'd be betting on Alex too! :wink: