Shane vs Dechaine

I certainly found it curious that when the ref looked at the rack and made Shane correct it, Shane no longer was making a ball using his 10 ball break. I would imagine he *prefers* that break since he has such awesome cueball control, and based on the pre-match warmup, that was the break he was practicing.

Obvioulsy Shane, being the champion that he is, made an adjustment and was able to pocket balls an alternative way.

Bottom line, I do not think Mike was out of line asking the ref to check the rack if he suspected that Shane was doing something with the rack. Based on the change in break style, *HE WAS!!* Now as for the style of delivering that message...I didn't get to see that so I can't comment on it.

KMRUNOUT
 
pooladdict said:
well, he may not do it with style, but he has a point:

SVB was breaking almost from the center of the table against Alex, using his 10-ball break. If all balls were frozen, the corner ball wouldnt be dead every time, but in it went..
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10 ball breaks weigh better from the middle AND they used the magic rack...


You should try it some time.
 
BasementDweller said:
I have to admit I don't like the few things that I heard about my favorite player at the DCC. I'm trying to give him the benefit of the doubt at the moment. But he's on a short leash. :thumbup: That 4 rail back shot was tough to swallow.

One thing I don't get about the way you guys handle the break and I've seen Shane do this quite a few times in matches is - when you are playing opponent racks - Shane will always inspect the rack (like all of you) but he will even lay his cue down and adjust the balls. If I was playing him (which is very far fetched) I wouldn't allow him to touch the balls like that when I was racking. I don't understand why that's allowed. :confused: This usually happens when the magic rack is involved.

Now rack your own, that's a whole nother story.
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There was also a case in the 1 pocket vs Brandon Shuff where Shane made a questionable hit, hesitated and looked at Brandon to see his reaction. Brandon said you make the call, Shane said he thought it was good, several spectators in the front row said it was a bad hit, and Shane relented and gave up the ball in hand.

No doubt Shane's a great player, but I've heard enough stories now to believe that he will take what he can get away with. That disappoints me. I don't play like that, and there are many honorable pros out there. I'm all about whatever helps the sport in the long run, and cheating if you can get away with it doesn't help.

I agree with others who say he is the best American player right now, probably in the top 5 in the world. Like it or not, that makes him a role model, and that's why it is so disappointing that he seems willing to do things and make decisions that are not completely honorable.
 
B.Carson said:
Give the guy a break... He called the guy out for not racking properly. If you have ever gambled or played in a decent tournament this is something that comes up all the time. The guy is pretty young if i'm not mistaken and we all know learning how to handle these situations with tempered emotions comes with age for most.

Calling the guy a "douche" and a "*****ass" is way out of line imo. You should all be ashamed of yourselves :angry:
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Give me a freaking break, Mike is an excellent player but his attitude and consistent BS is old. Do some research, this is who he is and what he does.

<------- not ashamed at all
 
B.Carson said:
Give the guy a break... He called the guy out for not racking properly. If you have ever gambled or played in a decent tournament this is something that comes up all the time. The guy is pretty young if i'm not mistaken and we all know learning how to handle these situations with tempered emotions comes with age for most.

Calling the guy a "douche" and a "*****ass" is way out of line imo. You should all be ashamed of yourselves :angry:
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I agree, and yet B.Carson's post was followed by yet another immature slam on Mike. Sadly, that's the nature of the forums I guess.
 
purpdrag said:
There was also a case in the 1 pocket vs Brandon Shuff where Shane made a questionable hit, hesitated and looked at Brandon to see his reaction. Brandon said you make the call, Shane said he thought it was good, several spectators in the front row said it was a bad hit, and Shane relented and gave up the ball in hand.

No doubt Shane's a great player, but I've heard enough stories now to believe that he will take what he can get away with. That disappoints me. I don't play like that, and there are many honorable pros out there. I'm all about whatever helps the sport in the long run, and cheating if you can get away with it doesn't help.

I agree with others who say he is the best American player right now, probably in the top 5 in the world. Like it or not, that makes him a role model, and that's why it is so disappointing that he seems willing to do things and make decisions that are not completely honorable.
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+1 Not to take anything away from Shane's talent but it does seem that if he can get away with a move then he'll do it. Not to say he's the only one but perhaps it's time for us not to let his talent glaze this kind of stuff over.
 
At the top, the difference between winning/ losing is a very small % (of skill/ luck...anything beneficial), it would be naive to think they ALL will push all advantages available as far as possible.

Bring on the ref.

And I agree: there should be no touching of balls once the rack is removed.
 
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All refs/TDs/players need to watch Joe Tucker's racking secrets until the knowledge is completely second nature.
 
I enjoy watching Mike play, there's nothing homo about his chalking technique. Reminds me of a black bear playing pool, if they did I would imagine it would be similar to Mike's style.
 
Thanks for the recommendations there guys. I used to do that on the Camel tour with the refs but rather than hope they watch the dvds lets try to get a format that will be easier and more consistent.

I don’t think either player is out of line, not too far out anyways. Between players at this level I don’t think there is anything more important than the rack and then the break. I would simply suggest using a magic rack, a slug Dr or tap the table so both players are getting pretty much the same rack and then I suggest alternate breaks to give both players an equal opportunity.
Someday we’ll all get along :)
Am I dreaming or what?
 
You guys are missing the point. I have sat here and said that Shane is the best, but has his flaws. I am sick of getting bashed on when he sits there and slams his cue or messes with the rack. I sat in my chair and took my beating like a man, granted I have screwed up in the past but we are here now.
 
Mike, I (and many others, I suspect) appreciate that you will come here and participate on the forums. Sadly, I don't think continued comments in this thread are gonna help. As you have already seen, those who don't like you will continue to take pot shots, and all it will do is aggravate you. And I for one would like to see you continue to participate here in the future, so I'd really like to not have you driven away from here.

I'm not gonna speak to the issue at hand, as I didn't see any of this tourney. I have no basis or perspective. But if the ref made shane change, based on mike's comments....
 
If SVB was moving he was moving, it's kind of simple. I also wondered how he was out breaking everyone on the TV table 2 to 1. He's just not known for that 9-ball break.
 
jhanso18 said:
10 ball breaks weigh better from the middle AND they used the magic rack...


You should try it some time.
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Did you watch the ppv at all? They DID NOT use magic rack, and I repeat: With a "10ball break" from the center in 9-ball, the corner ball will not fly in if the balls are frozen.

Mike could have called out SVB on this with more class than he did, but he had all the right in the world to point it out.
 
Mainplayer said:
You guys are missing the point. I have sat here and said that Shane is the best, but has his flaws. I am sick of getting bashed on when he sits there and slams his cue or messes with the rack. I sat in my chair and took my beating like a man, granted I have screwed up in the past but we are here now.
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Good points. It's obvious that Shane has the game to beat anyone, especially after what we've seen in the last month. I have nothing but respect for his game. Stories about his occasional less than professional behavior are starting to pile up...

Did anyone consider that maybe Mike wasn't just acting like a douche, maybe he was actually pointing out something that most are too star-struck to notice? Esp. if what Mikey says is true....Shane's break is not 200% better than everyone else's.

Props to Mike D. for having the balls to come on here and defend himself against a bunch of rose-colored-glasses-wearing n00bs.
 
the420trooper said:
Good points. It's obvious that Shane has the game to beat anyone, especially after what we've seen in the last month. I have nothing but respect for his game. Stories about his occasional less than professional behavior are starting to pile up...

Did anyone consider that maybe Mike wasn't just acting like a douche, maybe he was actually pointing out something that most are too star-struck to notice? Esp. if what Mikey says is true....Shane's break is not 200% better than everyone else's.

Props to Mike D. for having the balls to come on here and defend himself against a bunch of rose-colored-glasses-wearing n00bs.
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Yep...........:thumbup:
 
justadub said:
Mike, I (and many others, I suspect) appreciate that you will come here and participate on the forums. Sadly, I don't think continued comments in this thread are gonna help. As you have already seen, those who don't like you will continue to take pot shots, and all it will do is aggravate you. And I for one would like to see you continue to participate here in the future, so I'd really like to not have you driven away from here.
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^^^^ This. I know it's hard to deal with the thousands of opinions of the peanut gallery - and let's be honest here, AZB, we *are* the peanut gallery, regardless of talent, knowledge, job, etc. Unless you're playing alongside the guys being discussed, by definition, you're part of the gallery.

I love seeing top notch players comment on stuff once in a while, but I understand why it's so incredibly rare to find them on here. It's anything but an ego boost (apparently, unless you're svb; cuz it's hard to find someone to talk bad about him at the moment); everyone gets overly critical of every part of the game.

From cleaning the table, to wearing earphone/headphones/earplugs, to chalking to even how a player goes back to their chair... Everyone has their opinion about every thing.

Mike - I don't think anyone here can doubt your talent, but you will find plenty of people finding issue with the approach to the game at some point or another. From how you play position, to the risks, to how you talk to people off of the table.

The "comforting" point though, is that every other pro player has had the exact same scrutinizing, and the longer they've been around, the more of it they've had to endure.
 
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