It seamed that JA was chit chatty most of the evening. I personally enjoyed the hell out of it. He was complimenting SVB and also complaining a few times about the rolls. He was talking to the crowd in between the racks. Seamed loose as a goose but when he did talk it seamed like he picked his spots right after SVB makes an error. Was he trying to get into SVB's head or is he just a fun loving talky kind of person? Was he being sarcastic when he was saying SVB is the best? Do you think all the gabbing had any impact on SVB's play?
Does anyone notice that JA usually repeats everything he says...kind of like a Blues Singer..
JA is in a good mood, his son Lee had several big operations on his ear, he almost lost his hearing in one side, they had to take out the 3 little bones and store them for a few months before they could re-install them in his ear it was so bad. During that time and up to it, JA couldnt make a ball. He lost 8-0 to Appleton and 8-0 to Descahne(ran a 8 pack) and went 2 & out in the 10 ball this time last year. He flew to China for 3 days and went 2 and out then as well. Those were difficult times. JA is a fun loving guy, he jokes around constantly when he is happy, behind the scenes he is the class clown-I cant say what all he has done but some very funny stuff.
Right now his son Lee is all patched up, great kid, tough as nails and JA is in a great mood. He has a wonderful family and when thats going well he beats players. When he has family stress he doesent play as good as he is capable of.
I figure this to be a close match, I roomed with JA last week for 8 or 9 days and I know where his focus is. Shane is the real deal as we all know and he will have to play his best to win. The reason he didnt look good yesterday(from what i have been told) is simple, just like in boxing a great fighter can make a good fighter look not-so-good. Shane cant front run JA like he has so many other guys. So he might not look as good, but i'm sure SVB is playing good. He is pumped up for this match too, we(me, JA,SVB) tried for 4 years to make it happen, thanks to JCIN and Co,. its happening.:thumbup:
JA is just being honest about his feeling about SVB, they are both honest. I know them both very good and there is no BS or hype going on. As far as bothering SVB, if his hearing aids are out he still may hear a little but it wont bother him,. Same for JA these guys are well seasoned and who plays best will win. JA is the better player rite now, because he has played longer-SVB didnt disagree, that dont mean SBV cant win, he can.
I think When SVB is 35 he will be in JA's league, Shane is still getting better and improving every year-he has a ways to go. JA is just solid at his best. Shane see's that too-he told me so, he knows he is getting better and thats exciting. He loves it, his patterns and CB are so much better now than 5 years ago, he is rock solid on the M-Cup, his One Pocket game is like 5 balls better than 4 years ago. I spoke to Shane about this and told him what I saw, he agreed with me. I didnt come to this conclusion on my own, I spoke to a few "older" champions and they saw it as I did(I sure as hell aint comparing myself to a champion, just watched lots of pool) and SVB verified it. Thats how it went down. I am proud that I did see the progression of Shanes game as the real guys have seen SVB's game develop. he plays a much more mature game now.
thats whats really going on, we finally got the 2 big guns matched up thanks again to TAR, JCIN & Co.
I find myself talking more as i get older, i'm not sure why. perhaps self confidence. what ever the underlying reason is, one thing its not and thats to shark Shane. JA has way to much respect for Shane to do that.
I figure it to be close again tonight, who ever plays the best will win. I can make a case for either of them to win, it hard to see who the loser is IMO.
I'm just glad they are playing and next week is just as exciting. And I cant see who loses there either, it may just come down to the roll's. imagine that?!?!?!
Best
Eric:smile: