Steve Mizerak...

[Jaden]

He was a commentator for the finals match between Jim Rempe and Efren Reyes which is currently in the videos on azbilliards.com and before the match started he was asked about his match with Efren in the semi finals.

No complaining about his better break, or down talking him, he openly stated that he was drilled 13-2 and just didn't get a chance to play.

That's class as far as I'm concerned. No excuses, no complaints, he just got beat and owned it...

Jaden

 

[frankncali]

He was a commentator for the finals match between Jim Rempe and Efren Reyes which is currently in the videos on azbilliards.com and before the match started he was asked about his match with Efren in the semi finals.

No complaining about his better break, or down talking him, he openly stated that he was drilled 13-2 and just didn't get a chance to play.

That's class as far as I'm concerned. No excuses, no complaints, he just got beat and owned it...

Jaden

I am guessing this is stated due to people stating that Shane is a better breaker.

I get your point but Efren did everything better than most then and it was his kicking and creativity that set him apart not his break. I have heard many times talk about how Efrens kicking won him many matches.

Shane wins a lot of matches due to his break. Its a fact and there is nothing wrong with it. He practiced it and has the ability to play world class speed and break better than anyone else in the world.

IMO there are 3 guys that are a little ahead of the pack .. Shane, Dennis and Alex..
Their ability to play all games well is remarkable to me.
If I were choosing a guy to break I choose Shane..
If I were choosing a guy to get out from nowhere and shoot amazing shots--Alex
If I had to stake someone to get the win in a tournament and play consistent--Dennis

People might forget it but when Tiger was playing better golf than anyone people talked about his length and ability to work the ball over distance..... They talked about "tiger proofing" courses. He also never seemed to miss a putt within 10-12 ft
Great players will always have things pointed out about their games. But its because they are actually great that gives them the ability to showcase the little things they are better than anyone else at.

 

[sjm]

IMO there are 3 guys that are a little ahead of the pack .. Shane, Dennis and Alex..
Their ability to play all games well is remarkable to me.

To be fair, there's a guy who has won the World 9-ball title, the World 10-ball title, 2 US Open 9-ball events, two Challenge of Champion events, has come 2nd in the US Open 1-pocket, and is the only player to ever run 200 in 14.1 competition. His name is Darren Appleton, and he is right there with the guys you name. Bustamante also belongs on your list.

Those five are a little ahead of the pack right now.

 

[metallicane]

I miss The Miz. What a stroke he had.

 

[frankncali]

To be fair, there's a guy who has won the World 9-ball title, the World 10-ball title, 2 US Open 9-ball events, two Challenge of Champion events, has come 2nd in the US Open 1-pocket, and is the only player to ever run 200 in 14.1 competition. His name is Darren Appleton, and he is right there with the guys you name. Bustamante also belongs on your list.

Those five are a little ahead of the pack right now.

I understand what your saying but I have Appleton a little behind these guys BUT I think I know why.
Appleton is a guy that IMO is much better than what he was. He game has improved to a very very high level. Not many players are able to climb the ladder touching a lot of the rungs. It seems to me anyway that many players just seem to make big jumps in their levels.

I remember Robb Seaz telling me his game took off when he went on a road trip down to NC. I saw him there and he was in the finals against Archer and said a few times right as the match was starting that he couldnt believe he was playing against JA in the finals of a tourney.

 

[Straightpool_99]

I miss The Miz. What a stroke he had.

Agreed. I'm working on my stroke right now and have been looking all over youtube for videos of Mizeraks stroke looking to emulate it as best I can. The smoothness and power of the Miz' stroke is in my opinon unrivalled, except maybe by Buddy Hall. There are a few videos but not many that really shows it well. All the ones from accu-stats have been taken down, even the old ones that are no longer available for purchase. Too bad.

 

[Toncam]

Agreed. I'm working on my stroke right now and have been looking all over youtube for videos of Mizeraks stroke looking to emulate it as best I can. The smoothness and power of the Miz' stroke is in my opinon unrivalled, except maybe by Buddy Hall. There are a few videos but not many that really shows it well. All the ones from accu-stats have been taken down, even the old ones that are no longer available for purchase. Too bad.

I had a tape of him playing a match years ago and he had a break shot that i thought he would play as a safety. Turns out the OB was uptable and Miz just drilled the ball up in the far left corner and DREW the cue ball into the stack and it scattered pretty damm good. To say i was impressed is an understatement, i almost fell off the couch ! lol.
RIP Miz

 

[sjm]

He was a commentator for the finals match between Jim Rempe and Efren Reyes which is currently in the videos on azbilliards.com and before the match started he was asked about his match with Efren in the semi finals.

No complaining about his better break, or down talking him, he openly stated that he was drilled 13-2 and just didn't get a chance to play.

That's class as far as I'm concerned. No excuses, no complaints, he just got beat and owned it...

Jaden

Hence the irony in Steve playing such a whiner in "The Color of Money." After losing to Eddie Felson, Steve said "I didn't deserve that" and Eddie's great reply was "Yeah, you did."

As for Steve's stroke, a few had more power and a few had more finesse, but Steve had the best combination of power and finesse on the planet. Best stroke I've ever seen.