Mosconi Cup thoughts

[bestinthezest]

I think team US can beat Team Europe, but they are not gonna do it until they treat it like they care. Team Europe is all business and really cares about winning. They are a complete team. They treat is like a job. You can not take anything away from team Europe, They are great. USA seems like they are more ready to celebrate winning one rack or set than winning the whole event. It is not necessary. Take care of business then celebrate. They also need to get hungry players that have that killer instinct. SVB is a shoe in. Cant go wrong with him. There is know way you can have Earl The Pearl on your team, Even though he is great, Is he really worth the stress he brings to the table, Dennis Hatch just does not get it done, He is a great player, great gambler, but I think there are other players that may want the win more. Archer did not play great this year. But has always done good in the past. Rodney Morris can also be replaced in my opinion. I think there are better options. These are just my opinion's. Right or wrong. There is no debate from me. Everyone has there own thoughts,

My 2014 TEAM
Captain: Tony Robles
Players:
SVB
Johnny Archer
Corey Deul
Donnie Mills
John Scmidt

Other Good Players:
Mike Dechaine- Hot Head- Not sure if a team guy
John Pinteger- Hot Head- Not sure if a team guy
Earl Strickland- Off his rocker
Dennis Hatch- Time to give new blood a chance
Rodney Morris- Great player- Just time to give new blood a chance
Brandon Shuff- Will get his chance again one Day
Oscar Dominguez- USA Did win the year he Played- Maybe will again one day
Chris Bartrum- Good guy- Skill Level?

 

[boogeyman]

I think team US can beat Team Europe, but they are not gonna do it until they treat it like they care. Team Europe is all business and really cares about winning. They are a complete team. They treat is like a job. You can not take anything away from team Europe, They are great. USA seems like they are more ready to celebrate winning one rack or set than winning the whole event. It is not necessary. Take care of business then celebrate. They also need to get hungry players that have that killer instinct. SVB is a shoe in. Cant go wrong with him. There is know way you can have Earl The Pearl on your team, Even though he is great, Is he really worth the stress he brings to the table, Dennis Hatch just does not get it done, He is a great player, great gambler, but I think there are other players that may want the win more. Archer did not play great this year. But has always done good in the past. Rodney Morris can also be replaced in my opinion. I think there are better options. These are just my opinion's. Right or wrong. There is no debate from me. Everyone has there own thoughts,

My 2014 TEAM
Captain: Tony Robles
Players:
SVB
Johnny Archer
Corey Deul
Donnie Mills
John Scmidt

Other Good Players:
Mike Dechaine- Hot Head- Not sure if a team guy
John Pinteger- Hot Head- Not sure if a team guy
Earl Strickland- Off his rocker
Dennis Hatch- Time to give new blood a chance
Rodney Morris- Great player- Just time to give new blood a chance
Brandon Shuff- Will get his chance again one Day
Oscar Dominguez- USA Did win the year he Played- Maybe will again one day
Chris Bartrum- Good guy- Skill Level?

I love your picks overall except I'm not sure why you and others would pick Robles as captain.
He is the perfect player for this event. Calm, cool, and collected.
He doesn't NEED to be the best player out there.
When a cool head is required he is someone who has the skills to go with it.
We must remember the nature of the MC: It is shot for shot, short-race 9ball.
Don't need to run racks here. Maturity, intelligence, patience, professionalism, confidence, and heart are what is needed at the MC
in any sport for that matter..

We don't need any known hot-heads that's for sure.

On that note: Earl needs to be gone. And for all of those who were licking their chops when Earl was chosen, I hope you are all
satisfied. I'm not blaming him for any bad shots that caused their loss, I AM blaming him for his ostensible disrespect and overall
bad attitude which DID NOT help the morale of our team.

And for those who offer medical excuses for him, well, if he can't control
his behaviors, which evidently he can't, why the hell do we continue to enable him? If you had a bona fide medical condition at work
and you couldn't get it under control you would be fired! What makes a pool player anything special?

Further, IMO John Schmidt is prone to throwing fits. He threw one at the 14.1 Worlds last year.

I think we agree on most, e.g. SVB, Deuel, (I like D. Mills too), but I would put Oscar, Robles, and any fascinating fresh meat who comes along.

Johnny, IMO, should not play anymore. He's ready to be the captain.
He has so much knowledge now, he should pass that on from the stands.
He also has great team perspective and can disseminate that attribute to the team.
But NOT while he is playing. NO WAY!
Johnny's wife and children need to stay home or out of the way as well.
Too distracting at a sporting event. Bless their hearts.