Pathetic Shark
Banned
Absolutely. I thought mind games went out with Alex Ferguson. Clearly not.
A different perspective on the Mosconi Cup
- Thread starter NYC cue dude
- Start date
Absolutely. I thought mind games went out with Alex Ferguson. Clearly not.
Pathetic Shark
Banned
Whilst you make a variety of good points, as ever, CJ was talking about last year's MC, which was in London, where he could fill his boots with mushy peas, 20 stone heifers and as much drizzle as he could stomach.
No, I think the real reason for his alleged nervousness was fatboy's inability to make the correct call and communicate it properly.
Who'd, er, thunk?
He is not German and he is not from Iceland..(if you are from Iceland, your name will 99% of the time end with "son")
He is from the Netherlands / Holland / he is Dutch
I said this to several folks at the MC: I believe the ideal coaching choice for the US team would be Mark Wilson. He is an accomplished player, has played in two MC, is a renown instructor, is well respected in the industry, understands the psychological issues of team competition, and has the physical presence and gravitas to lead the team.
Lou Figueroa
Lou Figueroa
Seems we have found a lot of good choices for Captains. Now if we can just find some players! 
Seems we have found a lot of good choices for Captains. Now if we can just find some players!
Despite the management's opinion that young players like Landon Shuffett, wouldn't be able to handle the pressure of the Mosconi Cup, I respectfully have to disagree. For one piece of evidence, I refer to the way Landon manhandled Earl Strickland on a 5' x 10' Diamond table, the last time they played; which you can watch by clicking here.
The fact that "JUNIOR CHAMPION", Landon Shuffett also now REGULARLY trains in a team competition atmosphere and has a very knowledgeable coach and leader in the form of Mark Wilson bodes well for him being able to perform at a very high level even under the pressure of the Mosconi Cup.
Matchroom Sports will have to get the USA Mosconi Cup team's approval for a coach such as Mark Wilson, imo and the USA team will have to change their way of thinking, training and focusing to have improvements. Mark could help a lot in that area if the team were to realize that these are things that they need to improve on. But improvements won't happen with a grudging, reluctance on the team's part. They will have to go all in.
JoeyA
As far as a non-playing coach for Team USA, I think Allen Hopkins would be an excellent choice.
He's always been an proponent for professional pool for decades, and I think he would go out of his way to provide saged advice and counsel to the members of Team USA
Personally - I think the recycling of the older players has to stop. Mark Wilson is the obvious choice. He will not put up with any conduct that is not professional. I'd like to see an alternate at the Mosconi Cup so when Dennis or Rodney or whoever the next one is, acts out of turn, they can simply be sent home and be replaced.
Hell, wasn't Charlie Williams the captain one year and he doesn't even list himself as an American half the time. That being said, maybe reach out beyond the US to find someone to lead.
Efren for coach.
I did not realize that Allen Hopkins was older than Mark Wilson. Are not they from the same era?
Allen Hopkins is respected by many players of all caliber and all walks of life.
Mark Wilson is well known in some circles as well.
Maybe it's, once again, a regional choice. People seem to clamor towards people they know that live within their neck of the woods. I may be guilty of this myself.
I thought he was more of a hamburger eater than a drinker. :grin-square:
Worlds Apart
A personal instructor or coach is far from a team coach, it's not even close.
A team coach is exactly that, a team coach.
Dealing with personalities, having them gel and keeping them together as a team, knowing how to deal with individuals with high egos, communicating to a top player about a flaw, error, different approach.etc etc in a fashion so they do not become defensive is not easy, doing it with kids in little league is hard enough.
To select coaches by their rep as a great instructor, former champion, good guy and great for the game is not the way to go.
You need a Pat Riley, Joe Torre, Phil Jackson, Urban Meyer,etc ....respected in the highest regard as a coach.....not just a guy who is a good instructor,player,good for the game. My rectum may as well be the coach at that point, I can talk out of that as well as anyone.
If you want a coach, get a coach
I am stealing this
Watches is the Teacher.......That's hysterical
A personal instructor or coach is far from a team coach, it's not even close.
A team coach is exactly that, a team coach.
Dealing with personalities, having them gel and keeping them together as a team, knowing how to deal with individuals with high egos, communicating to a top player about a flaw, error, different approach.etc etc in a fashion so they do not become defensive is not easy, doing it with kids in little league is hard enough.
To select coaches by their rep as a great instructor, former champion, good guy and great for the game is not the way to go.
You need a Pat Riley, Joe Torre, Phil Jackson, Urban Meyer,etc ....respected in the highest regard as a coach.....not just a guy who is a good instructor,player,good for the game. My rectum may as well be the coach at that point, I can talk out of that as well as anyone.
If you want a coach, get a coach
I am stealing this
Watches is the Teacher.......That's hysterical
I did not realize that Allen Hopkins was older than Mark Wilson. Are not they from the same era?
Allen Hopkins is respected by many players of all caliber and all walks of life.
Mark Wilson is well known in some circles as well.
Maybe it's, once again, a regional choice. People seem to clamor towards people they know that live within their neck of the woods. I may be guilty of this myself.
Maybe I'm in the dark. Besides putting on a billards expo once a year that profits a million dollars and adding $15,000 to a pro tournament held at the same time and also being able to call most pool players on his cell phone, what exactly is Allen Hopkins current connection to pro pool and the pro pool player?
Desire to see professional pool flourish. If you ever get a chance to speak with Allen Hopkins in person, he actually does have passion and a strong desire to elevate professonal pool.
It is why he connected with Matt Braun for innovative pool exhibitions, such as Skins Billiards Championship, hoping it would catch on; thus, putting pool on the map for mainstream media.
His EXTENSIVE expertise behind the booth with ESPN has allowed him to observe the American pool industry from a different vantage point.
I've spoken with him many times about this topic, and he has strong feelings about it. Allen, unforunately, isn't as technologically advanced as those of us who post on pool forums, so getting to know him, aside from the Super Billiards Expo context, isn't going to happen, I guess.
I could go on with a few more accolades, but that's enough for now. Aside from being a champion, Player of the Year several times, a Mosconi Cup player, and a BCA Hall of Famer, Allen Hopkins has the credentials.
Oh, one more thing. :smile:
I've seen a lot of pool in person, up front and close, in my almost-60 years of life, and the best match I have ever witnessed was between Ginky and Allen at the Ocean State Championship at the old Snooker's in Providence, Rhode Island.
It was unbelievable. Allen had this little short one-punch stroke, and Ginky had the complete opposite style, long-stroking his shots. Neither player made a mistake in the finals match. It came down to the break. If the breaker didn't pocket a ball, it gave the opponent a chance to run out, which they did. I've never seen a match like this one. Ginky won it, but Allen's performance was pure perfection.
What I really enjoyed about this match was being there the entire weekend for this Joss tournament. The final day, Ginky came in early and got a table in the back and practiced by himself. He was quiet and didn't hang out with anybody. He was a man on a mission. Allen, on the other hand, was there to do what he loves to do best, and that was play pool. He was having a blast, pitching quarters with Keith on the pool table for funsies. He was in his element, playing pool, chatting with his pool budies, telling pool tales, and having fun doing it.
But when that finals match came, it was all business. Ginky and Allen went into combat. I wish somebody had videotaped that match. It was one I will always remember. :smile:
The point I am getting at with Allen Hopkins, Watchez is the Teacher, is that he has been on both sides of the fence and would be an excellent coach.
Attachments
That's my point JAM - that was almost a decade ago.
You mentioned a regional thing -- I love Buddy Hall and what he has meant to pool. Probably because I have been around pool in the Midwest. But like I said, it is time to move forward in pool - not backward. It was a nice gesture to have Buddy involved but beyond that......
If the USA is going to have any meaning in the pool world today - then it has to be from the players of today and the people of today that are involved in pool. Allen Hopkins is now an astute businessman that throws a bone (more like a chicken wing) to the pro players once a year. He has his resume but really nothing to do with pro pool today. I didn't have time to watch the Mosconi Cup but if the public opinion is that Earl, Rodney, Dennis didn't behave in what would be deemed professional - then let's get rid of them. The USA can lose with or without them, that is obvious. Short races, I'll take my chances of people that can play as a team and represent pool in a positive manner.
If after the first outburst, first act that was deemed offensive - captains Johnny and Buddy couldn't right the wrong, then let's get rid of them because they failed too. I won't even go into how disfunctional the ABP is to give even more weight to this.
The opportunities in this country for the pro pool player are getting smaller and smaller. And this is mainly because of the actions of the pro pool player. I know, I know - the BCA hasn't stood up for them. It's time they stand up for themself. Mark G has already said that if you aren't a person of character, aren't a person that he feels is respectful, you won't get an invitation to his events. The Mosconi Cup seems to be leaning that way as well with the rumors of fines. These are all good things - maybe the pro pool player will realize that it is time to start acting like a pro. Seems all that will be left for the pro player is the DCC and the US Open. I don't give out too much hope for the DCC as things like the Louie Roberts Award have been turned into a joke the past 5 years. It is a microcosm of what goes on through out the event and it is sad. Who knows what might change there as well. But the pro player better change first before it is too late.
Watchez is the teacher.
You mentioned a regional thing -- I love Buddy Hall and what he has meant to pool. Probably because I have been around pool in the Midwest. But like I said, it is time to move forward in pool - not backward. It was a nice gesture to have Buddy involved but beyond that......
If the USA is going to have any meaning in the pool world today - then it has to be from the players of today and the people of today that are involved in pool. Allen Hopkins is now an astute businessman that throws a bone (more like a chicken wing) to the pro players once a year. He has his resume but really nothing to do with pro pool today. I didn't have time to watch the Mosconi Cup but if the public opinion is that Earl, Rodney, Dennis didn't behave in what would be deemed professional - then let's get rid of them. The USA can lose with or without them, that is obvious. Short races, I'll take my chances of people that can play as a team and represent pool in a positive manner.
If after the first outburst, first act that was deemed offensive - captains Johnny and Buddy couldn't right the wrong, then let's get rid of them because they failed too. I won't even go into how disfunctional the ABP is to give even more weight to this.
The opportunities in this country for the pro pool player are getting smaller and smaller. And this is mainly because of the actions of the pro pool player. I know, I know - the BCA hasn't stood up for them. It's time they stand up for themself. Mark G has already said that if you aren't a person of character, aren't a person that he feels is respectful, you won't get an invitation to his events. The Mosconi Cup seems to be leaning that way as well with the rumors of fines. These are all good things - maybe the pro pool player will realize that it is time to start acting like a pro. Seems all that will be left for the pro player is the DCC and the US Open. I don't give out too much hope for the DCC as things like the Louie Roberts Award have been turned into a joke the past 5 years. It is a microcosm of what goes on through out the event and it is sad. Who knows what might change there as well. But the pro player better change first before it is too late.
Watchez is the teacher.
Personally, I think a coach needs to be somebody more seasoned, Watchez, not one of the younger players. Allen Hopkins has more expertise in pool than most, and because he is a seasoned veteran in all aspects of pool, he would indeed be a good coach. The players like him, and he knows what is needed to win.
It's also getting old to continue reading the bad press about the Americna pro player's behavior. Some American industry members don't have a clean slate either, and if their laundry was aired out on this forum, we'd have more fodder to write about, wouldn't we?
