landon shuffet vs earl strickland ...unwatchable

Oh boy, this discussion again. I remember asking around about Jeanette Lee, since she's pretty much the only pool player most people (non-players) know. What I learned is that she took a bunch of marketing and promotion classes, and figured out how to promote herself. If someone were to do that for, oh I don't know, ALL of the pros, and put forth some kind of organized product, that could work. I'm not too thrilled about Bonus Ball, but it is ripe with opportunity. I happened to be watching their "10 best moments from season 1" video on Youtube, and it did incur the curiosity of a few people nearby. TAR is another one that could conceivably do well, if more than just pool players were interested. One idea that just popped into my head is something like player interviews with highlights of them playing as they're talking. What about NFL, and how they hype weekly matches? Either way, a pool player isn't going to get this outside the realm of just players, a smart businessman with vision will, coupled with very good marketing and promotion.
 
Pool needs more guys like Alex P. he's very entertaining to watch.
Landon & Earl are at opposite ends of the spectrum, pool players need to find some middle ground to showcase great pool with an entertaining personality. :thumbup:

YES!!! Great to watch... interacts with the crowd but is never disrespectful to the game or his opponent!
 
My problem with bonus ball was the game. I love the idea of pro pool league but it isn't a game any knew or anyone can play without a special set of balls I guess. I just didn't feel pool was in a position to take a risk like that. but that's another discussion thats been gone over to death


Oh boy, this discussion again. I remember asking around about Jeanette Lee, since she's pretty much the only pool player most people (non-players) know. What I learned is that she took a bunch of marketing and promotion classes, and figured out how to promote herself. If someone were to do that for, oh I don't know, ALL of the pros, and put forth some kind of organized product, that could work. I'm not too thrilled about Bonus Ball, but it is ripe with opportunity. I happened to be watching their "10 best moments from season 1" video on Youtube, and it did incur the curiosity of a few people nearby. TAR is another one that could conceivably do well, if more than just pool players were interested. One idea that just popped into my head is something like player interviews with highlights of them playing as they're talking. What about NFL, and how they hype weekly matches? Either way, a pool player isn't going to get this outside the realm of just players, a smart businessman with vision will, coupled with very good marketing and promotion.
 
Edit to add. I misspoke .. It wasn't unwatchable for me as I love pool. My comments are more based for the average person who likes pool but needs more then watching two people roll balls in pockets to keep them interested.

WHAT KEN SAID!!!!!

I respect your opinion...but its totally wrong.

You do NOT have a sport if everyone behaves like Earl...you have a sideshow.

You do NOT have a sport if it is mostly scoundrels.

You DO have a sport if most everyone is like LANDON (then mix in a scoundrel or clown or two...probably not too many more).

It will only be a spectacle that garners no respect or credibility (see Mosconi Cup this year) if it isn't mostly professional behavior.
 
What Ken said x 2!!! Perhaps the initial poster is more interested in antics and sensationalism. Who knows? But if someone wants to sell sponsers on why they should invest their promotional dollars in pool lets hope Landon is the salesperson and not Earl. Earl has been, without question, one of the greatest cueist this country has produced. Argueably the greatest. That does not entitle him exhibit reprehensible conduct that distracts his opponent and is an embarrassment to those who enjoy watching a magnificent game being played by people with incredible talent.
 
I said I don't want everyone to be like earl Alex p. is a perfect example of the type of players we need. Keep your head hurried in the sand and pool will continue to struggle.

WHAT KEN SAID!!!!!

I respect your opinion...but its totally wrong.

You do NOT have a sport if everyone behaves like Earl...you have a sideshow.

You do NOT have a sport if it is mostly scoundrels.

You DO have a sport if most everyone is like LANDON (then mix in a scoundrel or clown or two...probably not too many more).

It will only be a spectacle that garners no respect or credibility (see Mosconi Cup this year) if it isn't mostly professional behavior.
 
What Ken said x 2!!! Perhaps the initial poster is more interested in antics and sensationalism. Who knows? But if someone wants to sell sponsers on why they should invest their promotional dollars in pool lets hope Landon is the salesperson and not Earl. Earl has been, without question, one of the greatest cueist this country has produced. Argueably the greatest. That does not entitle him exhibit reprehensible conduct that distracts his opponent and is an embarrassment to those who enjoy watching a magnificent game being played by people with incredible talent.

I'm not ... The average viewer is. I'll repeat I dont think they should act out of control like earl but the general public is not going to watch this game of just balls rolling around a table. This ismt 1940 where entertainment choices are limited.. There is a lot to choose from and you need to stand out and grab there attention. There has to be some emotion. There has to be a reason to root for or against someone. That's how you'll get tv. We all want our pros to make a living right? Tell me a sport where the pros make top dollar without television money?
 
Landon Shuffett and the other young players in America are far more important to the future of American pool than the likes of Earl Strickland, who is the poster boy for unwatchable.

Thankfully, most of America's young players have better role models than Earl Strickland in their lives. JAM's recent, and truly exceptional, thread about what Mark Wilson is doing at a college in Missouri gives us all hope.

Landon Shuffett, who counts both his dad Stan Shuffett and Mark Wilson as two of his main influences is one of our greatest hopes for the next generation of American pool players. Landon will be a role model for all young American pros.

Let us hope that producers/promoters of events in America are wise enough to hitch their wagons to the next generation of American players.
 
Nice post !

I, (like you) enjoy Earl's skill as a player. There are few that can rival his prowess at rotation pool, (IMO). I DON'T appreciate his antics at all ! His match you are talking about with Landon was admittedly fun to watch. I actually enjoyed watching Earl lose.
Landon, on the other hand was quite methodical. Would be nice to see something to bring "the average person" into the pool world that us enthusiasts enjoy.
My personal opinion is that match-play is not something to make the "average person" interested in pool.That will probably come some other way, like through a league experience with friends. Perhaps they get that one-shot that makes them wonder why it did what it did. Curiosity being the draw for more interest in the game ,rather than watching someone look like a "robot." Get college kids interested in playing instead of a movie or video games some weekend. :)
 
I'm not ... The average viewer is. I'll repeat I dont think they should act out of control like earl but the general public is not going to watch this game of just balls rolling around a table. This ismt 1940 where entertainment choices are limited.. There is a lot to choose from and you need to stand out and grab there attention. There has to be some emotion. There has to be a reason to root for or against someone. That's how you'll get tv. We all want our pros to make a living right? Tell me a sport where the pros make top dollar without television money?


We need the "fat man" :)
 
I convinced a couple of the guys I play with to watch some of the cup, these are people who really don't go out of their way to watch pool. Their reaction was they would never want to see Earl again, really described him I a manner I can't repeat here. The bottom line, players not casual viewers and they didn't like how he handled himself at all.
 
Pool Etiquette

Until there is a unified structure of guidelines governing pool which already exists in all other successful competitions, this behavorial discussion will be forever debated with no progress being made in either direction. Pool must become organized with rules and protocols in place with a board of directors to see said rules are followed and penalties assessed where needed. Such examples already exist in NASCAR, Golf, etc., so very little new ground will need to be broken for purposes of organizing. Pool is a competition where rules are tweaked at each venue according to promoter, players, or fans individual discretion. Just ain't no way to run a railroad!
 
I do not watch tennis. It's not that I don't like the sport, or that I don't appreciate the skill involved - it's just that I'm not interested. If they bring McEnroe back, I still will not watch tennis. If Earl becomes a pro tennis player, I still will not watch tennis. If they pay some WCW goon to run across the court and clothesline players each time they hit a ball into the net, I still will not watch tennis.

Show me someone who doesn't watch pool currently, and I'll show you someone who will continue to not watch pool no matter how many of our players act unprofessional and juvenile at the table.

Oh, and what Doug said.

Aaron
 
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I do not watch tennis. It's not that I don't like the sport, or that I don't appreciate the skill involved - it's just that I'm not interested. If they bring McEnroe back, I still will not watch tennis. If Earl becomes a pro tennis player, I still will not watch tennis. If they pay some WCW goon to run across the court and clothesline players each time they hit a ball into the net, I still will not watch tennis.

Show me someone who doesn't watch pool currently, and I'll show you someone who will continue to not watch pool no matter how many of our players act unprofessional and juvenile at the table.

Oh, and what Doug said.

Aaron
Well, I woulda used ice skating as the metaphor...other than that;
:withstupid:
 
Just wondering if they were playing fouls on all balls? Landon moves a ball about an inch with this arm and doesn't even mention it, which is pretty unforgivable if it was a foul:

http://youtu.be/1HYQjoHjwL4?t=1h55m51s

For me Landon wasn't all that fun to watch mostly because his cue ball control was pretty sloppy to be playing a match at this standard. He crashed into balls more times than I can remember and got some very lucky rolls. He also happened to be playing a guy who is unrivalled when it comes to self-sabotage, which really devalues the whole contest...
 
I disagree. That kid is a hell of a player. Don't mistake a man's personality disorder being virtuous or "good for pool". The "unwatchability" of pool is inherent in it's nature and I think it's absurd to take someone down a peg for playing it correctly and behaving like a true sportsman. Threads like this make me want to not visit the site anymore.
 
I disagree. That kid is a hell of a player. Don't mistake a man's personality disorder being virtuous or "good for pool". The "unwatchability" of pool is inherent in it's nature and I think it's absurd to take someone down a peg for playing it correctly and behaving like a true sportsman. Threads like this make me want to not visit the site anymore.

Did you happen to read where I said he was a hell of a player. I'm looking at it from the eyes of a casual player. Not a pool nut like the people that frequent this site. I think that seems to be lost in translation in this thread lol thanks for stopping by
 
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