Who is the best non "A-list" player?

nineballsafety8

nineballsafety8

6ft 5" 285, hits 'em hard
Silver Member
So it is pretty common knowledge how everyone ranks as far as who was best in what era and whatnot... but outside of the TOP pros...

Who are the "almost TOP pro's" that show the most potential for being the next big thing?

As an example... John Morra and Silver Ochoa just broke through into what I consider the "A-list", along with Compton, Justin Hall etc...
But what about the people that you don't EXPECT to see at ever major tournament, but if they did show up, that stand a pretty good chance of getting in the money.

Such as:
(I just moved from MD, so they are all regional players there)
Mike Davis (although he is pretty much A-list know due to his straight pool)
Brandon Shuff
Shawn Wilkie
Brett Stottlemeyer (sp?)

who else is out there making the bread winning, but stayin out of the headlines while doing it?
 
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Seems like we have more guys falling out of the A list than we do have up and coming players moving into it.

The only really young player that I have been hearing anything about is Sklyar Woodward. The rest of the guys that are included in the young guns list, most often aren't really that young.

So, to answer your question -- I have no idea.
 
Define "A-list" there are plenty guys out there, most people have never heard of that play like MONSTERS. There's one or two that will end up on the Mosconi Cup team this year... :eek:
 
Tom D'Alfonso "shorty" is a great player that not too many people know about. If pool was in a better state and he put a little more time in he could beat any US player except maybe SVB consistently. Plus he is a great role model for pool; humble, great sport who never sharks, and win or lose his demeanor never changes. If you were to look at him during a match and you just walked in you wouldn't be able to tell if he was winning or losing.
 
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Id agree Tom plays awesome , I admire his game especially his mental game .Oppurtunity has alot to do with how great someone can be .
 
I'd have to agree with you. Tom has had a bit of a breakthrough recently showing some impressive finishes against top players. Seems like a nice guy too. I've seen him play before and thought he was due a break through and looks like he's right in the midst of it. Lefty got game! :)
 
BasementDweller said:
Seems like we have more guys falling out of the A list than we do have up and coming players moving into it.

The rest of the guys that are included in the young guns list, most often aren't really that young.
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and therein lies a significant problem for pool imo. The average player and fan are way up there. The average fan around the DCC table was 60 minimum and that is in no way unusual. In 20 years me and them will be gone. Is anyone going to replace them?
 
Qaddiction said:
How about Shannon Murphy or Jason Klatt?
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I admire Klatt's game. He maintains a high level of focus, plays hard, and is a tough matchup for anyone. I like the effort he puts forth and wish him nothing but the best as a reward.
 
I can't believe no one has mentioned Shave Van Boeng. Surely he is a contender?

Does well in his comfort zone but not very well on travels and particularly the world stage - could be a great player if he put the work in on that. Without too much effort he could become as good as the rest of the world, surely?
 
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Voiceofreason, I think you misread the original post "outside the top pros". Shane falls in to the category of top pro.
 
nineballsafety8 said:
So it is pretty common knowledge how everyone ranks as far as who was best in what era and whatnot... but outside of the TOP pros...

Who are the "almost TOP pro's" that show the most potential for being the next big thing?

As an example... John Morra and Silver Ochoa just broke through into what I consider the "A-list", along with Compton, Justin Hall etc...
But what about the people that you don't EXPECT to see at ever major tournament, but if they did show up, that stand a pretty good chance of getting in the money.
Click to expand...

Once again, what are you using as a criteria for judging one's ability? Where do you draw the line between an "A-list" player and a non "A-list" player? By the way they place in tournaments? By the amount of money they win? By the players that they defeat?

There are no standards set in concrete to define the difference...so the lines remained blurred.

There are however...a LOT of good, young, up-and-coming players making their way towards the top...many that have already been mentioned here.

Maniac
 
voiceofreason said:
I can't believe no one has mentioned Shave Van Boeng. Surely he is a contender?

Does well in his comfort zone but not very well on travels and particularly the world stage - could be a great player if he put the work in on that. Without too much effort he could become as good as the rest of the world, surely?
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#Cruncher said:
Voiceofreason, I think you misread the original post "outside the top pros". Shane falls in to the category of top pro.
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Different SVB. He's talking about Shave Van Boeng.
 
Nostroke said:
and therein lies a significant problem for pool imo. The average player and fan are way up there. The average fan around the DCC table was 60 minimum and that is in no way unusual. In 20 years me and them will be gone. Is anyone going to replace them?
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Derby is expensive for spectators! Young guys just don't have the resources and choose Miami Beach over derby in the dead of winter in southern Indiana.

No offense but bikini wearing women win those dollars every time!

Kd

Sent from my XT907 using Tapatalk
 
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nicksaint26 said:
tom d'alfonso "shorty" is a great player that not too many people know about. If pool was in a better state and he put a little more time in he could beat any us player except maybe svb consistently. Plus he is a great role model for pool; humble, great sport who never sharks, and win or lose his demeanor never changes. If you were to look at him during a match and you just walked in you wouldn't be able to tell if he was winning or losing.
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exactly!!!
 
The best 3 young players has to be:
Landon Shuffet
Billy Thorpe
Skylar Woodward

I don't consider the young ones 30 to 35 in age.
 
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