Mark Wilson says Mike Dechaine is "perhaps the finest player in the US"

sjm said:
Mike is not America's best, but instead second to Shane. It's really not that close, either.

Along with SVB, Mike is the only American that frequently takes down the giants of European pool, which is, of course, the most important qualification for a member of Team USA. In the US Open, Dechaine beat Hohmann Drago, and World 9-ball runner-up Albin Ouschan. In the just completed SBE 10-ball, he beat Immonen and Hohmann and eliminated both. Against the top Americans, he has won his last three matches with SVB (2013 DCC 9-ball, 2014 DCC 9-ball, 2014 Turning Stone), he beat Bergman at both the US Open and the Steinway Classic 10-ball. Finally, he beat Justin Hall at the US Open.

His progress and pedigree as an all-around player is obvious to anyone who pays attention to the major events of American pool.

1st in the 2014 Ginky Memorial, beating Immonen in the final
5th in the 2014 Dragon Straight Pool event, narrowly losing to eventual champion Appleton
1st in the 2014 Ocean States, over a field that included Shaw, Strickland, and Sossei.
Top 10 in the last three US Open 9-ball events, 4th place in 2014
Top 10 in three of the last four Derby City 9-ball events, including two 3rd place finishes
1st in the Derby City American Rotation event
2nd in the 2015 Derby City 1-pocket event
4th at 2015 Super Billiards Expo 10-ball event

A comparison of any American player not named Shane on a 9-footer is silly, although Justin Hall is certainly in the conversation.

The countless Dechaine haters, so many of whom reside right here on AZB, will surely not concur, but if we don't send Mike to the Mosconi, we're not sending our best.
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I agree word for word. Mike is the second best American by leaps and bounds....besides Shane who on that list wants to play Mike for the cash in 10 ball?
 
krelldog said:
I agree word for word. Mike is the second best American by leaps and bounds....besides Shane who on that list wants to play Mike for the cash in 10 ball?
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Didn't Shaw take that offer and the cheese when he was on one last year? Dechaine has an undeniable record in tournament play, but what little i (mis?)remember, he struggles in an action match. Unfortunately, the MC plays more like a league or action match than it does a tournament, imo. Still, to skip him again, after what appears to be more work on his personal attitude, would probably be a mistake.
 
Banks said:
Didn't Shaw take that offer and the cheese when he was on one last year? Dechaine has an undeniable record in tournament play, but what little i (mis?)remember, he struggles in an action match. Unfortunately, the MC plays more like a league or action match than it does a tournament, imo. Still, to skip him again, after what appears to be more work on his personal attitude, would probably be a mistake.
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Uhhh, the question was who on that list. Shaw plays for the other team :p (and will make them an even tougher opponent if he makes their team this year)

Rooting for Mike!
(Yes, I'm a homer)
 
I hope Mike keeps up his good vibrations. I'd love to see him win one of the big cups. He is super entertaining to watch also.
 
Banks said:
Didn't Shaw take that offer and the cheese when he was on one last year? Dechaine has an undeniable record in tournament play, but what little i (mis?)remember, he struggles in an action match. Unfortunately, the MC plays more like a league or action match than it does a tournament, imo. Still, to skip him again, after what appears to be more work on his personal attitude, would probably be a mistake.
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Actually, the Shaw vs Dechaine head to head record is about even over the past few years, but Dechaine probably has beaten Jayson just a little more than Jayson has beaten Mike. Great rivalry.

Of course, Shaw is Scottish and is not a contender for a Team USA spot.
 
sjm said:
Actually, the Shaw vs Dechaine head to head record is about even over the past few years, but Dechaine probably has beaten Jayson just a little more than Jayson has beaten Mike. Great rivalry.

Of course, Shaw is Scottish and is not a contender for a Team USA spot.
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Yeah, i kind of missed that last part. It's been a long couple of weeks. :o

Would like to hear more of their matchups some time.
 
"perhaps" is the key word in the sentence......

Cornerman said:
Well... grammatically speaking...

1. Tonight in the Lindenwood Billiards Arena we have perhaps the finest player in the U.S. training and playing with the Lions, Mike DeChaine.

2. Tonight in the Lindenwood Billiards Arena we have perhaps the finest player in the U.S., training and playing with the Lions, Mike DeChaine.



These two sentences mean two different things. Not that I have a clue what Mark Wilson meant to say.
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"perhaps" is the key word in the sentence......perhaps he isn't the finest player in the country?.....I'd vote the latter as long as Rodney Morris, Johnny Archer and Dennis Hatch are still playing consistently.

Perhaps, if my aunt had balls she'd:groucho: be my uncle?
 
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I sure wish Mike would come down to New Orleans May 21-24 and play in Buffalos Billiards one pocket event. I know he would rather play rotation but when you can win $16,000.00 just for first place only, well it's nothing to discount.

and that's without any Calcutta.

JoeyA
 
2strong4u said:
9 of those guys have no business being in front of Dechaine. There's not enough money in pool for Mike to travel much out of the Northeast.

You'd pick just as good a team by putting 20 names in a hat and having a monkey pick 5 names. The next Mosconi will make the last team look like allstars.
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Really and what 9 are those


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CJ Wiley said:
"perhaps" is the key word in the sentence......perhaps he isn't the finest player in the country?.....I'd vote the latter as long as Rodney Morris, Johnny Archer and Dennis Hatch are still playing consistently.

Perhaps, if my aunt had balls she'd:groucho: be my uncle?
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I love all 3 players you listed! My #3 is JA, because,,,,, he's JA;)! #2, Rodney, the guy really has an awesome attitude during play! And of course, #1, "the HATCHET"!!! I have never seen anyone play a match race to 15 and the player miss 1ball( which was easy,(loss of concentration?)) And miscued on jacked up shot in the middle of the table( I would of needed a step ladder)! I'm sure all the greats have had that 1 match( like JA against jango) but as far as stone cold killer,,,, "The Hatchet"
 
CJ Wiley said:
"perhaps" is the key word in the sentence......perhaps he isn't the finest player in the country?.....I'd vote the latter as long as Rodney Morris, Johnny Archer and Dennis Hatch are still playing consistently.

Perhaps, if my aunt had balls she'd:groucho: be my uncle?
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Those are three guys who haven't seen the winner's circle in quite some time.

Archer, to his credit, was smart enough to back out of his challenge match with Dechaine at Derby City. Johnny saved some money with that decision.
 
sjm said:
Those are three guys who haven't seen the winner's circle in quite some time.

Archer, to his credit, was smart enough to back out of his challenge match with Dechaine at Derby City. Johnny saved some money with that decision.
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I'm more than sure MD can travel down to GA and play Johnny anytime he feels froggy


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sjm said:
Those are three guys who haven't seen the winner's circle in quite some time.

Archer, to his credit, was smart enough to back out of his challenge match with Dechaine at Derby City. Johnny saved some money with that decision.
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Depending on how much Mike himself puts up, I wouldnt bet against JA!

Mike is an awesosme player!! He IS #2 in the country. But I wouldn't bet on him against JA in a serious money match! JA got way more experience in that circle than Mike does!

And this my friend has been the problem with Mike! He decided a long time ago to stay on the tournament road! If he traveled and gambled, maybe, MAYBE, he would be at the level of Shane, or even better;) but work ethic has a lot to do with it I'm sure you will agree.

Mike and I have our differences, and people can and will call me a "Mike hater"! That's all fine and dandy, but never, not once have I ever doubted his game! He truly is a great talent! If he was to combine that great talent with a good work ethic and maybe a tad of good social skills,,,,,, you would have the premier American player HANDS DOWN!
 
one stroke said:
Really and what 9 are those


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After 5 of the 9 points events, here are the top 16 players:


T2. Justin Bergman -- 30
T2. Scott Frost -- 30
4. Jeremy Sossei -- 29
5. Sky Woodward -- 25
6. Corey Deuel -- 24
7. Oscar Dominguez -- 19
8. Brian Deska -- 15
T9. Steve Knoll -- 14
T9. Danny Olson -- 14
T11. Mike Dechaine -- 13
T11. Joshua Roberts -- 13
T11 Alex Olinger -- 13

So there's 9 guys he is significantly better than. ...and 2 more he's tied with...so 11.

Alex Olinger is tied with him. On what planet are they equals? You are the biggest Dechaine hater out there. Not sure what you're butt hurt about but get over it lady.

**
 
2strong4u said:
Archer has no chance. He doesn't make bad games and that's the only reason they will never play.
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Since when has Mike been considerd a big Money player , I highly doubt he can beat Archer Morris or Hatch for big cash ,, Frost is climbing up that list and I expect Skylar to blow right by Mike in a couple of yrs , he's already better on a Bar Box

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liakos said:
Actually, I agree with you 100%! If they play for big cash, Mike needs some weight and JA ain't gonna give him much!

Excellent call sir;)
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Archer needs weight and that's why he ran from Mike at Derby City rather than playing him even. The bet was large, $10,000 I think, but Mike was ready to play and it was Archer who ran from a chance to play Mike even and yes, I was there when it happened.

With breaking form the box, a big bet, and a long race, I think Mike would win very easily in ten ball. Archer showed no form at all at either Derby City or Super Billiards Expo.
 
Mike is young and wants to prove himself - it's too bad there's no pro tour

sjm said:
Those are three guys who haven't seen the winner's circle in quite some time.

Archer, to his credit, was smart enough to back out of his challenge match with Dechaine at Derby City. Johnny saved some money with that decision.
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Johnny wouldn't be smart to play Mike on Diamond tables, I agree.

However, as far as the best player is concerned Mike wouldn't want to match resume's. Johnny isn't playing as much these days (who is?), especially against stiff competition.

Mike is young and wants to prove himself - it's too bad there's no pro tour these days. He is certainly very talented, although I'm not sure he could have stood up to the Sigels, Halls, Varners, Reyes', and Bustemamte's in their prime like Johnny Archer did.

Only time will tell.......
 
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