Mark Wilson's Two MC Picks

justadub said:
Now one of them is on Facebook lamenting that he isn't on the Cup team this year, promoting the idea that a team of himself, JA, Hatch, Oscar....and Earl would be a better team than the one we are sending.

Claims there is a good old boy network. Bwahahaha

Amazing...
Click to expand...

My first thoughts went to Rodney Morris, but I didn't find anything on his page. Who you're referring to?
 
lfigueroa said:
Well first off, I know that a few years back, when Earl was being Earl, several MC players said they would not play on the team again if he were selected to play. That alone tells you that one player can have a corrosive effect on a team. I don't believe it's unreasonable to say that there is a flip side to that and that how a player behaves can have a positive effect on team members.
Click to expand...

That's sort of the point. Earl was so corrosive that guys no longer wanted to play with him, yet he somehow managed to go 24-12 in doubles.

Take a look at the Ryder Cup, probably the closest event we can compare the MC to. Dave Stockton, a former RC captain said, "“If it’s between talent and chemistry, I’ll take chemistry. You can have the best players in the world, but if the captain pairs them wrong, you don’t win.”

Jim Furyk, who played on numerous RC said, "“I think chemistry is extremely important. I think not only how the players mix together as 12 but how we play together as a team, how the pairings are put together, how those personalities and those styles match up with each other and probably for different formats as well. I think that provides the players the best opportunity to compete and do well. I think it’s wise not only to pair guys not only by how their games are physically together but also by their temperament.”

Tom Watson, another former RC captain said, "When I made the captain’s picks that was about chemistry. Obviously Webb Simpson and Bubba Watson have a very good chemistry, and Keegan Bradley and Phil Mickelson have great chemistry. It’s shown in the past. You have to kind of bank on past experiences. That’s part of it. Also the way they are playing is a factor. But there’s no one factor. There’s a combination.”
Click to expand...

This is the common theme you hear from most winning coaches. They will say something like, "Boy, we just have such great chemistry." It's really putting the cart before the horse. If you take a group of guys (or gals) that have the same goal in mind and they all give it their all in pursuit of this goal -- what you end up with is a team that HAD good chemistry. It's not the other way around. So in other words, chemistry isn't something that a coach should ever really concern themselves with, especially when it comes to the Mosconi Cup. It's more of a byproduct of having 5 guys that are willing to give it their best shot.

Here's the even better part....even if the teammates don't get along on a personal level, or worse -- they hate each other's guts (think Shaq and Kobe) the commentary will just focus on their "fire and ice" type relationship and how the conflict really worked for the team.

My own experience, having spent four years of my life playing nothing but five-man team pool, doubles and scotch doubles, is that chemistry on a team makes a huge difference. YMMV.

Lou Figueroa
Click to expand...

I've been on teams too. I actually won a couple of State Championships here recently and I really love being a part of a team. My own anecdotal evidence leads me to believe that "chemistry" is important when it comes to having a good time or simply enjoying the ride but it doesn't win the racks.
 
BasementDweller said:
That's sort of the point. Earl was so corrosive that guys no longer wanted to play with him, yet he somehow managed to go 24-12 in doubles.

By and large the USA was beating the Euros pretty handily through the late 90’s and early aughts. It was not tough times and we collectively beat them like a drum. Later on, when the teams reached parity, like in ’07 and ’08. Strickland was 8-11 in doubles. When things are lopsided, who needs chemistry?

This is the common theme you hear from most winning coaches. They will say something like, "Boy, we just have such great chemistry." It's really putting the cart before the horse. If you take a group of guys (or gals) that have the same goal in mind and they all give it their all in pursuit of this goal -- what you end up with is a team that HAD good chemistry. It's not the other way around. So in other words, chemistry isn't something that a coach should ever really concern themselves with, especially when it comes to the Mosconi Cup. It's more of a byproduct of having 5 guys that are willing to give it their best shot.

While these guys were serving as coaches they're also professional players and speak from both perspectives.

Here's the even better part....even if the teammates don't get along on a personal level, or worse -- they hate each other's guts (think Shaq and Kobe) the commentary will just focus on their "fire and ice" type relationship and how the conflict really worked for the team.

That would be the exception, and I suppose the media might feed off of that, their teammates, not so much.

I've been on teams too. I actually won a couple of State Championships here recently and I really love being a part of a team. My own anecdotal evidence leads me to believe that "chemistry" is important when it comes to having a good time or simply enjoying the ride but it doesn't win the racks.
Click to expand...

I suppose if it’s about having a good time you would see it that way. We will have to differ on that one.

Lou Figueroa
 
lfigueroa said:
I suppose if it’s about having a good time you would see it that way. We will have to differ on that one.

Lou Figueroa
Click to expand...

I didn't say - for me it's about having a good time. I have a good time by winning.

Shaq and Kobe are not the exception. When it comes to the highest levels of competition teammates often don't care for each other. Being fiercely competitive and sitting around the camp fire singing kumbaya doesn't really go hand in hand. Michael Jordan was pretty much a complete jerk to most of his teammates. Several of whom were lucky enough to be on the receiving end of his fists in practice, but they won so they must of had great "chemistry".
 
BasementDweller said:
I didn't say - for me it's about having a good time. I have a good time by winning.

Shaq and Kobe are not the exception. When it comes to the highest levels of competition teammates often don't care for each other. Being fiercely competitive and sitting around the camp fire singing kumbaya doesn't really go hand in hand. Michael Jordan was pretty much a complete jerk to most of his teammates. Several of whom were lucky enough to be on the receiving end of his fists in practice, but they won so they must of had great "chemistry".
Click to expand...


I don't think basketball and pool are good comparisons -- neither would tag-team wrestling -- totally different kind of sports, skills and people. That's why I went with golf.

Lou Figueroa
 
Chemistry is not a guarantee nor a magic bullet, however, the right chemistry has the potential to create what is known as the " synergistic effect" , which is basically "the final product being greater than the sum of its parts alone"

Collective consciousness - herd mentality - group hallucinations - whatever you want to call it, team spirit works.
 
Mr. Bond said:
Chemistry is not a guarantee nor a magic bullet, however, the right chemistry has the potential to create what is known as the " synergistic effect" , which is basically "the final product being greater than the sum of its parts alone"

Collective consciousness - herd mentality - group hallucinations - whatever you want to call it, team spirit works.
Click to expand...

Good preparation works even better. Our guys better focus on polishing their games and not on chemistry. Confidence in each other will be the best possible source of chemistry, and such confidence will have everything to do with the extent to which they prepare.

Nineteen of the first twenty Team USAs at the Mosconi had good team spirit. The only team that lacked it was a Team USA chosen entirely by Matchroom in 2013. Team spirit is a given, but it won't deliver the day in December.

Wanna beat Europe? Work as hard as they do to get ready. Preparation is where it's at.
 
sjm said:
Good preparation works even better. Our guys better focus on polishing their games and not on chemistry. Confidence in each other will be the best possible source of chemistry, and such confidence will have everything to do with the extent to which they prepare.

Nineteen of the first twenty Team USAs at the Mosconi had good team spirit. The only team that lacked it was a Team USA chosen entirely by Matchroom in 2013. Team spirit is a given, but it won't deliver the day in December.

Wanna beat Europe? Work as hard as they do to get ready. Preparation is where it's at.
Click to expand...


oh good grief. Of course you prepare. You also foster, encourage, and utilize chemistry.

Lou Figueroa
 
sjm said:
Good preparation works even better. Our guys better focus on polishing their games and not on chemistry. Confidence in each other will be the best possible source of chemistry, and such confidence will have everything to do with the extent to which they prepare.

Nineteen of the first twenty Team USAs at the Mosconi had good team spirit. The only team that lacked it was a Team USA chosen entirely by Matchroom in 2013. Team spirit is a given, but it won't deliver the day in December.

Wanna beat Europe? Work as hard as they do to get ready. Preparation is where it's at.
Click to expand...

I think you underestimate the level of personal issues the players have between them. They have some very real issues. Your perspective is grounded in generality. This team has a very high level of dysfunction.
 
sjm said:
Time to put this debate to bed. We'll agree to disagree. You're a good friend, Lou, and I look forward to greeting you as such next month.
Click to expand...


Ahhhh, the high road. Like a breath of fresh air. Kudos Stu
 
mikeyfrost said:
I think you underestimate the level of personal issues the players have between them. They have some very real issues. Your perspective is grounded in generality. This team has a very high level of dysfunction.
Click to expand...

Well.
They are all white guys.
So at least you won't have the big douche ripping on his teammates for not being white.
One less problem to deal with.
 
SUPERSTAR said:
Well.
They are all white guys.
So at least you won't have the big douche ripping on his teammates for not being white.
One less problem to deal with.
Click to expand...

LMAO you heard about that I see...one day I can't wait to find out who you are. You have to be way in the know to know that one or that problem is worst than I thought.
 
mikeyfrost said:
LMAO you heard about that I see...one day I can't wait to find out who you are. You have to be way in the know to know that one or that problem is worst than I thought.
Click to expand...

LOL.
I don't think you have to be way in the know to know that tidbit.
People talk.

Trust me, I ain't anybody special.
But I'll introduce myself next time were in the same spot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top