Joshua Filler withdrawn from the Mosconi Cup!
- Thread starter vjmehra
- Start date
The last time the USA won, Josh Filler was playing for the Euros and his loss to Skyler was the nail in the coffin... his tears were beautiful.
Albin seems to be fifth in line for the last Mosconi Cup spot going by rankings, so I guess we'll see if he starts skipping ranking events like Morocco and The Netherlands in early November and the various International Open events right before the MC.
Albin is currently entered in the 9-ball and the 14.1 of the International Open.
To keep things interesting, the WPA calendar lists both the International Open and the Mosconi Cup.
To quote a noted scholar, I'm so confused.
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This is great news.
I can't stand him. Not because of how he plays, but because of his shitass attitude. Homeboy thought he was "king" and untouchable for years and his now learning where that lack of humility can get you.
Such an incredible player ruined by a terrible personality.
I can't stand him. Not because of how he plays, but because of his shitass attitude. Homeboy thought he was "king" and untouchable for years and his now learning where that lack of humility can get you.
Such an incredible player ruined by a terrible personality.
Good post.
The difference, for now, is that the 245 were banned from all WPA sanctioned play. Filler, to this point, has not been banned from all Matchroom play, just from two of its non-majors, the Reyes Cup and the Mosconi Cup.
This story is still being written and it is far too early to determine whether Matchroom is resorting to the kind of warfare we generally associate with WPA.
Stay tuned.
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Here’s my take. I’m okay if nobody reads it.
First Matchroom could have just sanctioned while building the WNT and there’d be no conflicts. If they think they can make millionaires of these players, why not wait until that value proposition is realized before creating the circumstances that forces the WPA to put a stake in the sand. Because the structure of the WPA is designed for being “in or out”. I don’t mind the cards MR are playing but they played that card too early.
Second I can’t stand that the WPA kicked out the APBU who I know was an accountability thorn in their side but then brought in ACBS who have little to do with pool and are clearly power mad and the driving force on WPA bans for non-sanctioned Asian events (Hanoi Open). And I don’t like that the ACBS tried to get the event shut down.
Third I’m sure all the “We Stand Together” was Matchroom getting the players in the room and pressuring them to post the statements. But these players are adults. They didn’t need to say anything without knowing their capacity to honor it. And certainly they didn’t need to say anything.
Fourth, Josh certainly stuck his foot in his mouth with his statements. He needs an agent or someone to review his public statements on important matters. He lost a lot of respect from fans.
Fifth, I can see taking him out of the Reyes Cup. The protests were about Asian bans. And it is a Matchroom invitational. It’s not like they are taking away his WNT tour card or banning him from open events. This is the “free money” stuff. He earned it through qualification but lost it through mishandling situations. I’ve heard he was ghosting them too which wouldn’t help.
Sixth, I’m kinda okay with taking him out of the Mosconi Cup. I hope he’s not still ghosting them. But the fans in the room were about to light him up. Enough that it could easily distract from the event in a negative way. And that’s on him.
Seventh, maybe there were terms he wouldn’t agree with. But I don’t like the idea he needed to get himself banned to be in good standing. That’s dirty politics. Players should have the choice to play both sides as long as they can. Same with Albin. And this is where Matchroom starts to look manipulative.
Eight, I wouldn’t have assumed Albin would have any long lasting consequences for missing Hanoi since he wasn’t in contention for Reyes or Mosconi Cup. But he didn’t just call Matchroom a dictatorship. And he might proved them right if he’s out burning bridges. I assumed they’d still have a shot at other invitationals down the road, keep their tour cards, and be able to play in open events. But maybe not with how that’s playing out. I’ll assume they’re fine long term. Again, hopefully they don’t need to get banned to be in good graces.
Nineth, I’m okay with a Matchroom dictatorship if they make millionaires of the players. But if their money is only “equal to WPA” then they don’t get a free pass for times they’re heavy handed. Which goes back to wondering why they wouldn’t just sanction up until they’re profitable enough to be independent. Because they made the first move in cutting off player options by leaving the fold prematurely.
First Matchroom could have just sanctioned while building the WNT and there’d be no conflicts. If they think they can make millionaires of these players, why not wait until that value proposition is realized before creating the circumstances that forces the WPA to put a stake in the sand. Because the structure of the WPA is designed for being “in or out”. I don’t mind the cards MR are playing but they played that card too early.
Second I can’t stand that the WPA kicked out the APBU who I know was an accountability thorn in their side but then brought in ACBS who have little to do with pool and are clearly power mad and the driving force on WPA bans for non-sanctioned Asian events (Hanoi Open). And I don’t like that the ACBS tried to get the event shut down.
Third I’m sure all the “We Stand Together” was Matchroom getting the players in the room and pressuring them to post the statements. But these players are adults. They didn’t need to say anything without knowing their capacity to honor it. And certainly they didn’t need to say anything.
Fourth, Josh certainly stuck his foot in his mouth with his statements. He needs an agent or someone to review his public statements on important matters. He lost a lot of respect from fans.
Fifth, I can see taking him out of the Reyes Cup. The protests were about Asian bans. And it is a Matchroom invitational. It’s not like they are taking away his WNT tour card or banning him from open events. This is the “free money” stuff. He earned it through qualification but lost it through mishandling situations. I’ve heard he was ghosting them too which wouldn’t help.
Sixth, I’m kinda okay with taking him out of the Mosconi Cup. I hope he’s not still ghosting them. But the fans in the room were about to light him up. Enough that it could easily distract from the event in a negative way. And that’s on him.
Seventh, maybe there were terms he wouldn’t agree with. But I don’t like the idea he needed to get himself banned to be in good standing. That’s dirty politics. Players should have the choice to play both sides as long as they can. Same with Albin. And this is where Matchroom starts to look manipulative.
Eight, I wouldn’t have assumed Albin would have any long lasting consequences for missing Hanoi since he wasn’t in contention for Reyes or Mosconi Cup. But he didn’t just call Matchroom a dictatorship. And he might proved them right if he’s out burning bridges. I assumed they’d still have a shot at other invitationals down the road, keep their tour cards, and be able to play in open events. But maybe not with how that’s playing out. I’ll assume they’re fine long term. Again, hopefully they don’t need to get banned to be in good graces.
Nineth, I’m okay with a Matchroom dictatorship if they make millionaires of the players. But if their money is only “equal to WPA” then they don’t get a free pass for times they’re heavy handed. Which goes back to wondering why they wouldn’t just sanction up until they’re profitable enough to be independent. Because they made the first move in cutting off player options by leaving the fold prematurely.
Ever heard of a thing called a CONTRACT?? MR/WNT is well within their rights to fine/ban/suspend those under contract. No comparison to what the WPA has been doing.
Nonsense.
Two of the very best matches of the year were Filler vs Gorst, first at the Derby City 10-ball where Filler came from behind to win 10-9 and then at the World Pool Masters, where Gorst came from behind to win 13-12 in the final. If you equate losing Filler to losing two top Americans, you are uninformed. Filler brings as much electricity to an event as any player in the game.
Only two young players in the pro game are irreplaceable, and if we lose one of them in WNT competition, our sport takes a step backwards.
Here is where I think we agree. Once Matchroom has assured that those who dedicate all their attentions to Matchroom events make a big living from pool, I don't mind them having a semi-authoritarian hold on pro pool. After all, they have shown time and again that they have the vision, the structure and the management team to grow the pro game, so such a stronghold might, one day, serve the players' best interests. Still, we have yet to reach the day when players can feel assured of making a big income on Matchroom prize money alone. That said, we are getting there.
WNT players are not required to play the US Open.
I think another difference is the team event. Others on the team didn’t go play after saying they wouldn’t, right? How could those players tolerate him as a teammate? Maybe that’s not the issue, but if I were on the team and took some risk by boycotting the WPA event, I would not want him on the team.
Mosconi, Greenleaf, Reyes, Bustamante, Orcullo, Pagalayan, Strickland, Archer, SVB, and many others...
Does Filler really deserve Top 5 ranking of all time? He certainly has some great titles and his stats are unquestionable...but does longevity have any say in the matter? I mean, a quarterback who is best in the NFL for a few seasons isn't guaranteed the HOF, no matter how dominant....much less put in front of the likes of Brady, Bradshaw, Montana, Young, Favre, etc who all did it for more than a decade...
There have been times, such as when FSR, was winning everything a couple years ago, where Filler wasn't much of a factor.
You have been a huge Filler guy since at least 2017 when I really started paying attention, and Again, his stats since he turned pro are phenomenal, but top 5 all time...in his mid 20's? Not arguing, just wondering if that is your real belief or hyperbole.
Tend to agree here. Only time will tell. He definitely has all the chops to be in those guys category but he's still really young. I think this current episode in his career will hopefully teach him something. Integrity and your word still should mean something.
How much do these players get paid per week by MR?
AFAIK they don't. Pretty sure prize money is all they get. WST snooker players(top 130) get a min of 20,000 UK pounds per year but i haven't heard what if any the pool players get.
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in all sports the players get run over by the owners/promoters. that's the way it goes until they band together and get some clout to negotiate with. if they dont and cant get together its all on them.
if they agree to a contract then what that says is the rule of law, and then they just have themselves to complain over what they signed.
if they agree to a contract then what that says is the rule of law, and then they just have themselves to complain over what they signed.
Exactly! Who are they to tell the players when and where they can play
Sixth - having somebody everybody hates is more valuable than having somebody they love.
Howard stern was the perfect example- I believe people who hated him listened twice as long.
Jason<----always hated that liberal cuck lol