The wild card was specifically meant for players like Billy Thorpe. A wild card choice is not merely about rankings, but intangibles or fit. That is, of course, why it was created.
The choice of Thorpe reminds me of the USA Basketball Team in the Olympics. When Kawhi Leonard was dropped, Derrick White was added. Jaylen Brown is a better player on the Celtics. And there are players in the league who are better. But White was viewed as a better fit. Turned out he was.
That said, I don't think Thorpe is a great choice. He has been inconsistent, at best, this year. Oscar is a better breaker and pattern player. He has also been more competitive vs the very best players in the world. He arguably was as good this year as he's ever been on the pro tour.
Choosing Billy for his rah-rah game also seems a bit unfair. SVB and Styer are as low key as one could be. Oscar is sort of getting punished for it, even though he actually has more personality than either one. Amazed he's never been picked as wild card. Just not right.
I hope Billy plays well, but if he doesn't, Sky should get excoriated.
Not a fan of player coaches, either. The fact that neither Sky nor Shaw qualified on points is a black mark to me. Sky definitely eased back this year. Shaw, to his credit, did not.
. Check people in and such. If you volunteer, I won't have to. 
