AJ Manas

Jaden said:
Yeah it's reminiscent of the higher amatuer levels where a player can become a danger to win any regional tourney but NEVER uses or learns how to use side spin. Great shot maker, etc, but limits how high he can reach by not learning all aspects of the game.

I'm not innocent in that respect either, the first few years I took this game seriously I learned to use draw and follow along with tangent line and speed control to do anything on the table. That just doesn't cut it in general and especially in specialist games like one hole. Higher level aspects like throw, reverse object ball spin, etc are absolute necessities at the higher levels of the game.

And until you've mastered those and other aspects of the game, making the right choice in situations isn't even possible, because your game doesn't precipitate all the available options.
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Best post in the thread!

A mentor of mine used to say that you need "a full library of shots from which to choose" if you want to be elite. In different words, I think you've said the same.

As you note, without a full library of shots, you will not always be able to choose the right shot for every given situation, which lowers your ceiling as a player.
 
Frosty said:
He owns beach front property in Shaws head at this point. He’s just blasted him in several recent events.
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Yes, and then Tyler Styer eliminated him in the same US Open. This thread asserts that AJ has a super-high gear at times but also takes note that because his arsenal is a bit limited, he is vulnerable.
 
Frosty said:
He owns beach front property in Shaws head at this point. He’s just blasted him in several recent events.
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To me Shaws his own ''worst'' enemy.
Here's a man in his past/youth... that has easily shown me, until the last rack is in the bag, you were never safe.
He was easily a Filler and better, had another gear.... till he started ''filling out''.
I look at Jason differently than most pro pool players (I look at his life and some of his match conflicts, from my narrow perspective and saw his taste in money is seemingly more important than fair play/SAD.
I did sadly lose my interest after seeing that this past yr.
Very Few great 9 ballers.... ever raised a family and played top end, this guy has it. Tough Road
But all I see is him livin' off the fat and slackin' in his prime.
He's outta shape and could easily play a ball better, his game is not as good as is was, and could of been easily two balls better than his level now.
 
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sjm said:
Yes, he has to get mentally stronger, but I think that's not the biggest issue. He shoots as straight as all but a handful in the men's game, but he is missing some features, especially in the areas of defense, kicking, and the use of two-way-shots. Until he's playing all the right shots, he won't be in the process of mastering all the right shots.

It is not uncommon for a young, really straight shooter, to never get around to becoming elite in the skills needed to beat players to the shot (the break, defense, kicking, jumping, using two-way shots, tactical conceptualization and general risk management). Today's brand of 9ball, with very tight pockets and a very narrow break box, requires a lot of grinding, and the big winners are those that complement their superior offensive execution with the knowledge and skills to beat opponents to the shot.

Even if he becomes mentally stronger and has the work ethic of an SVB, Gorst or Filler, he won't get to the top unless he becomes a more well-rounded player.

Wishing him well in his continued pursuit of excellence.
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As always by SJM. Jayson Shaw started off as one of the games straightest shooters. He had to develop the other skills SJM refers to become an elite player.
 
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