How good was George Breedlove

[Nature Boy]

I left the game around the time he started and was curious.

Accu-Stats has released two of his matches recently, both playing Sigel.

He won both and played incredible.

He looked great and played the game like many of us think it should be played.

 

[Black-Balled]

I left the game around the time he started and was curious.

Accu-Stats has released two of his matches recently, both playing Sigel.

He won both and played incredible.

He looked great and played the game like many of us think it should be played.

Could beat anybody in a tournament.

Anybody.

 

[u12armresl]

I left the game around the time he started and was curious.

Accu-Stats has released two of his matches recently, both playing Sigel.

He won both and played incredible.

He looked great and played the game like many of us think it should be played.

George has always been a gambler first. Under the radar still for most people.
He's had top pros like Neills at his house and came out on top if that tells you anything.

 

[sjm]

As noted, George was an action player first, a tournament player second. I am no position to rate him as an action player, but I saw him up close at tournaments on several occasions.

As a tournament player, his best years were probably in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was among those that left the PBT for CJ Wiley's PCA tour, along with some other top players that included Strickland and Rempe. He'd have been about the tenth ranked player on that tour, one who often found his way to the late rounds but rarely won an event. Perhaps he was the Alex Kazakis of his day, being capable of near perfect play but rarely finding the finish line against the toughest fields. George had one of the best breaks in the world, so he sometime sat opponents down for racks at a time.

 

[Nature Boy]

As noted, George was an action player first, a tournament player second. I am no position to rate him as an action player, but I saw him up close at tournaments on several occasions.

As a tournament player, his best years were probably in the late 1990s and early 2000s. He was among those that left the PBT for CJ Wiley's PCA tour, along with some other top players that included Strickland and Rempe. He'd have been about the tenth ranked player on that tour, one who often found his way to the late rounds but rarely won an event. Perhaps he was the Alex Kazakis of his day, being capable of near perfect play but rarely finding the finish line against the toughest fields. George had one of the best breaks in the world, so he sometime sat opponent's down for racks at a time.

Man, I miss breaking like that.

I wish we could find a way to bring it back, but you say that isn't possible.

 

[garczar]

Before he hit the big tournament scene this dude terrorized the midwest. When he came thru Tulsa in '88ish no one knew him and he blitzed everybody. Fearless gambler with a huge break and good allround skills.

 

[garczar]

Man, I miss breaking like that.

I wish we could find a way to bring it back, but you say that isn't possible.

I think the huge break was a product of the times and the equipment. Once fast worsted cloth took hold that massive snap just wasn't needed.

 

[skor]

I think the huge break was a product of the times and the equipment. Once fast worsted cloth took hold that massive snap just wasn't needed.

And the tighter rack.
I also miss the big break, Bustamante style, he was my favorite.

 

[Island Drive]

I left the game around the time he started and was curious.

Accu-Stats has released two of his matches recently, both playing Sigel.

He won both and played incredible.

He looked great and played the game like many of us think it should be played.

Reno yrs.... Janette L.

 

[sjm]

Man, I miss breaking like that.

I wish we could find a way to bring it back, but you say that isn't possible.

Yeah, the full speed break is a dying breed, although Kaci, Bijsterbosch and a few others still often feature it in WNT play.

I'm not sure the power break in 9ball is gone forever in WNT play, but the days of the corner ball being stone cold dead have passed, so most WNT pro players have chosen to sacrifice some power for the cut break needed to consistently make a ball on the break.

Like you, I miss those days. Even so, in regional and independent tournaments, you can still see the power break on a regular basis.

 

[maha]

it was a big part of the game and a lucky part. so was exciting to watch as you never knew what was about to happen.

now it is just oh, he cut the one in the side and if open ran out.

when someone like busty, little david, wade crane, and a few others, everyone watched to see what would go.
now blah, blah , blah.

 

[sjm]

I think the huge break was a product of the times and the equipment. Once fast worsted cloth took hold that massive snap just wasn't needed.

Agreed. In about 1998, many thought Archer to have the best break in the world, but Johnny typically hit them in the 24-25 mph range, well below guys like George Breedlove, Tony Ellin, Wade Crane, Francisco Bustamante and David Howard. Johnny would make the wing ball and send the one ball diagonally toward one of the back corner pockets. It was a magical break that won him a lot of tournaments.

 

[straightline]

Agreed. In about 1998, many thought Archer to have the best break in the world, but Johnny typically hit them in the 24-25 mph range, well below guys like George Breedlove, Tony Ellin, Wade Crane, Francisco Bustamante and David Howard. Johnny would make the wing ball and send the one ball diagonally toward one of the back corner pockets. It was a magical break that won him a lot of tournaments.

Johnny's break - is that where he got the Scorpion name?

 

[sjm]

Johnny's break - is that where he got the Scorpion name?

No idea.

 

[The Old Jaybird]

Archer was the Scorpion due to his zodiac sign, Scorpio.

Little trivia....Johnny was a twin, but his brother died at birth. I sat with his parents years ago in Chattanooga 9 ball tourney, talked with them for a couple hours, nice down to earth folks.

Breedlove earned the Flamethower handle, he punished the balls on the snap.

 

[straightline]

Archer was the Scorpion due to his zodiac sign, Scorpio.

Little trivia....Johnny was a twin, but his brother died at birth. I sat with his parents years ago in Chattanooga 9 ball tourney, talked with them for a couple hours, nice down to earth folks.

Breedlove earned the Flamethower handle, he punished the balls on the snap.

Ok. Mystery solved. I always thought his break was like the business end of a scorpion. Wonder which one came first?

 

[jay helfert]

Agreed. In about 1998, many thought Archer to have the best break in the world, but Johnny typically hit them in the 24-25 mph range, well below guys like George Breedlove, Tony Ellin, Wade Crane, Francisco Bustamante and David Howard. Johnny would make the wing ball and send the one ball diagonally toward one of the back corner pockets. It was a magical break that won him a lot of tournaments.

Don't forget Danny Medina!

 

[jay helfert]

To answer the original question, George was a top speed player, a dangerous draw in tourneys and always ready to bet it up!

 

[maha]

racking for yourself also had an effect on the break strategy.

why would you let anyone rack for themselves.

 

[easy-e]

Before he hit the big tournament scene this dude terrorized the midwest. When he came thru Tulsa in '88ish no one knew him and he blitzed everybody. Fearless gambler with a huge break and good allround skills.

Who is the best player in Tulsa now?