CJ vs Earl bonus match

evergruven

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I don't know the context, but that I read sky just beat him good
and then earl in general

I would never excuse somebody's negative actions
in lieu of their accomplishments
no doubt earl has forged his share of both
he's discredited opponents who play fair
and shown plenty of poor sportsmanship
he's applauded opponents who play with skill
and been humble in defeat
he told michaela to "shut up"
and then brought flowers to her and apologized

"the pearl" needs some buffing from time to time
but can still shine up nice
I wish him well. on the table, and in his life
 

yankee817299

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I sat there all 4 days through both matches. Lots of good pool to watch, and very entertaining at times. I have never seen Earl play in person before, but it just sounds like he speaks his mind. Much better than holding it all inside. After the matches and the pressure was off he seamed like a "normal" guy. He talked and joked with all the fans, gave Sky a good pat on the back and complimented his game and playing ability. I had a great time and will do it again when Earl is back in town.
 

garczar

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I sat there all 4 days through both matches. Lots of good pool to watch, and very entertaining at times. I have never seen Earl play in person before, but it just sounds like he speaks his mind. Much better than holding it all inside. After the matches and the pressure was off he seamed like a "normal" guy. He talked and joked with all the fans, gave Sky a good pat on the back and complimented his game and playing ability. I had a great time and will do it again when Earl is back in town.
When Earl was in Tulsa for Gabe Owen's 1p event in '10 i was around him for about a week. He couldn't have nicer or more accomodating. Maybe because he didn't really expect to win he relaxed some. I don't know but he never once showed his ass while here. I don't think he's bi-polar or anything else i've heard mentioned. When he plays 9b he still thinks he can compete with anyone but he can't. His ego gets the best of him and he goes off. For a while it was kinda amusing but now its just sad and hard to watch one of the all time greats act out.
 

Black-Balled

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Neither here but, like Scott said earlier, I have a family member that suffers from the exact same thing and unless it's treated, it is a disaster "waiting" to happen. Then again, even when in treatment, it's always a good chance of issues, just not as often nor as severe.

It's not a joking matter in the least.

Jeff

Same thing, eh? What is the thing/ diagnosis?
 

Maniac

2manyQ's
Silver Member
Its not.

If they had a mentally ill family member, I guaran-goddamn-tee you they would not find it amusing if someone showed up on their doorstep to antagonize them and get them "to go off".

But mostly, people like to talk shit on the internet. Free entertainment for some folks.

This is just me, but if I had a family member that couldn't control their behavior in any kind of event that has a rule, written or unwritten, that requires proper etiquette, I would do my best to see that this family member doesn't participate in that event.

It's just not fair to all the others for them to have to listen to all that psycho-babble. What if all the other competitors started doing the same thing? Would someone (TD or referee) make them be quiet?

And Scott Lee saying his illness is bipolar, but undiagnosed and unmedicated. If it's undiagnosed, then it just might possibly be that he's not bipolar at all and he's just been getting away with being an a$$ for so many years. He seems to only act that way if he's around a pool table. Does he act that way on the golf and tennis courts? Bipolar doesn't just turn itself on and off around a pool tournament.

And...if he is bipolar and unmedicated, then his whole attitude is on him, whether or not the meds affect his ability to play. Hell, his constant jabber is many times a detriment to his opponents play. Why would Earl's opponent's game have to suffer because Earl won't medicate so HIS game won't?

If everyone thinks that Earl should be able to run his mouth during a pool match, then the rules should be changed so that any player can run theirs. It seems to me that there are at least as many, and maybe more, people that think Earl's behavior is unacceptable as opposed to the ones who believe he should get a pass (for whatever reason he acts out like he does).

Maniac
 

BasementDweller

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Do you have a subject that you are well versed in, and can ascertain details about it at a glance?

I would guess your answer to be yes. Pool if nothing else should fit that description.

And if so, why do you think that other people dont have the knowledge and ability to recognize mental illness when they see and or hear it?

Is this even a serious question? Only crackpot psychologists (or psychiatrists), who desire media attention, would ever try to diagnose someone from afar. It's a joke.

Just a couple things worth noting:

1. Like many, I've been around people with mental health issues my entire life.
2. After viewing the above things my entire life, I recognize offering up a proper diagnosis isn't easy, even for trained professionals.
3. Earl's mental health has been talked about on here for years.
4. Nearly everyone that has ever talked about Earl's personality has stated that he's a joy to be around when he's not competing.
5. If #4 doesn't give someone pause when offering up their mental health diagnosis, I don't know what else could.
 

BasementDweller

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
6. If those we cared about who struggle with mental health issues could completely eliminate those struggles by eliminating a game, we would all rejoice.
 
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Tennesseejoe

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Earl may have some problems but it is exciting to watch his skill. Just look at the good and you will learn something.


Ease up fellows. Damn.
Nope, Earl is not now nor will he ever be even half the player he was in his prime. But, all this chit talk is just that...chit IMO.

Let the man do what he does.....play pool.

If he's playing bad or he is just not in a good place mentally leave it alone and don't watch if you don't want to but, stop being a55's....it's the Pearl.

Just because one gets past their prime and has several really bad days doesn't mean they should take a knee and retire.

Jeff
 

SBC

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Would like to see some of the shit talkers call the old man out. Sure he'd give up some good weight.
 

Maniac

2manyQ's
Silver Member
Would like to see some of the shit talkers call the old man out. Sure he'd give up some good weight.

It's not about ability, it's about proper etiquette/tableside manners/distracting other players.

It's quite obvious to all the man can play pool.

I have never disliked Earl. I just don't think he should be given a pass for his antics during a match. I've seen a case where he was a distraction to players playing a match two tables over.

Maniac (no shit-talker/hater in any shape or form)
 

RiverCity

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Is this even a serious question? Only crackpot psychologists (or psychiatrists), who desire media attention, would ever try to diagnose someone from afar. It's a joke.

Just a couple things worth noting:

1. Like many, I've been around people with mental health issues my entire life.
2. After viewing the above things my entire life, I recognize offering up a proper diagnosis isn't easy, even for trained professionals.
3. Earl's mental health has been talked about on here for years.
4. Nearly everyone that has ever talked about Earl's personality has stated that he's a joy to be around when he's not competing.
5. If #4 doesn't give someone pause when offering up their mental health diagnosis, I don't know what else could.

I did not come to this conclusion "from afar". Ive met Earl, and talked to him.

I wont give a diagnosis as his symptomology is consistent with several possible issues. There is comorbidity of symptoms.

3, 4 and 5 are meaningless.
 

RiverCity

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
This is just me, but if I had a family member that couldn't control their behavior in any kind of event that has a rule, written or unwritten, that requires proper etiquette, I would do my best to see that this family member doesn't participate in that event....

Maniac

I have said this for years on here. I have also said that some of the responsibility lies on the tournament promoters who know he has issues, and continue to invite him because he is a draw. A draw based on blowups and making an ass out of himself.

When I say someone is mentally ill, I am not relieving them of responsibility for their actions. I am noting the root of the problem, and I find no humor in people being entertained by his issues.
 

BeiberLvr

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I have said this for years on here. I have also said that some of the responsibility lies on the tournament promoters who know he has issues, and continue to invite him because he is a draw. A draw based on blowups and making an ass out of himself.

When I say someone is mentally ill, I am not relieving them of responsibility for their actions. I am noting the root of the problem, and I find no humor in people being entertained by his issues.

I wonder what percentage of people watch in hopes that he plays great (like at Turning Stone) and the percentage of those that watch to see him "blow up"
 

RiverCity

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I wonder what percentage of people watch in hopes that he plays great (like at Turning Stone) and the percentage of those that watch to see him "blow up"

If you take this forum as a representation of the pool watching community as a whole.... I would say it leans heavily to the side of people wanting to see him go off.

Sure there are people wanting to see his brilliance come out again, but it seems very lopsided to me based on responses in posts over the last 13-14 years of reading AZB.
 

skogstokig

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
If you take this forum as a representation of the pool watching community as a whole.... I would say it leans heavily to the side of people wanting to see him go off.

Sure there are people wanting to see his brilliance come out again, but it seems very lopsided to me based on responses in posts over the last 13-14 years of reading AZB.

on the other hand i've seen him pick out a section of a perfectly polite crowd and begin his usual arguing. so there is no need for provocateurs for him to go off.

but it sure was nice to see him beat shaw and shane at the turning stone with very little erratic behaviour on display, just pure shooting.
 

jrctherake

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Earl may have some problems but it is exciting to watch his skill. Just look at the good and you will learn something.

Yes sir, most anyone can and will learn something from watching Earl, especially people that play more old-school patterns that spin the cue ball a little more than todays connect-the-dots players.

It takes a lot of skill to connect-the-dots but, IMHO it takes even more skill to be a spinner and still play at super high levels like Earl has for decades.

It truly is a breath of fresh air to see someone like Earl in gear, when compared to the style of the average pro today.

When people say they hate rotation games it's because players with Earl's skill-set and feel for the table is a thing of the past. His style of play is worth watching regardless of game played.

Jeff
 
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