Good points all! You need to know that Billy and Freddie are the two that created this monster One Pocket player known as Efren. They both spent many hours playing and teaching Efren the finer points of the game, so if he plays good they look good. Kapeche?
Ronnie and Efren had/have two different styles. Playing close position around the balls Efren has no equal, not Ronnie, not anyone. Playing balls off the end rail and getting position, again Efren is superior to everyone I've ever seen. Manufacturing run outs from unlikely or impossible situations Ronnie was the king. Finding unorthodox shots and making them, plus breaking out balls to boot, Ronnie was the master.
Kicking multiple rails to escape traps and make balls, again no one did it like Ronnie. Efren's run outs look easier because he plays such pin point position. Ronnie's run outs looked miraculous, but after you saw him do it so many times, you knew it was no fluke.
In a tournament setting Ronnie was merely good. His best pool was saved for the big money games, of which he won many. No question Efren has a lot of heart, but Ronnie had heart and the moxie to take on what appeared to be a bad game at first. And then turn everything around! He was the real deal. I can attest to that.
Yes Jay, I hear you and want to give gratitudes for the tutorial.
I have utmost respect for all the old skoolers, especially of course for the champions but also everyone who has dedicated their lives to our sport.
I wish there was some footage of Ronnie's game in his prime, I'd really want to see that. Same goes of course with Lassiter and all the others.
Two things came up in my mind:
Firstly: I must ask about Ronnie's game and those days, that wasn't the pockets looser then?
I mean, Efren's pin point cue ball gives him so much advantage when the pockets are tight, and if I've got it correct, Ronnie used to play somewhat reckless/aggressive 1-P, then he couldn't probably manage with that if the pockets are tight. If the pockets are loose, then aggressive style suits better when you find the confidence. Cue ball doesn't matter so much, when you have the feeling in your guts that you'll pocket it anyway.
Secondly: What did you mean by this:
"Playing balls off the end rail and getting position, again Efren is superior to everyone I've ever seen."
Naturally I understand the "getting position" part, but as I've understood that Efren's biggest advantage is the thing you mentioned first (playing close position), I've also understood that his end rail banking is one of the weaker parts. Not saying he sucks in that of course, but that when playing him, many other top 1-P players rather shoot the balls to the end rail (isn't it call
"Chicago Style"?) to avoid this 'close position artistry' from him and challenging him for long bank shots.
Also I was surprised you gave credit for Ronnie for multirail-kicking, as I've always thought Efren is in his own class in that, but I'm not challenging your statement, just surprised.
) being a professional player; but has "cleaned up his act" (for lack of a better descriptive term), and landed himself a coveted spot on a high profile group (Team C.S.I.), with two other high profile players (Earl and Corey). I just wish he'd quit woofing with suprjerk, and just let it die. If Larry really wanted to play John, he'd reach out to him on his own, without some loudmouthed alleged representative.
I've looked at my message and don't see whats wrong with it...
