SSach said:
Enough about Kid D spending too much time between shots...... Danny has heart and knows how to match up.... He bares down and takes a little bit more time when he is in a tougher match and realizes he can't make any mistakes, but that is his style. If you don't like it don't play him or watch!
There are many players out there that talk shit when you are shooting...wine like little B!@#$es when they miss and try to get in your head with their antics. I agree that too many breaks can be disturbing, but things like that should be worked out prior to him playing a money match. And I don't think he is doing it to shark anyone he is playing.
I've seen Danny play on numerous occasions, in action and competitively in tournaments. I have NEVER seen him have a take-a-break problem in a tournament/action settnig. Yes, he does shoot slow, but so what? So does Jeremy Jones, and because of his slow and deliberate play, he won the 2003 U.S. Open, and why not? If I was in the pit, I'd be doing everything possible to make it to the winner's circle. If shooting slow makes me a winner, I'm going to shoot slow.
Relating to a shot clock, I've seen Danny in this type of setting, too, and he DRILLED Corey Deuel at the GCO last year with a 30-second shot clock in force. Several weeks ago, Corey wins the Bike event by beating Danny in the finals. Danny's name seems to keep popping up in the semi-finals and finals matches in a lot of events as of late.
Vivian whistles, Nick Varner chews that gum, Earl Strickland talks when he's under the gun, Charlie Williams swipes his stick up and down repetitively before firing, Frankie Hernandez likes to poke fun at his opponents before a match, hoping to get under their skin, Buddy Hall likes complete quiet when he's in the heat of battle and slow walks his way around the table between shots, Mike Davis spends more time racking the balls than he does contemplating a shot, Danny Medina has a bizarre tongue movement when he's competing, and on and on. Whatever it takes to win, every player has their own personal traits when in their individual zones.
Danny Basavich wasn't born with a silver spoon in his mouth, and he's traveled up the pool totem pole the hard way. Because of his efforts, Pittsburgh Steel recognized some good qualities in Kid Delicious and sponsors him, providing him an opportunity to live out his dreams and keep his pool journey moving forward. In return, Danny practices non-stop and continues to this day to improve his game. He's come a long way, and he ain't done yet! (IMO)
He's also fortunate to have a very loving and supportive family who backs him up on his endeavors. As far as being a "road player," he hasn't traveled nearly as much as some players I know from yesteryear, but I give him credit for recognizing that the on-the-road pool player doesn't yield a very satisfying lifestyle, and he had the good sense to do something about it.
Slow or fast, fat or skinny, he's one of a kind. The first time I met him, I knew he was special. It was something in his eyes which revealed his deep passion for the sport and a strong desire to be somebody someday, at whatever cost. Some people are just result pickers. Those who recognize champion quality already know Danny Basavich is there.
Again, I'm proud to call him my friend, and Keith thinks the world of Danny himself, as long as it's not Danny on the other end of Keith's table (LOL).
JAM