bud green said:
I find it pretty hard to believe that Mikes' success was based on drugs. One of the best 14.1 players in history and he planned all those perfect run-outs while ganked up on powder? One of the best records in pool and you want to just attribute it to drugs? Christ.
Seems like a pretty shitty low blow to me. Besides, those who believe drugs were that much of an advantage have to remember that these guys are playing other pros who also have the option of doing drugs. Add to that the fact that we're talking about tournements, not all night gambling sessions, where even guys like Mike can lose if they make just a few bad decisions in short races and the whole drug thing smells to me. Anyone who has actually tried crank knows it doesn't exactly make you think too clearly.
Having grown up in Northern Cal and known people on speed most of my adult life, I can usually tell within seconds if someone is high on crank but even I think its a stretch to just look at a picture and think you "know" a guy is using. If you can see dilated pupils in the pictures, which are usually full body shots of the champs, you got better eyes than me.
Maybe you should do some blow and go snap off 101 tourneys.
I am not downing the players for drug use. I neither agree or disagree with it, buy merely pointing out a fact that nobody likes to talk about.
How do you think Efren played all those matches and gambling sessions at the Derby City every year? The guy plays for like 10 days straight, snaps off Cliff Joyner, wins an event or two, and gambles and wins with others. Efren is absolutely the greatest player who ever lived, but he's NOT superman. Nobody, I mean nobody can sustain that high level of play with no rest without some kind of stimulant. Incidently, speed is like pot in the Philipines, and is a very commonly used drug. But, you in your all knowing wisdom are probably correct, and it's all the cigarettes that keep Efren as healthy as a marathon runner.
Anybody else notice how much weight Earl's lost in the last five years? How about his temper? Is it fair to say that as he's lost more weight, his antics and temper have become worse? As Earl hits an all time low with his weight, his antics and temper are at an all time high. No pun intended. FYI, stimulant type narcotics such as amphetemine, coke and desoxyn limit the appetite which can lead to weight loss. Oh, did I say desoxyn, sorry Earl.
Anybody read Buddy Hall's book Rags to Rifleman? Maybe you should, not only is it a great story about a legend of the game, but Buddy very frankly talks about drug use and what they used to call Black Beauties and poppers.
Anybody go to Valley Forge and watch the guys on the gambling table play for 3 days straight? Must be the beer and cigs that keep them going. Anybody see these guys on Sunday night when all the drugs are gone? They look like the local apa league calibre players.
I can go on and on and on with specific cases. If you want to pretend that drug use isn't happening with these players or that the stimulants don't help them perform, please, continue to live a life of ignorance. Otherwise, take a look at the big picture.
Rember, I am not faulting or passing judgement on the players that may or may not use drugs, merely pointing out that they do.
Will be interesting to watch it on the DVD.
