Coach Johan says Team USA "not ready" for Mosconi Cup...

pro9dg said:
Or somebody MADE LOU AN OFFER HE COULDN'T REFUSE
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you'd be surprised @ what a b1tch in cowboy boots can accomplish @ Vegas during the Rodeo

(not to be confused w/ those 3 Rays who were 6'2"....)
:cool:

(thanks again, CueBuddy!)
 
pro9dg said:
That's OK with me Lou. But why start the topic in the first place. No offence.
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IMO, in direct answer to your question pro9dg (you pro-Euro empathetic sonnofagun ; some of this ain't supposed to be disclosed to ya'll non-yanks). There should be a college course in the psychology behind the pool biz. Maybe that will be my next entrepreneurial venture. What a huge market!

It's all funky, right?

Having spent days this last week, reluctantly meeting and enduring The Lou ;) sharing family stories, pic's, life experiences (SOB tried to clock my speed like a swiss watch maker - maybe you'll find out Lou after you have JB's $ in your pocket) - I picked up on nothing but a good family man with passion for life, a yearn for knowledge/growth and pool.

I hope/trust he picked up the same from me, albeit on Mourning night after being over served at the High Roller bar at Mirage - where Pinky sat between us. I got in 10 words ;) (BTW, Lou, I see it's taken you a couple days to get your wits back too, lmao, that was a rather taxing trip)

It's a miracle we all made our flights. Lou dropped consciousness with his Ipad on belly in his room at X am (so he reported). Concurrently, Pinky was face down on our bed, negligent in alarm setting. Only cause I got up to let my Perfect Manhattans go asta, did we realize we had 20 minutes to pack. Then the scramble - They were closing the tarmac as we ran towards.

KK9<-- lost one of his 9 lives at '13 Cup (The 3 hookers will be another story, that was a wtf - target audience?)
 
Cuebuddy said:
Then I can count on you not to spill the beans on the quality of my 3C game?
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I was there at Best Billiards. All you did was hit rails. Your 3C game is about as good as your new avatar. Sjm confirmed this in confidence, but he's too much a gentleman to say as much. We'll keep it secret Jim. :grin-square:
 
lfigueroa said:
You know what... I have dealt with classified material most of my professional life. I have also dealt with tons of stuff that is totally a judgement call on whether to share it or not.

Now in a different life, one of the reasons important people in the pool world talk to me, share what they know, and ask my opinion, is that they know I can keep my mouth shut when that is appropriate.

Lou Figueroa
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I am... Viper Command.

Sent from my Galaxy S4
 
Hatch deserves some extra credit

PINKLADY said:
OP - perhaps this is why?
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That was a kool kiss between Hatch and Daz. lmao. Hatch was trying to get in harmony, trying IMO to reconcile defeat. Hatch - if you're reading - your coming to the lounge was a seriously awesome show of sportmanship. How you were received that night speaks volumes for the respect they have for you. :thumbup:

That happened just after Karl, as we were shoulder to shoulder at the bar awaiting to order a beverage - he gave me a backwords triple nut grab. Each of the 3 was with him sporting a shit eating grin. I wtf'ed him the first 2. I was rather taken aback. Last one, I swatted and let him know he knew he'd outworn his welcome.

It gave me a much better understanding as to the cultural differences and what is acceptable. I think. I shit you not. It happened. I took it in jest and am now in therapy.

Euro's are nuts. Funny MFers, so different from regular humans. :eek:
 
KK9 I like your writing style.
I don't understand most of it coz it is kind of ...cryptic....yet poetic.
Now that you are back home are you still able to get everything that you need to maintain these literary masterpieces?
 
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PINKLADY said:
you'd be surprised @ what a b1tch in cowboy boots can accomplish @ Vegas during the Rodeo

(not to be confused w/ those 3 Rays who were 6'2"....)
:cool:

(thanks again, CueBuddy!)
Click to expand...


Learnt me a new term this trip: Buckle Bunny.

Lou Figueroa
 
KoolKat9Lives said:
IMO, in direct answer to your question pro9dg (you pro-Euro empathetic sonnofagun ; some of this ain't supposed to be disclosed to ya'll non-yanks). There should be a college course in the psychology behind the pool biz. Maybe that will be my next entrepreneurial venture. What a huge market!

It's all funky, right?

Having spent days this last week, reluctantly meeting and enduring The Lou ;) sharing family stories, pic's, life experiences (SOB tried to clock my speed like a swiss watch maker - maybe you'll find out Lou after you have JB's $ in your pocket) - I picked up on nothing but a good family man with passion for life, a yearn for knowledge/growth and pool.

I hope/trust he picked up the same from me, albeit on Mourning night after being over served at the High Roller bar at Mirage - where Pinky sat between us. I got in 10 words ;) (BTW, Lou, I see it's taken you a couple days to get your wits back too, lmao, that was a rather taxing trip)

It's a miracle we all made our flights. Lou dropped consciousness with his Ipad on belly in his room at X am (so he reported). Concurrently, Pinky was face down on our bed, negligent in alarm setting. Only cause I got up to let my Perfect Manhattans go asta, did we realize we had 20 minutes to pack. Then the scramble - They were closing the tarmac as we ran towards.

KK9<-- lost one of his 9 lives at '13 Cup (The 3 hookers will be another story, that was a wtf - target audience?)
Click to expand...


What I picked up on is that youze guys are the nuts and good people.

Lou Figueroa
had a ball
 
KoolKat9Lives said:
That was a kool kiss between Hatch and Daz. lmao. Hatch was trying to get in harmony, trying IMO to reconcile defeat. Hatch - if you're reading - your coming to the lounge was a seriously awesome show of sportmanship. How you were received that night speaks volumes for the respect they have for you. :thumbup:

That happened just after Karl, as we were shoulder to shoulder at the bar awaiting to order a beverage - he gave me a backwords triple nut grab. Each of the 3 was with him sporting a shit eating grin. I wtf'ed him the first 2. I was rather taken aback. Last one, I swatted and let him know he knew he'd outworn his welcome.

It gave me a much better understanding as to the cultural differences and what is acceptable. I think. I shit you not. It happened. I took it in jest and am now in therapy.

Euro's are nuts. Funny MFers, so different from regular humans. :eek:
Click to expand...


I guess I got off easy with Appleton just rubbing his hand all over my face.

Lou Figueroa
dodged a bullet
 
SouthernDraw said:
I am glad that Barry Hearn is taking an interest in American pool. I have lived in Western Europe, Eastern Europe (where my better half is from) and the Near East. I can't say hardly anything as absolute...but, I can tell you that the formula in the States is different than the formula in W. Europe, ....different than E. Europe, ...different than Asia, etc. If someone thinks that investing a $Million in cameras is important,... in America this is foolish money spent. Viewers watch so many other sports and tv shows it is crazy. Even strong events have measely viewership. We demand choices. The numbers just don't add up. You can't put on lavish events and then pay decent pay days. And their sponsorships comes from unique relationships that have nothing to do with the actual sport. So many people think they understand the US, but they can't imagine just how uniquely diverse we are and how different our economic system is. For example, Nascar relies heavily on female product sponsors.

I was in Italy when they won the World Cup, it was absolutely the most incredible thing that I've ever seen. Old men and women, small children, teens carrying flags and chanting in a 5 hour traffic jam at up until 5am. But, I never saw older people, women or small children at a soccer game. They are sport crazy. This is true. But, they are not sports crazy in the same way Americans are. Whether it is football, basketball, baseball, hockey, nascar, etc. There are men, women and children in numbers at the events that is unlike Europe. And all high school and college sports have different demographics than other sports.

I am not saying that he can't do it! I am just saying that he had better have a good formula for success in America! And that will absolutely be different than any other place. That also has to begin with educating our players. They are much different than Europeans, in that they were trained in a gambling and hustlin' culture. That doesn't mean that they are bad people. But, they need to be re-trained and you will need patience. Not berating by saying things like..."they need to be more professional!" This does little to advance change.

My best advice is to research the roots of NASCAR. Stock car was a unique and very niche sport. It was built up by a few personalities. Alot of rivalries. And always putting the fan first. It took them 50 years to build into a legitimate sport. I wish him the best of luck. As a fan, there is nothing I would rather see happen in the sports world than Barry Hearn's success in America!
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Congratulations sir, that was possibly the most intelligent look at the "Mosconi Cup", and American pool in general, I've ever seen ! You have brought up some key points, that myself, (and obviously Barry Hearn) had never even thought of.

I have often pointed out the difference between the American Pro player, and the Euro's..Mainly the 'anti-team' mentality we have, versus the Euro's pro- team concept, and their level of comradery..They seem to genuinely respect each other, and their opponents !..Also, you brought up some good ideas, as to how we might improve on the cards we were dealt !

You were diplomatic, in avoiding naming names, but I don't share that burden..As long as we have the poster boy, for the "Ugly American" on team USA, there is NO hope for improvement !..Earl Strickland should be banned from any future games, that allow him to represent our country.. Sadly, as was witnessed at this years Cup, there seem to be a few, who might be willing to take his place, as head 'crybaby' !

Whether it be 'the rolls', short sessions, poor play, whatever..there is NO reason to act like a bunch of asses, when you are getting your ass handed to you !..Nobody likes to lose so badly, but the chidish actions of a few, made me almost ashamed to be an American !..Its starting to look like losing gracefully is a trait that we may never possess, as a team !

I hope that the powers that be, take some of your (our) observations to heart, or the next international match-up, may be called "The Reyes Cup" !
 
lfigueroa said:
I guess I got off easy with Appleton just rubbing his hand all over my face.

Lou Figueroa
dodged a bullet
Click to expand...

You did dodge one. No man, outside of a doctor's office, has ever run my package.

That aside, the only thing in pool better than being table side at the Cup, is being at the post game with the players, industry people and fellow psychos. Pandamonium at its finest!

I'm glad you did the puppy face with your wife a few weeks ago to get your kitchen pass. Well played sir. This was a memory of a lifetime, and worth every cent.
 
SouthernDraw said:
I am glad that Barry Hearn is taking an interest in American pool. I have lived in Western Europe, Eastern Europe (where my better half is from) and the Near East. I can't say hardly anything as absolute...but, I can tell you that the formula in the States is different than the formula in W. Europe, ....different than E. Europe, ...different than Asia, etc. If someone thinks that investing a $Million in cameras is important,... in America this is foolish money spent. Viewers watch so many other sports and tv shows it is crazy. Even strong events have measely viewership. We demand choices. The numbers just don't add up. You can't put on lavish events and then pay decent pay days. And their sponsorships comes from unique relationships that have nothing to do with the actual sport. So many people think they understand the US, but they can't imagine just how uniquely diverse we are and how different our economic system is. For example, Nascar relies heavily on female product sponsors.

I was in Italy when they won the World Cup, it was absolutely the most incredible thing that I've ever seen. Old men and women, small children, teens carrying flags and chanting in a 5 hour traffic jam at up until 5am. But, I never saw older people, women or small children at a soccer game. They are sport crazy. This is true. But, they are not sports crazy in the same way Americans are. Whether it is football, basketball, baseball, hockey, nascar, etc. There are men, women and children in numbers at the events that is unlike Europe. And all high school and college sports have different demographics than other sports.

I am not saying that he can't do it! I am just saying that he had better have a good formula for success in America! And that will absolutely be different than any other place. That also has to begin with educating our players. They are much different than Europeans, in that they were trained in a gambling and hustlin' culture. That doesn't mean that they are bad people. But, they need to be re-trained and you will need patience. Not berating by saying things like..."they need to be more professional!" This does little to advance change.

My best advice is to research the roots of NASCAR. Stock car was a unique and very niche sport. It was built up by a few personalities. Alot of rivalries. And always putting the fan first. It took them 50 years to build into a legitimate sport. I wish him the best of luck. As a fan, there is nothing I would rather see happen in the sports world than Barry Hearn's success in America!
Click to expand...

I hope Barry reads this. Great post SouthernDraw! Maybe he already understands all of these cultural differences, maybe he doesn't. Now, if he can only line up great sponsors like Tampax, Budweiser, Skittles and Depends, he'll be off to the races. ;)
 
Seems simple include Canada and Mexico and make it North America against Europe. Get Alex P. and Shane and let the rest get picked by who has the highest ratings on the tournament tour or let those two pick the remaining players. Hopefully a lot of the young guns would get picked.

And under no circumstances is Earl ever allowed back!

I would bet on that team against Europe and I guarantee it would be fun to watch whether we win or lose!
 
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