howlieboy9
Registered
A lot of people are talking about natural talent. It is not required. At all. Just because someone picks up the game quickly doesn’t mean that it’s impossible for another person to become a pro if he doesn’t. It’s not where you start but where you finish. It will take longer for some. But to put a cap on human potential in a game that doesn’t require strength, speed, or IQ is just wrong.It's like people seriously don't read and think that a few anecdotal stories proves there is no such thing as natural talent.
Of course, any average person can improve over time given that they put in the work, and I'm happy to hear that you have improved.
What about the guys that have been playing as long as you have, but haven't practiced nearly as much, and yet can still give you the 7? Those are the players with natural talent. A higher level of hand/eye coordination and spatial awareness.
Not being cocky or argumentative but I honestly don’t know anyone that has played as short a time as me that can give me the 7 without playing everyday. I would be super impressed if I met that person. All the old guys ask for weight now and tell me I would be a below average player in the 80s and 90s. I have no frame of reference so I laugh and think maybe they’re right. But I doubt it.
I guess the reason why I had to chime in on this topic is because I can actually give an answer on this based on real life, not negative speculation (you either got it or ya don’t attitude) on one side or delusions of grandeur on the other. If you didn’t become the player you wanted to be it had NOTHING to do with god given talent, or eyes, or hand-eye coordination. It had to do with a lack of hard work. It sucks setting up the same shot and shooting it for 2-3 straight hours. 20 minutes feels like 12 hours. It’s brutal and most people don’t have what it takes to do it. Let alone wake up the next day and do it again.
We all know a 100 players who haven’t improved in 10-20 years. They play all the time. I guarantee you they don’t practice.