Scott Lee said:These threads tend to get out of hand, imo. I'm an American through and through, yet I respect the sport, and any player, from ANY country, who can play my sport at the highest levels. I agree, in principle, that it would be nice if sportsmanship were better controlled. However...at the same time, there is a valid reason that the Phillipine players are the best on Earth. They "shark" each other mercilessly on a daily basis...and the best players continue to play well regardless. I believe, as was mentioned earlier, that if you cannot master the mental side of the game (and that includes blocking out sharking), you will not excel at the highest levels. All of the players exhibit the same ability (or lack thereof on occasion). It's those who have the ability to keep their minds clear that rise to the top, on a given day. Any kind of sharking behavior, by fan or player, is a poor substitute for good sportsmanship...but be that as it may, the BEST players must rise above it all, and do what their inner minds know that they're able to do. Here's the ultimate bottom line...When you're at the table, nothing and nobody can keep you from performing at your peak...except yourself.
Even though Team America did not win this time, I still am proud of each and every one of them, as representatives of our sport, for our country. To Team Europe, I say congratulations...and WATCH OUT next year!![]()
Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com
TAP, TAP, TAP!!!