I see the MC as a made-4-tv exhibition. I don't put much stock in races-to-5 on what's usually a gaffy table. We have not done worth a damn in this format and there's multiple reasons why. I've seen the Euros at DCC and yes they are are great players but not some kind of unbeatable supermen.
Dechaine just chopped up Busty, but he's not even considered for MC.
- Thread starter iusedtoberich
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No, we haven't. Compared to 30 years ago, no one gambles in the U.S. any more.
Wow... What an accomplishment. Busty is in his 60's, I think? And Mike is in his 20's, early 30's?
Mike Dechaine is nothing special on the world scene. He'll likely never win a U.S. Open. He's got a break like Shane. but he doesn't have all the rest, including mental toughness.
Been to New Orleans, LA lately? Obviously not.
I think Mike DeChaine is one of the few top players that could easily improve with a simple fundamental change -- stop creeping up on every shot. If I saw that as a coach I would be salivating. If he eliminated that alone his "mental game" would improve immediately.
He actually is special! The guy has an amazingly powerful stroke.
He actually is special! The guy has an amazingly powerful stroke.
No doubt. La. probably has more action than all the rest of the country combined.
They gambling with all comers, without checking IDs, the way they did prior to the cell phone?
Or are they all just gambling big with people they know the exact speed of?
No exactly the same as things were back in the day.
Texas may also be a hot bed, last time I was at a White Diamonds tourney many of the guys that were putting up big $$$ were from the Lone star state.
Some in Houston but not much overall. Dallas is deader than HulaHoop. Don't know about Austin/SA area.
This is certainly true at the macro or global level but boy how I wish it were true here in the U.S. I think humans continually improve in just about any endeavor AS LONG AS the carrot is tasty enough. Here in the U.S., for the past 20 years or so, guys have really only been playing for either the love of the game, or they were just chasing some cash. So the evolution of the game has certainly taken a sabbatical here in the states.
Globally, anybody that's been paying even a little bit of attention knows today's top players do everything better than those from the past, with the minor exception being running balls at 14.1 but that goes back to the whole carrot thingy. I used to think Mike Sigel had the most picture perfect fundamentals and now I'll sit back and watch some of his old matches and I can't believe how often that cue of his goes flying off to the side. His technique would be pretty questionable by today's standards.
For a more dramatic example of how quickly fundamentals have improved compare today's crop of Filipino players to yesterday's. Efren, Bustamante, Parica, Luat, and company all had wonky cue actions. In comparison Orcullo has such a tight cueing motion and remains as still as can be. Now comes James Aranas and he practically plays with a snooker technique.
The bottom line is -- the top dogs today ALL cue better than yesterday's players.
You are correct CJ cant wear a fake mustache and glasses and rob the place much harder to steal now ,, it aint a gamble if you know your stealing
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They only appeared to cue so well because the pockets were the size of the Grand Canyon.
And.. There is not as much free money to be gambled away as in years past.. Without that easy money to go after, there is no incentive for the cream to rise to the top.
You hear plenty of stories of road players having a house bought and paid for, supporting a family for 30+ years, and sending multiple kids to school. Absolutely impossible these days.
There is simply no monetary incentive for young people with good hand-eye coordination to take up the game. And the U.S. doesn't have the Bundesliga type system to make up the difference, the way Europe does.
Europe has a culture of supporting ALL sports pursuits in a structured way, and the laws are structured in such a way as to support this. Pretty much every pool/snooker club in Germany has a cheap liquor license, to be able to support themselves. This, again, is impossible in America due to burdensome laws.
Far more cues today that hit a ton too.
Did you ever see Buddy or Earl or Sigel in their prime? Buddy, unless cheating it, would WEAR-OUT the center of the pocket. As did Earl, Sigel, Keith. Great players, of ANY era, would have adapted to whatever equipment was used. You think that Bobby Jones wouldn't have kicked ass today with modern golf equipment? Would Rod Laver have adapted and probably dominated with today's goofy-ass big rackets? Of course he would. I just don't get the thought process that arrives with "Those older era players would have gotten their asses handed to them by today's players". Its ridiculous.
Justin Bergman opted not be considered for Mosconi Cup selection.
So...you think a pro football team from the 1950's, with their 175 lb. linebackers, their 225 lb. linemen, with the fastest player on the team running a 4.8 40-yard dash could stand up to today's teams that have 275-300 lb. linemen that can do a 40-yard dash around 4.6? Heck, there are running backs and tight ends today that are as big as some of yesteryears biggest linemen.
If you think the teams from that era could hang with today's teams, even with new, modern equipment, then you are fooling yourself or just being plain-ol' hardheaded.
Heck...even today's Cleveland Browns could manage a winning season against the best 1950's team. :thumbup:
Maniac
Last time i checked today's pool players are about the size as they've always been. I never compared pool players to football or other team sports so don't try putting words in my mouth. This all got started by someone saying that current pool players would "hand their asses" to an older era one. I find the statement ridiculous especially when it comes from people who never saw them play except on a video here and there. The top players of the 70's-'80's would be top players in any era.
I think the current 9 and 10 ball players would beat the players of the 70s and 80s, 90s, 6 times out of 10. There was no one like Shaw or Melling or SVB back then. I think there was a top player that was around in the age of Buddy, Sigel, Strickland, Efren that said in a commentary that he though the modern players are better.
Just the racking change to making sure the rack is tight and where to hit the rack and how is a huge difference. 20,30 years ago people won 2-3 games a set by making the 9 on the break or leaving it in the jaws for an easy combo because no one looked for gaps.