Did SVB do the C word?

[Fatboy]

itsa race to 100, alex came back from behind and won, it dosent mean anything other than he got there first. And choking is a single event like missing a hanger hill/hill-having a lead swing in a monster race inst choking. Shane played great, he did get a bit soft down the streach but hell it can and does happen to anybody from time to time, it just is more noticable when a player like Shane does because its a rare thing-if I did it or another regular player it aint news.


what I'd like to see is the total games won and lost between them since the Derby, thats a close gap for sure. When the gap is close it isnt a choke. Shane beat him at the DCC by a hand full of games and lost by a couple at JOB's, then last nights score added in its real close. Shane has been playing alot to and was perhaps mentally tired. I'm ov the opinion this game is about as close to even as possible, back in the days of raes to 11 you wouldnt see near as much pool and would have an opinion, even a 10 ahead set dosent show what these long races have showed us about them. Good for Alex last night but the line on them playing again is even, Shane aint the dog or the favorite.

 

[roosterman]

I dont necesarrily think that SVB was "supposed to win". I mean Alex has been a solid and dangerous player for years now. He knows what it takes to win and that is what makes him a champ. Alex is also the only player thus far that has kept nipping at the heels of SVB in these tournies. That kind of "never say die" would get to anyone....except Tiger Woods. JMO.

Southpaw

I agree and i'm not just saying it because Alex won.Those safties that Alex was laying down would make anybody dog it.

 

[Luxury]

I was apalled when Shane made that silly scratch in the side pocket. He caught the ball before it fell in the side and literally spiked it straight down on the table and the cue bounced at least a foot in the air.

That is the first time I've seen the mature and modest Shane show his 24 year old age. When I was 24 I was cocky and completely out of control. Made Tom Cruise in COM look like Wally Cleaver.

 

[Poolhalljunkie]

really unless I am off on the count Shane paid ALEX with his own money after the DCC and a few more sets in Nashville. Shane was still ahead in the $$$.

Alex kept it close despite Shane's good rolls (approx. 70% of the good rolls in the match went Shane's way). IMO Shane C and because of that he is now officially Alex's B..

 

[branpureza]

It's completely irrelevant if Alex played better at the end.

the issue up for discussion is whether shane started to choke and dog shots to close the match out. Alex is a great great player, but he's not so much better than Shane that he can overcome the huge deficit he faced without a little help from Shane starting to dog a few shots.

Alex played great and I agree with you about his heart. It was out of this world.

But Shane will be kicking himself because he had this game well within reach, and he did choke.

It'll probably mess with his head for a little while, but he be back i think.

Do some people not understand that most choking occurs when the other player is shooting the lights out? There is a direct correlation there...

How in the world could Alex's play be irrelevant to Shane's choking? Do you honestly think Shane would have dogged it as bad if he didn't feel the pressure from Alex's awesome play?

I'm starting to wonder if some people on this forum have ever competed in pool or even picked up a cue for that matter...

 

[xianmacx]

Do some people not understand that most choking occurs when the other player is shooting the lights out? There is a direct correlation there...

How in the world could Alex's play be irrelevant to Shane's choking? Do you honestly think Shane would have dogged it as bad if he didn't feel the pressure from Alex's awesome play?

I'm starting to wonder if some people on this forum have ever competed in pool or even picked up a cue for that matter...

Post of the week. Rep for this one.

Choking is a by-product of feeling pressure. I have never once dogged it when the other guy was not firing back at me. Thats what makes you choke, realizing there is a possibilty that you may not win.

Shane is used to getting up 15 games and never looking back. Shane is not used to his opponents fading his his leads and asking for more. Corey and Earl should take a lesson from Alex about not giving up. I have never seem anyone fade heat like Alex. I watched him play bartrum for about 110 hours in one week, he has unlimited heart.

 

[Terry Ardeno]

Terry, did you watch the match? esp the last 30 racks? Shane's wheels came right off at the end. He missed all kinds of shots and position he was easily executing earlier on in the match when Alex was not putting so much pressure on him. That last shot he missed that is up on Youtube is very much like the one he missed that I described earlier in this thread. Where I come from they call that DOGGING IT.

Dave,
No, I did not see the match. My assessment is based on what I've seen of SVB over the last several years.

I was going to say something really bright, like, for example, does anybody think that the New England Patriots would ever "choke" in a big game, or, would they just end up being outplayed. There is a difference. But then, I remembered you're only as good as your last game. (See NY Giants)

Still, I have to go with my original thoughts...that he just got outplayed by the better player that session.

If anybody starts a poll here on whether SVB choked or not, put me down for a "No" vote.

If he does this match after match after session after challenge match now and forever more, then yea, I'll say he's developed a chicken bone in his throat.

I will say that this whole thread, with maybe one or two exceptions, has had some really good insights on both sides of this debate. I'm very much enjoying listening to how everybody else sees this.

How great would it be if the "South Dakota Kid" himself chimes in here and let's us know exactly what was going on that last day!

 

[Terry Ardeno]

Post of the week. Rep for this one.

Choking is a by-product of feeling pressure. I have never once dogged it when the other guy was not firing back at me. Thats what makes you choke, realizing there is a possibilty that you may not win.

Shane is used to getting up 15 games and never looking back. Shane is not used to his opponents fading his his leads and asking for more. Corey and Earl should take a lesson from Alex about not giving up. I have never seem anyone fade heat like Alex. I watched him play bartrum for about 110 hours in one week, he has unlimited heart.

Xianmacx,
Your post is also a noteworthy one, with some real good points made.

I want to also point out that their match unfolded just about how you predicted it would in the PM's. Good job there as well.

One point I'll disagree with you on is that Earl in his prime would NEVER give up. Even though I would say he is a first rate front runner (pours it on real heavy when ahead), he NEVER stopped trying. The last few years, I'll agree that he seems to totally lose interest in the match & give up if he doesn't feel like the balls are going his way.

Corey & Alex used to be road partners. How would you like to be the guys who saw them two sauntering in your local pool room, looking like they had homework due? Then, lights OUT!

Coery seemed "hungrier" when he was coming up.

As for Alex dealing with the pressure & not folding, I agree that I have never seen any quit at all in him. Alex has one of the best mindsets & attitudes in big time pool today.

I would also add Jose Parica, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall, Mike Sigel, Jim Rempe, Ronnie Alcano, Ralf Souquet, Oliver Ortmann, Keith McCready & Scotty Townsend to the list of elite players with super-heart under pressure.

 

[xianmacx]

Xianmacx,
Your post is also a noteworthy one, with some real good points made.

I want to also point out that their match unfolded just about how you predicted it would in the PM's. Good job there as well.

One point I'll disagree with you on is that Earl in his prime would NEVER give up. Even though I would say he is a first rate front runner (pours it on real heavy when ahead), he NEVER stopped trying. The last few years, I'll agree that he seems to totally lose interest in the match & give up if he doesn't feel like the balls are going his way.

Corey & Alex used to be road partners. How would you like to be the guys who saw them two sauntering in your local pool room, looking like they had homework due? Then, lights OUT!

Coery seemed "hungrier" when he was coming up.

As for Alex dealing with the pressure & not folding, I agree that I have never seen any quit at all in him. Alex has one of the best mindsets & attitudes in big time pool today.

I would also add Jose Parica, Nick Varner, Buddy Hall, Mike Sigel, Jim Rempe, Ronnie Alcano, Ralf Souquet, Oliver Ortmann, Keith McCready & Scotty Townsend to the list of elite players with super-heart under pressure.

Thanks for the reply Terry,

I have only been around pool for about 12 years and unfortunately Earl only had a few more years of his top gear. I wish Earl was coming up in my generation as I can only imagine what he would do to some of todays players when he was firing on all cylinders. I think it is very sad watching any athlete battle through those declining years. All said, there is no player I would rather watch than Earl.

 

[The Beginner]

really unless I am off on the count Shane paid ALEX with his own money after the DCC and a few more sets in Nashville. Shane was still ahead in the $$$.

I think Alex is ahead on the $$$ ...Alex beat SVB 4 sets during the World pool master according to him

 

[jimmy-leggs]

All I say is Alex is a MONSTER.......To come back from almost a 30 game swing.WOW.Congrats Alex.

 

[alstl]

I would chalk it up to fatigue instead of choking.

 

[Jimmy M.]

Shane seems to be a bit off lately. Got beat in china, lost first round in world pool masters, now lost the alex match and missed some shots he shouldnt miss.

Perhaps it's the changing of cues? Hes no longer using the diveney.

No one seemed to think he was off on the 2nd day when he put down an 8-pack and it seemed that his victory was inevitable.

Nothing was given to Alex in this match.

 

[Joe Rogan]

I think it's quite obvious that Shane didn't play up to his ability.
That could very well have been because he was responding to Alex's pressure, or it could be that he faded because it was such a long match and he simply got tired, and or didn't eat properly.

I think instead of focusing on the negative, we should all focus on the positive; Alex's incredible play and composure coming from way behind against one of the best players in the world.
It was an incredible performance, and I for one feel very fortunate to have watched it live on the internet!

Long live the action report!

 

[ledrums]

I am a Shane fan myself, but Alex beat him. Pure and simple. Congrats to Alex and I look forward to the rubber match

 

[Luxury]

I am a Shane fan myself, but Alex beat him. Pure and simple. Congrats to Alex and I look forward to the rubber match

I look forward to the rubber match as well. It should be highly anticipated. See my interview transcript thread I just started.

 

[predator]

Some say "Shane missed shots he wouldn't normally have". Well, I think it is very normal to miss a few big ones when somebody like Alex puts a heat on you like that.

 

[The Beginner]

I think it's quite obvious that Shane didn't play up to his ability.
That could very well have been because he was responding to Alex's pressure, or it could be that he faded because it was such a long match and he simply got tired, and or didn't eat properly.
I think instead of focusing on the negative, we should all focus on the positive; Alex's incredible play and composure coming from way behind against one of the best players in the world.
It was an incredible performance, and I for one feel very fortunate to have watched it live on the internet!

Long live the action report!

I think that's that most lame excuses why he lost to Alex...When SVB beat Corey and Strickland on the same race he never get tired even its a long match...why can we just accept that he was beatin by ALEX plane and simple and he CHOCKED because when Alex going full blast on him ...he was probably shocked when and panicking when Alex is catching up......and Alex is a better player between the 2 for now