Earl :Just Plain Gifted

[Matt90]

In every sport there are those who practice ,practice ,practice and get to a high level of play but still do not possess that "something special" or are considered "gifted" .People can say what they want to say about his "antics",special cues, weights,and the whole nine yards .Make no mistake about it there are only a certian few people born with as much raw talent as Earl. Now that being said I would dare say alot of Earl's "antics" are WAY overstated because most players only wish they had that kind of raw talent.That's right I am calling a hater a hater.Earl is so far beyond most in his thinking about pool that some of us may never even see him truely appreciated in this life time.

 

[SLIM]

What makes you think you know so much?

have you ever been at one of earls matches when he is preforming his antics?

Slim

 

[beerpressure]

We really need all these earl threads merged into one all encompassing earl/shane thread.

 

[fcee06]

Matt I will concede that Earl is a one of the great pool players ever i believe. He has won countless championship around the world and on just about every stage. No one can argue that. I would really wait before I start breaking my hand patting him on the back. He beat one of pools best young stars on a gaffy 5x10 table. While felling and looking completely out of his element at times. He was never comfortable there and Earl like a true killer saw that and pounced as he should have done. I agree. A friend told me of a story once when he was in action years ago just over the border of el paso in mexico. He said hes playing a guy even that he should be giving well hell whatever he wanted and shouldnt win, except, everytime my friend got down to shoot he felt cold beer and empty beer bottles hitting him on the ankles and feet. He says he lost rather badly and paid off and got the hell up out of there. I know Earl did nothing like that but his behavior wasnt far from it. This sport has had a black eye in public opinion for many years now. There are many people with money to spend would love to see an image makeover for the game of pool. Seeing that display from a true champion is just not good for the much needed image makeover pool desparately needs. We can cheer our favorite player while at the same time holding them accountable when they disgrace the sport. Its not a matter of hating Earl to me I dont personally know him, I just see he actions and antics and am completely turned off by them as many others are as well. Just sayin.

Fc

 

[Matt90]

Yes and No

have you ever been at one of earls matches when he is preforming his antics?

Slim

Yes, I have watched Earl do things and rant on about stuff at alot of tournaments .Was I in the match with him ? No . If I was I would just know that's what he does.In fact I would consider it an honor to get to play Earl in a match antics or not.Next time I have the extra $$ I may go to NC and play in a Jacoby stop this year. Earl plays in alot of those stops .What a great and inexpensive way to get a match with a 5 time US open champ ,6 time World champ ,and now the undisputed 10 ft table KING !! Just a thought , we have people pull more moves and antics on our tuesday night TAP leauge here in Marietta ,GA than Earl does but it gets more notice and spotlight when Earl does it ......go figure.

 

[justnum]

I am for Earl, he is a great player and has a sense of humor.

As for internet criticisms, well most people are cheating "web analytics" programs that count posts about people or topics. And trying to boost stats for whatever is trying to be sold.

In short a bunch of Earl bashing may happen and nothing stirs up a good fight like some good mud slinging. Does it change how well Earl plays? No Earl plays and wins.

 

[SLIM]

yes, i have watched earl do things and rant on about stuff at alot of tournaments .was i in the match with him ? No . If i was i would just know that's what he does.in fact i would consider it an honor to get to play earl in a match antics or not.next time i have the extra $$ i may go to nc and play in a jacoby stop this year. Earl plays in alot of those stops .what a great and inexpensive way to get a match with a 5 time us open champ ,6 time world champ ,and now the undisputed 10 ft table king !! Just a thought , we have people pull more moves and antics on our tuesday night tap leauge here in marietta ,ga than earl does but it gets more notice and spotlight when earl does it ......go figure.

were you there or did you watch a video of earl in a match?

There is a big differance.

Slim

 

[Matt90]

gaffe or gaffy

Matt I will concede that Earl is a one of the great pool players ever i believe. He has won countless championship around the world and on just about every stage. No one can argue that. I would really wait before I start breaking my hand patting him on the back. He beat one of pools best young stars on a gaffy 5x10 table. While felling and looking completely out of his element at times. He was never comfortable there and Earl like a true killer saw that and pounced as he should have done. I agree. A friend told me of a story once when he was in action years ago just over the border of el paso in mexico. He said hes playing a guy even that he should be giving well hell whatever he wanted and shouldnt win, except, everytime my friend got down to shoot he felt cold beer and empty beer bottles hitting him on the ankles and feet. He says he lost rather badly and paid off and got the hell up out of there. I know Earl did nothing like that but his behavior wasnt far from it. This sport has had a black eye in public opinion for many years now. There are many people with money to spend would love to see an image makeover for the game of pool. Seeing that display from a true champion is just not good for the much needed image makeover pool desparately needs. We can cheer our favorite player while at the same time holding them accountable when they disgrace the sport. Its not a matter of hating Earl to me I dont personally know him, I just see he actions and antics and am completely turned off by them as many others are as well. Just sayin.

Fc

Gaffe or gaffy are just words people throw around to sound more intellegent than they really are :grin-square: . How about f'ed up ?? If the table was that bad for either player it would of been more of an issue. If you go into any pool room over 5 yrs old and pay close attention every table has "issues" A good player can adapt and overcome this while others will cry about it "I have done both If Earl's antics bother people let's really look at this . In every sport there are those who get a little overly passionate. I have seen top race car drivers jump out of the car and fight,top tennis players throw racquets,NBA players curse the audience, and so on. The higher you rise the more it hurts when you fail or fall short and some show this in emotional outburst . Is it the "correct" way to handle it .....maybe not. If any thing people LOVE to watch Earl because of his drive and passion and I think this is GOOD if not VERY GOOD for pool.

 

[Matt90]

I was there

were you there or did you watch a video of earl in a match?

There is a big differance.

Slim

Also in about at least 10-12 Jacoby stops I was doing the live streaming
Also have seen other players GO OFF for no reason on Earl because they were losing or got a bad roll.Earl took it on the chin and did not go on and on about them making moves or "antics"
I am from North Carolina , so just to really clarify this I watched Earl play the first time when I was 12 (LIVE) he had long hair and smilled ALOT more

 

[SLIM]

About earl

i have seen him in person myself, quite a few time.
He used to be a pleasure to watch.
He can stilL play great & i do mean great pool.
But what went on this weekend was not great pool.
Not that he did not play the game well, but his actions & alot of what he said to & about shane took away from the greatness of his game.
He has always been a complainer, but this went beyond that.
He insulted shane, the audience, his backers & anyone else he could think of.
It was very unfortunate.
Unless you were at this match you did not hear & see it all.
by the way i have been a fan of earls since the begining of his pro career.

SLIM

 

[wahcheck]

gifted but flawed

I do agree with your original post; all the negativity, sharking, antics aside;

The way that he shot on that 10-ft. table showed his gift even more than a 9-foot table would......He made tough long shots and runs like I have never seen anyone else do......I think the 10' table is from the old school era of pocket billiards, and Earl certainly had a taste and benefitted from that era.....

 

[fcee06]

Gaffe or gaffy are just words people throw around to sound more intellegent than they really are :grin-square: . How about f'ed up ?? If the table was that bad for either player it would of been more of an issue. If you go into any pool room over 5 yrs old and pay close attention every table has "issues" A good player can adapt and overcome this while others will cry about it "I have done both If Earl's antics bother people let's really look at this . In every sport there are those who get a little overly passionate. I have seen top race car drivers jump out of the car and fight,top tennis players throw racquets,NBA players curse the audience, and so on. The higher you rise the more it hurts when you fail or fall short and some show this in emotional outburst . Is it the "correct" way to handle it .....maybe not. If any thing people LOVE to watch Earl because of his drive and passion and I think this is GOOD if not VERY GOOD for pool.

There is one big and dramatic difference in the sports you mentioned and our sport. Those sports have multi million and in some cases billion dollar sponsorships! Its hard pressed to find a company that will inject 100k into pool. Why do you think that is? When we blindly follow those who continue punching in the eye the sport they claim to love and play better than most on the planet? I hope he continues his passion for the game while reforming his actions in the game. I think we can both agree that we would love to see these guys get paid for all the hard work they have put into perfecting their craft. Why would any network want to display an already tainted image sport on their network? Why would a billion dollar company pour money into a venture where they get nothing back in return. Im not saying Earls behavior is the reason, but I am saying that type of bahavior will definately keep them away. You personal think its very good for pool because you are an Earl fan, but its makes no business sense to invest a sport with a seedy past especially when you see the players living up to what is preceived to be true. Remember perception is ones reality, it doesnt necessarily have to be true if one preceives it to be true. Just saying.

FC

 

[Matt90]

well meaning BUT

I think there is ALOT to what you are saying and it is well meaning .Pool having a tainted or seedy image has nothing to do with how Earl behaves .Gambling going bad ,rough bars,and tainted or seedy people do .IMO Earl is neither tainted or seedy .He is a world class player who gets overly bent out of shape at times but ultimately wants what is best for pool. When two druged out players shoot it out in a bar over a match for less than $100 and a stray bullet hits a innocent by stander ......that's bad for pool.

 

[fcee06]

I think there is ALOT to what you are saying and it is well meaning .Pool having a tainted or seedy image has nothing to do with how Earl behaves .Gambling going bad ,rough bars,and tainted or seedy people do .IMO Earl is neither tainted or seedy .He is a world class player who gets overly bent out of shape at times but ultimately wants what is best for pool. When two druged out players shoot it out in a bar over a match for less than $100 and a stray bullet hits a innocent by stander ......that's bad for pool.

Im sorry but thats a totally different scenerio all together. Spectators and sponsors dont go to bars to watch to unknowns play. They tune in to live streams, and pay the door fees to watch the best of the best battle it out. So Earl is on stage in front of the people with that money and he behaves very unprofessionally. I dont think anyone would have a problem is it was just getting a lil bent out of shape, thats expected to a certain degree from any true competitor. But the name calling, the insults to the paying fans and spectator is what im referring to. Earl is a world class pool player that is not a question. But sadly no one has ever taken him to task on his conduct, mainly those who sponsor him. He can still make money so they will just make the money. Like I said before, I have seen this first hand here in dallas at a big tournament. Im not going on whats posted online, im speaking of first hand knowledge. I would just like to see the same level or respect for the people in and around the game that he has shown for the game itself. Im rooting a more passion and competitive professional earl. That is whats good for pool. Lastly for the record I dont think Earl is tainted or seedy, I personally think hes just flat out mean and rude to players and the fans and supporters of pool. The vast majority of people would probably agree. If you are a die hard Earl fan you will never see it like that and im not here to try and change your mind. Just giving my humble opinion on the matter as everyone else is.

FC

 

[franko]

At one time

In every sport there are those who practice ,practice ,practice and get to a high level of play but still do not possess that "something special" or are considered "gifted" .People can say what they want to say about his "antics",special cues, weights,and the whole nine yards .Make no mistake about it there are only a certian few people born with as much raw talent as Earl. Now that being said I would dare say alot of Earl's "antics" are WAY overstated because most players only wish they had that kind of raw talent.That's right I am calling a hater a hater.Earl is so far beyond most in his thinking about pool that some of us may never even see him truely appreciated in this life time.View attachment 175415

I agree with you to a certain extent.At one time Earl had the most physical talent on the planet. Now he HAS to revert to bush league antics to Shark his opponents. I have watched Earl in person for the last 16yrs. and he a shadow of his former self.I was in Youngstown last weekend.

 

[Johnny9]

In every sport there are those who practice ,practice ,practice and get to a high level of play but still do not possess that "something special" or are considered "gifted" .People can say what they want to say about his "antics",special cues, weights,and the whole nine yards .Make no mistake about it there are only a certian few people born with as much raw talent as Earl. Now that being said I would dare say alot of Earl's "antics" are WAY overstated because most players only wish they had that kind of raw talent.That's right I am calling a hater a hater.Earl is so far beyond most in his thinking about pool that some of us may never even see him truely appreciated in this life time.View attachment 175415

Very simply put, Earl gets more reaction from fans than anyone else in his sport. Couple that with the fact that the last few weeks have proven to us all here on AZ that there have been more posts related to his match with Shane and his "antics", and upcoming matches, than ever recorded here on any subject. Bottom line, love or hate, respect or not, we watch, and we will continue to watch Earl more than any other, until he can no longer lift a cuestick. The talent is still there. The focus on occasion , is not.

 

[KRJ]

Hmmm

There is one big and dramatic difference in the sports you mentioned and our sport. Those sports have multi million and in some cases billion dollar sponsorships! Its hard pressed to find a company that will inject 100k into pool. Why do you think that is? When we blindly follow those who continue punching in the eye the sport they claim to love and play better than most on the planet? FC

Dude, really ??

Yeah, it's Earls fault pool is in its current state, and can't be part of olympics, or get TV rights, or get sponsors, or get fans interested......

The NFL has this;

1. murderers
2. rapists
3. burglars
4. wife beaters
5. drug users
6. drug sellers
7. drug parties
8. hookers
9. gun toting thugs
10. Guy who drowned DOGS !!!!!

Yet, some how the NFL is a multi BILLION dollar business, sponsors galore, packed stadiums, guys earning 20 MIL per year, but Earl is holding pool back.. puhlease

Earl looks like a catholic school girl compared to this motley crew of NFL players or even compared to Charlie Sheen who was making $2M per week!

Again, all the knockers on Earl have yet to come on here on previous posts and state emphatically they will never watch and/or support the NFL, NBA or CBS again......hmmmmm ?? Indeed !!

 

[oldroller]

Gifted

Yeah i'd say he's gifted.In a sad sorta way

 

[Roadking]

I was there this weekend

This might stir the pot!
I don't remember who said it but "Earl is his own worst enemy"
I think if not for all Earls cry baby drama he would have beat Shane by more than '17'
No disrespect to Shane...
But if Earl could zone in LOOK OUT!!! He might be unstopable.
Just my opinion(which means nothing)