Earl Strikland

Pangit

Pangit

Banned
What's to like about him? He used to be able to play pool. He's pretty much the "Clowned Prince of Pool". He throw's a big time red-ass when things don't go his way.

I certainly wouldn't consider him a pool idol. There are PLENTY of world class pool players that play with respect to choose from.

He has been good for TV ratings. But if I could choose a team of world class pool players. He wouldn't be on it...too much drama... Abba..dancing Queen.
 
He used to be able to play pool? What's to like about him? Apparently you didn't see the gear he caught on the ten footer when he ran over Shane making the table look like a bar box.

I have never been so entertained by pool skills alone. Never seen that much talent displayed. That's what I like about him.
 
Luxury said:
He used to be able to play pool? What's to like about him? Apparently you didn't see the gear he caught on the ten footer when he ran over Shane making the table look like a bar box.

I have never been so entertained by pool skills alone. Never seen that much talent displayed. That's what I like about him.
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I got to agree. The last 10 racks or so had to be seen to be believed.

I can't wait for the new Diamond 10 ft table and the rematch with Shane. That's going to be something special for sure.
 
What's to like about him? Well, he's probably the greatest pool player that ever walked the earth. Fantastic shot making, perfect position play, outstanding safety play, you name it and Earl has it. You should watch him play and then you'd know the answer to your question.
 
Pangit said:
What's to like about him? He used to be able to play pool. He's pretty much the "Clowned Prince of Pool". He throw's a big time red-ass when things don't go his way.

I certainly wouldn't consider him a pool idol. There are PLENTY of world class pool players that play with respect to choose from.

He has been good for TV ratings. But if I could choose a team of world class pool players. He wouldn't be on it...too much drama... Abba..dancing Queen.
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I think your best point is, he has had a tendency to flame out when things don't go his way.

He has had some great points over the years. People are too busy watching how crazy he is to even listen -- but it's true, he is kinda crazy. He used to lose it in big LA tournaments, his contention was people would bet against him, and then purposefully try to shark him during the match. I'm sure this was true.

Anyway, the one thing I will say about him after watching pool for 20 years... I dont think I have EVER, EVER watched a nine ball player and just KNEW for an ABSOLUTE fact that they were going to get out as many times as I have with him. It's like you just know when you watch him racks are over. There aint gonna be no little mistakes or misstrokes, or freaky missed balls, he just doesn't do it very often at all. And he almost was a one hole champ... i mean you gotta love the guy :)
 
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Earl is one of the best players of all-tme, end of story.

However, the question of whether this makes his often deviant behavior acceptable is one that AZB form memmbers have debated for years.

I've always been on the side of the fence that says that his playing excellence in no way excuses his disrespectful behavior of his peers and of fans who attend pool tournaments.

In fairness to Earl, though, men's pool in recent decades does not have a history of disciplining players that behave inappropriately, so little has been done to make Earl calm down.

He's one of the few guys I can think of that I respect and disrespect.

That said, I'd love to see him snap off a significant title, just as he very nearly did in the 2011 Derby City One pocket event, where he lost double hill in the final to Shane, done in by a bad roll in the final rack.

Wishing Earl every success in competition.
 
Earl is one of the best ever. Yes he does act a little strange at times.Now with that being said I saw him put on an exhibition here in Denver and he was funny and entertaining.My being from the Northeast I played and know a lot of players that Earl knows and I got to talk with him for about 10 minutes on people we both knew.He was just as normal as anyone and we had a nice conversation.
 
Pangit said:
What's to like about him? He used to be able to play pool. He's pretty much the "Clowned Prince of Pool". He throw's a big time red-ass when things don't go his way.

I certainly wouldn't consider him a pool idol. There are PLENTY of world class pool players that play with respect to choose from.

He has been good for TV ratings. But if I could choose a team of world class pool players. He wouldn't be on it...too much drama... Abba..dancing Queen.
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Kind of like a dancing troll who creates a brand-new thread every morning on topics aimed to irritate. I know what you mean.
 
here's my take on it, Earl is not only good for TV, but he's the type of man we need for our game to jump to another level, I wish we have more of him, if we ever want to be as big as tennis or golf, and here's why.

he has the ability to pull the crowd, people might not notice it, but he just has that factor, not only pool players/lovers, but also non-pool players, for instance - whenever I put Earl Strickland on the family tv room, my family and uncle would sit and watch him, they don't know pool, they don't know him, they just sit and watch, enjoyed the match, they want to her what would he say next, or do, and they also enjoy his fine play, after that match I put on a Ralf match (No disrespect intended) but all of them left the sofa and off to do something else, in reality Ralf is boring to them, and to any non-pool player.

a guy who doesn't know pool would never watch that type of character, slow, always quiet, turn around the table a million times, again no offense, but this isn't what pool needs to jump to higher level in terms of money/audience.

Not all tennis audience/crowd play tennis, they once start going to watch some crazy characters back in the 80s, can't remember the names, we need that.
 
Pangit said:
What's to like about him? He used to be able to play pool. He's pretty much the "Clowned Prince of Pool". He throw's a big time red-ass when things don't go his way.

I certainly wouldn't consider him a pool idol. There are PLENTY of world class pool players that play with respect to choose from.

He has been good for TV ratings. But if I could choose a team of world class pool players. He wouldn't be on it...too much drama... Abba..dancing Queen.
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EARL is EARL, been that way all his life.goes nuts when hey plays and is fun to hang with when not playing.you cant beat him and never will come close.you take your jealous ways and shot them as criticism, keep them to your self.

bill
 
Even with his game and demeanor at it's current state, ANY player in the world would like to avoid having to play him. He is still a threat to snap off any tournament!

If he was in his prime at this moment, there's maybe but a couple of current players that would even come close to his top gear.
 
He throw's a big time red-ass
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Let me tells ya, it takes a big man to throw a Red - Ass and it takes an even bigger one to do a cross bank with one.

If I had a fraction of Earl's talent, I can't tell you how happy I would be.
 
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Did anyone see the Strickland vs Parica match at Amsterdam Billiards?

Earl makes the game of pool seem so easy. He just cruises around the table making shot after shot and takes no time in doing it. He is amazing!

He gets my vote for best ever. As far as his demeanor goes, I think some in the crowd try and get on him just to try and rile him up. This is unfortunate if it does happen. Leave the guy alone and just marvel in how he plays the game. I just wish I had 1/10 of the ability that this man has.

Give me the choice of going to watch any player anywhere in the world play and I would choose Earl over anyone else.

Earl, if you are listening, just keep doing what you do, because some of us really admire your talent and are real appreciative and enjoy watching you. I can't thank you enough!!!!
 
Earl plays great game and is entertaining. Don’t know anyone who doesn’t like to watch his best game.
When he goes off the deep end and his demons takeover he personifies the worst attributes of a player.
He is a great champion, probably not as bad of a guy as it sometimes looks.

However, imagine someone of lesser skill in your pool hall going off the way he does.
Many people would be scared that he would snap and attack.
Others would refuse to play with him because of the tension and drama.
Somebody would put him down sooner or later.
 
Pangit said:
What's to like about him? He used to be able to play pool. He's pretty much the "Clowned Prince of Pool". He throw's a big time red-ass when things don't go his way.

I certainly wouldn't consider him a pool idol. There are PLENTY of world class pool players that play with respect to choose from.

He has been good for TV ratings. But if I could choose a team of world class pool players. He wouldn't be on it...too much drama... Abba..dancing Queen.
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If I were to put together a board of directors to represent the control and interest of the Professional pool players of today, EARL would be on that board for sure, reguardless of what anyone thinks of him. Earl DOES have the best interests of this sport at heart!

Glen, the "Realkingcobra"
 
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