My bad, old thread, I'm killing.
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I agree with you. Earl adds some flare to a pool tournament whether you agree with him or his actions or not and that's why his matches always have the largest crowds. When he's on nobody can play better, but when he's not focused he lose to lesser players and i've seen both sides of Earl's game. I'd hate to go to the US Open and find out that Earl wasn't there. It would just take something away from the excitement of the tournament.jjollie said:I know alot of people don't like Earl. I do agree he has some behavior problems but HE is the greatest pool player alive in my opinion. He can make ANYTHING and has nerves of steel and there is NO ONE more exciting to watch play than EARL STRICKLAND...period !!!
I just wonder what other AZ members think of Earl.
shinyballs said:I couldn't agree more.
JAM, I read this thread and am shocked....
JAM said:And I am shocked that this thread has resurfaced.
I took a little hiatus after this thread.
PLEASE READ THE DATE OF THE LAST POST BEFORE TODAY's DATE.
JAM
I_Need_D_8 said:
Smorgass Bored said:JAM also said:
I think I'll go join the rest of the American pool players over at PokerStars. I sure as hell see more of them over there than I do on AzBilliards Discussion Forum. I wonder why!
JAM
More importantly is, how'd you do on Poker Stars during your absence ?
Doug
( I'm 'even', but I was 'even' before I started )
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JAM said:Americans rooting for foreign aliens instead of an American is why pool sucks in the U.S.
Franky said:I assume that your definition of "pool sucking" is the fact that there's hardly any money in professional pool. If that's what you meant, well, its not the fault of American pool players who like to see guys like Efren smile infectiously and say "I got lucky".
Its easy to point fingers when you feel you've been wronged. Its takes a bit more courage to analyze the facts of the situation and see that pool is simply not popular enough for professionals to earn golf-type money. There are many reasons its not popular. Avid pool fans liking Efren or Thorsten is not one of them.
Franky said:heh. I like Efren!
Jerry Yost said:How about a voting option for:
Continues to try a come back and becomes more and more frustrated with his inability to compete at an elite level subsequently becoming delusional, depressed and psychotic, eventually being institutionalized after attempting to choke himself to death in a seedy motel room in Chesapeake Virginia......I guess that would be too long.
Hierovision said:I'm not a basher of Earl... but in response to all the blind support: I would quit playing him if he went on one of his tirades while I was his opponent. The things he has done are way beyond inappropriate and deserve a lot of the ridicule he has received. You can raise him up on a pedestal because he's an American Pool Player and the sad state of American Pool Players means we should forgive everything he does... or you can hold him accountable like any decent human being.
I plan on getting to the top of American pool one day, but I don't expect to be able to act like a complete asshole and get away with it once I've been there. Personal problems are just that... personal. Keep them to yourself in a professional setting. There's a time and place for everything, and a pool tournament is NOT the place to blow up.
I hope when I make it that no matter what I can show a high minimum standard of respect for all my opponents so that people in the pool world will think "that looks like fun" instead of "wow I'd hate to play that guy".
It seems he's doing better recently and that is a VERY good thing for American pool. He is a central figure in our sport... I just hope his past tirades don't discourage potential sponsors and networks.
After all is said, I think he deserves a few more chances because of the overwhelming positive influence he has had in the past... but I would expect any responsible person to let someone know when they are acting inappropriate. And I would expect any ref worth his pay to take appropriate action during a match.
JAM said:And so do I. Never said I didn't. In fact, the only pool player I have ever allowed to stay at my home is Jose Parica, and guess what, he ain't an American.
I have many good friends who are foreign pool players, which has NOTHING whatsoever to do with my stance on rooting for the hometeam.
Personally, I do not enjoy robotic pool. There are Americans who show no emotion when they compete. It is a style thing. I happen to be an American who desires pool to elevate in the States. I believe that pool, as it is currently showcased on television in America, is not helping pool attract non-pool-related sponsors to invest sorely needed monies into the sport.
And again, as an American pool enthusiast, I will root for American players at the U.S. Open. What a pity there ain't a European Open or an Asian-Pacific Islander Open that can even compare to the U.S. Open, but it is what it is. When foreign players compete in the U.S. Open, as an American, I will pull for the American to win it, just like American John Schmidt did last year. If you have a problem with that, then that is your problem, not mine.
JAM