ESPN Men's Skins Game Schedule

[vagabond]

Well, hello, Vagabond! Keith disappointed you, and you've disappointed me.



My bubble is burst, but not my spirit.

JAM

Hi JAM,
My comment did not intend to hurt your feelings or anyone here.I was saying that Keith is a very talented man and I did not see the full display of his talent.When I said that it looked like hustling it was said in a figurative sense and it was NOT meant to say that combo was a INTENTIONAL miss.Cheers
Vagabond

 

[JAM]

Hey, Nifty, hope you're well. Nifty, it was a ridiculous choice, and Allen Hopkins made it clear he thought so, too. The only ball that wasn't out in the middle of the table was the six, which sat along the long rail a few inches above the side, but far enough from the side that it didn't seem to present a significant problem. The balls were spread out wide, and most accompished playrs would have called it a dead out. I don't agree with you that it looked like Keith was shooting great. Twice, he jumped up to hand Rodney a rack, and he had several uncharacteristic mistakes. I will, however, say this. Keith was the single most entertaining player on the entire telecast of the skins game, the one guy who showed his emotions and interacted considerably with the crowd and with his fellow competitors. If they do another one of these, Keith should be invited back, because he brings fun to the event. Keith is good TV.

SJM, when I saw Keith go for the 2-9 combo and miss, I thought he should have run the easy out instead, too. Actually, I thought the 8-ball Keith missed in the side pocket at the end of the match, which would have halted Hohmann's third win for a skin, was the low point of Keith's performance. He must have felt strongly about it, too, because he wrote an article, "Here's the Skinny," for the January edition of InsidePOOL, in an effort to share some lessons learned.

Reading through the various posts on pool-related websites about this event, the center of attention seems to be focused on Earl not calling a foul on himself, Mitch Laurence's style of commentary, Keith's missed shots, Larry Nevel's amateur status, and the suggestion by one veteran poster who states assuredly that because of the amount of money on the table that there were savers, business games, and dumps.

Maybe I do see life through a pair of rose-colored sunglasses, but I came away from the Skins Billiards Championship with a much different opinion than most of the views I've read since the show aired on ESPN.

I saw this event as a breakthrough and a good platform to show pool at its finest. It was exciting to see Rodney Morris smiling from ear to ear as he performed before a packed house, with his lady beaming with pride in the gallery. The look on Niels Fiejen's face as he sat alongside the table, hoping for an opportunity to get another shot, right before his big win was priceless. You could actually see the adrenalin in Niels rising to a fever pitch, his eyes focused on that table, breathing heavily on the sidelines with anticipation, his heart pumping, hoping for another shot. How about Charlie Williams' performance at the Skins event!? He was cool as a cucumber, but when push came to shove, the Korean Dragon came through with flying colors! And I gotta say something about Canadian Luc "Machine Gun" Salvas. His lightning quick style of play never disappoints me, win or lose.

All in all, I think the Skins Billiards Championship was a success, but I've gotta admit, I am a little miffed the day after to read a majority of the comments focussing on the negatives. I was hoping that when this event made its debut, that others would enjoy it as much as I did. I think it was a good exhibition of pool at its finest, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. The worst agony for me, harder to swallow than Keith losing, is reading the negative thoughts and opinions the morning after.

JAM

 

[Rude Dog]

Actually, I thought the 8-ball Keith missed in the side pocket at the end of the match, which would have halted Hohmann's third win for a skin, was the low point of Keith's performance. He must have felt strongly about it, too, because he wrote an article, "Here's the Skinny," for the January edition of InsidePOOL, in an effort to share some lessons learned.











JAM

JAM, and Keith, I must appologize because I'm guilty also. I posted a question to Keith in the "Ask the pros" about the choice to shoot the combination instead of running out. I know Keith very well, better than most in this forum, and I felt that I could ask this question in a positive way to help others if they question themselves after a loss. I should have included the shot on the 8 in the side too because that was just as big as the combination. Again, I apologize, I could have focused on the positives of what the skins game has brought to the table for pool as a whole. I watched the entire show with my wife and told her about every player and I think she enjoyed it more than any other event we've watched together. When she saw Rodneys wife, Sheina, praying and talking to herself, she told me that's how she is when she watches me play. When she saw Keith, she asked me who he was and after telling her a few things about him, she was rooting for him and Rodney the whole way. Jam, you and Keith bring more to this forum than anyone, please don't let this negativity stop you from doing so in the future. Peace, John.

 

[cheesemouse]

The worst agony for me, harder to swallow than Keith losing, is reading the negative thoughts and opinions the morning after.

JAM

JAM,

I think your and Keiths appearance here and on the AZ forums are breaths of fresh air. You in particular, with your sincere nature, joined with the for real fact that you are sitting there pulling for Keith to do well while at the same time wishing, in earnest, no misfortune for the other contestants is no joke. Your authority of the subject matter comes thru in your writing style. I can't remember a post you've made that didn't have the flavor of a good old 'heart to heart'. Having that kind of writing talent is rare on these pool forums...out comes your sincerity. You do have an advantage over the negative bomb throwers though and that is your sleeping with Keith...LOL

JAM, there is no reason what so ever for you to listen to my advise so I won't give any. I will offer some perspective however...the people who regularly frequent these pool forums are a minority within a minority. Every animal in the small kingdom drinks from these watering holes. Some can't run THREE FRICKIN BALLS, as one of the 'x' posters used to point out with regularity...LOL...some are quite accomplished at the game, some only come once, some won't go away, but generally most fall into a routine of good natured give and take....According to the law of large numbers we here, in combination, don't amount to the preverbal gnat.

There, I hope that brightened your day....

 

[OldHasBeen]

Imo - Skins Is A Bigtime Winner.

I think I enjoyed the skins game last night more than any pool event I have ever seen on TV. I say that in spite of the commentary that was a distraction again instead of a much needed part of the entertainment.

For anyone to second guess the shots by the players is rediculous. Unless you have been there & done that, you shouldn't try to Monday Morning Quarterback the players or their shots. Either enjoy the show or use your remote control. Another option would for you to ask for a refund of all monies paid to ESPN and a garentee that all future shots must be approved by you before each player shoots. From this OldHasBeen's perspective - Grady, Keith. etc., is just what the game needs. As I watched the games last night, I commented to another player at the poolroom - "When the Banner Ads you see aroung the tables start reading Budweiser & Nike instead of just pool related companies" (no knocking & Thank God for them) - "Pool will finnally have evolved".

Not being a golfer, I really never understood the concept of a "Skins" game before last night. I now think it is the best way for 4 or 5 pool players to compete. Much better than a "Ring" game. So much so, that I am going to try to get a "Skins" game going tonight at the poolroom.

TY & GL

 

[nfty9er]

All is well sjm

Hey, Nifty, hope you're well. Nifty, it was a ridiculous choice, and Allen Hopkins made it clear he thought so, too. The only ball that wasn't out in the middle of the table was the six, which sat along the long rail a few inches above the side, but far enough from the side that it didn't seem to present a significant problem. The balls were spread out wide, and most accompished playrs would have called it a dead out. I don't agree with you that it looked like Keith was shooting great. Twice, he jumped up to hand Rodney a rack, and he had several uncharacteristic mistakes. I will, however, say this. Keith was the single most entertaining player on the entire telecast of the skins game, the one guy who showed his emotions and interacted considerably with the crowd and with his fellow competitors. If they do another one of these, Keith should be invited back, because he brings fun to the event. Keith is good TV.

I struggled to find the words to ask this question without being negative. Maybe I should have asked in a personal p.m. I did not think I was being negative and Keith ran out the next rack. I did not want to bring up subsquent problems. I think that shot changed everything. I loved the coverage, the playing, the banter and a lot about the format. I have developed a similar but different format that someday I will get off the ground that would also make pool a lot more exciting on t.v. I in no way was deameaning Keith, Jam although someone did post an outright criticisim. I just wanted to know his thought process and what the 2 players sitting on the side thought. As an opponent I would be thrilled he would shoot that shot rather than run out but alas they never do it against me, only when I am on the rail. lol