fedor and josh- the long game

[evergruven]

there are a number of great players out there; skilled up-and-comers, too-
but it looks like these guys are going to be battling the field/each other for the biggest titles, for years to come
they both shoot so straight, and fedor and josh have already achieved a lot at a young age
it's pretty cool to bear witness to generational, potentially all-time talent
well wishes to both, and I look forward to watching them grow over time.

 

[sjm]

The 2020's might end up looking a bit like the 1960's in golf, during which Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Gary Player, between them, won something close to half the majors. Those three certainly had to fight off some worthy adversaries back in the day, many of whom broke through from time to time, but you always looked for Nicklaus, Palmer and Player when the biggest titles were up for grabs.

In pool, with the Russian ban behind us now, Gorst and Filler appear the ones to beat, but there's a generation of young players that will offer them very stiff competition for many years to come. Yes, Pehlivanovic, Sanchez-Ruiz, Kaci, Zielinski, Shaw, the Ko brothers and a few other young Asians will present a challenge. Some old timers, like SVB, Dennis Orcullo, JL Chang, and Carlo Biado may also continue to test them to the max.

I'm not as sure as you are that the top two will dominate, but it could happen as Filler and Gorst are generational talents with big futures, and each has a work ethic as huge as his talent.

It should be fun to watch how it plays out, especially when they play each other.

 

[evergruven]

I'm not as sure as you are that the top two will dominate

hey stu, thanks for the post- the future of pool belongs to tomorrow, but today I can't help but be excited by it
pool is such an accessible, competitive sport- I definitely agree with you that fedor and josh aren't going to be given anything
but I also confess that they stand out to me, for several reasons- especially fedor- he's got a great mix, I think
I'm usually the wait and see-type, but the talent pool seems so healthy right now..I appreciate your confirmation.

It should be fun to watch how it plays out, especially when they play each other.

100%!

 

[King T]

Well they both look like the tops today..., but lets see what happens the next. Shaw looked unbeatable for a while and shoots as straight as either of them and we know that the Philippines are going to have a say so in any conversation about Pool. I also think we haven't seen everything David Alcaide has to offer, its looking real good for Pool Lovers!

 

[Vahmurka]

When I noticed the thread title among the others, I was sure the thread is about Gorst and Roberts. And their potential One Pocket rivalry.

 

[evergruven]

When I noticed the thread title among the others, I was sure the thread is about Gorst and Roberts. And their potential One Pocket rivalry.

..my bad.
that does speak to my point tho..both filler and fedor are jumping in the (1p) box! love it.

 

[sjm]

Shaw looked unbeatable for a while and shoots as straight as either of them

I'd say both Gorst and Filler shoot straighter than Shaw. Admittedly, not by much.

 

[Positively Ralf]

I wouldn't be quick to say they will be the only ones running for all the titles as Yapp, Biado, SVB, Ouschan, Sanchez Ruiz just to name a few are all still around.

And let us not forget the many influx of European, Asian and even Latin American players who will be making some noise soon.

 

[sjm]

I wouldn't be quick to say they will be the only ones running for all the titles as Yapp, Biado, SVB, Ouschan, Sanchez Ruiz just to name a few are all still around.

Nobody has suggested as much, but I don't think it's too far-fetched to suggest they'll be the two premier players of the next decade.

 

[Woodshaft]

I'd say both Gorst and Filler shoot straighter than Shaw. Admittedly, not by much.

I agree. Shaw is a little "looser" with his position play too.
I feel Gorst is the most consistent player, and Filler is the most talented player, currently in the world.
Shaw is a little too "casual" in his play style at times, which makes him inconsistent and unpredictable. Boatloads of talent though!
Mika Immonen also plays too "casual" imo lol. But he and Shaw can definitely shoot well!

 

[Fatboy]

I'd say both Gorst and Filler shoot straighter than Shaw. Admittedly, not by much.

We need to get the laser out to check-they are all amazing

 

[Positively Ralf]

Nobody has suggested as much, but I don't think it's too far-fetched to suggest they'll be the two premier players of the next decade.

The original poster did but yeah, they will more than likely be the big premier stars of the game.

 

[fjk]

I agree. Shaw is a little "looser" with his position play too.
I feel Gorst is the most consistent player, and Filler is the most talented player, currently in the world.
Shaw is a little too "casual" in his play style at times, which makes him inconsistent and unpredictable. Boatloads of talent though!
Mika Immonen also plays too "casual" imo lol. But he and Shaw can definitely shoot well!

Because of Shaw's loose position, I'm going to say he's the better shot maker. It seems like he's shooting 5-6 feet away from the object ball a few times a rack. Because it doesn't bother him at all, we don't even notice it anymore. I've watch Jason practice, when he really bares down on a tough shot, his accuracy is just amazing.

 

[Black-Balled]

When I noticed the thread title among the others, I was sure the thread is about Gorst and Roberts. And their potential One Pocket rivalry.

Rivalry...lol.
Roberts better not be interviewing the same backers as I am!

 

[sjm]

hey stu, thanks for the post- the future of pool belongs to tomorrow, but today I can't help but be excited by it
pool is such an accessible, competitive sport- I definitely agree with you that fedor and josh aren't going to be given anything
but I also confess that they stand out to me, for several reasons- especially fedor- he's got a great mix, I think
I'm usually the wait and see-type, but the talent pool seems so healthy right now..I appreciate your confirmation.



100%!

One thing I aways liked about Josh Filler is the way he committed himself to learning the fringe games, knowing that it would help his all-around skills and finesse. Josh was happy to match up in action in every discipline with the stars of that discipline. He gambled at 10-ball with both JL Chang and Dennis Orcullo, he gambled at bank pool with both Evan Lunda and Shannon Murphy, he gambled at one pocket with Tony Chohan and he gambled with Corey Deuel at bar table eight ball. Josh didn't win all of these matches, but they helped to build his competitive pedigree. He entered the American 14.1 in 2021 and ran 150 and out in one of his matches on the way to the title, beating Gorst in the final.

I think we're now seeing the same from Gorst. Fedor is in the process of mastering the fringe games, having won the bank pool and the one pocket at the 2022 Derby City Classic, leading to Master of the Table honors. He is matching up with the stars in the various disciplines as Filler did before him and is on a similar trajectory.

The all-around skills that Filler and Gorst, both still under 25 years old, are displaying are well beyond those of any member of their generation of players. Yes, they'll both be tested to the limit by the deep fields we find in pro pool today, but they are very rare talents and I feel certain that both will find themselves in the BCA Hall of Fame one day.

 

[evergruven]

I wouldn't be quick to say they will be the only ones running for all the titles as Yapp, Biado, SVB, Ouschan, Sanchez Ruiz just to name a few are all still around.

The original poster did but yeah, they will more than likely be the big premier stars of the game.

I haven't ever read that x player is/will be "the only one running for all the titles" here on azb, and I'm certainly not brave/silly enough to be the first to write it
semantics aside, we do appear in agreement that fedor and filler "will more than likely be the big premier stars of the game"- it's a good time to be a pool fan!

One thing I aways liked about Josh Filler is the way he committed himself to learning the fringe games, knowing that it would help his all-around skills and finesse.

I think we're now seeing the same from Gorst. Fedor is in the process of mastering the fringe games, having won the bank pool and the one pocket at the 2022 Derby City Classic, leading to Master of the Table honors. He is matching up with the stars in the various disciplines as Filler did before him and is on a similar trajectory.

Yes, they'll both be tested to the limit by the deep fields we find in pro pool today, but they are very rare talents and I feel certain that both will find themselves in the BCA Hall of Fame one day.

well said stu, and completely agree-
that these young gunners are mixing it up and putting their heart and skills to the test vs. the best is very encouraging for them as individual players, and pool as a whole
personally, I've always been especially admiring of well-rounded players, and very much look forward to seeing how josh and fedor progress as a result of their moxie