Game against Buddy Hall

[TheBook]

Keith

I have recently seen a game that was televised on one of my local cable channels. It was a game that was a race to 11 against Buddy Hall that went hill hill. You won. I don't remember the year it was from. This was the first time that I have ever seen you play an entire game other than a few highlights or in The Color of Money. What I noticed was that you were shooting side arm. Your forearm did not hang vertical but out at a angle. You would just walk up to the shot take about one practice stroke and then you were poking and pulling up out of the shot. The amazing thing is that you were making the shots and running out. You were also taking a swig of beer between shots. It seemed as if you were pretty loose. Is this how you always shoot when you play?

 

[Keith McCready]

2003 U.S. Open

TheBook, I always try to have a couple of beers before I play. It relaxes me and sort of takes a little bit of the jitterbugs out.

The match you're referring to, I didn't play that well in that match, but I did happen to pull it out. Buddy didn't play that well either. It was the first time they used that polka-dot cue ball, and me and Buddy had to adjust our eyeballs at this new invention. It was like playing in about 130 degrees in that area, and in hindsight, that could be why I was pulling up and one-stroking, because it was real hot and sticky.

When I'm playing good, I do play fast and loose. Sometimes when players try to play to my speed, it sort of throws them off. I don't play fast because of that reason, but it's just the way it happens. If you think I play fast, you should see Luc Salvas play. He plays faster than I do, in a good way, and he's a lot of fun.

I've always played with a side-arm stroke. I had to stand on boxes when I learned how to play and it just came naturally for me to have that side-arm stroke.

 

[TheBook]

Keith

Thanks for the quick response.

You seem as if you were having a good time during that game. It looks as if you are a fun guy to be around. Apparently you and Buddy are friends from all the conversation you had with him. I could not make any out because of the other noise (commentators).

How did you end up in that tournament?

Thanks