Great shot makers

K

kaznj

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Just considering the skill of making shots can you think of players greater than Earl Strickland. I am not considering tournaments won, position play, kicking skill, just pure shot makers.
Some of you old timers who have had the chance to see many players over the years, what do you think?
 
kaznj said:
Just considering the skill of making shots can you think of players greater than Earl Strickland. I am not considering tournaments won, position play, kicking skill, just pure shot makers.
Some of you old timers who have had the chance to see many players over the years, what do you think?
Click to expand...
I would have to agree, from a PURE shotmaking stand point. Earl would have to be one of the all time best but from the perspective of all the aspects of the game...I'll take EFREN !
 
Greg Stephens was one of the most pure shot makers in the 70's. I watched him play a lot at Time Square in Dallas. If he could see any part of the ball he could make it. He could cut balls unbelievably.
 
I'd find a snooker forum, ask them the same question, and go with whomever they pick.

In terms of pure shotmaking the best snooker player has to be better than the best pool player, by virtue of the fact that they train and play on more challenging equipment.
 
Since you bring up snooker, I was wonder, I have been in places with snooker tables. Very few places have 10x5 pool tables. Can you practice pool on a snooker table using regular pool balls?
Practice long shots on a long table could be a real challenge.
 
Best shotmaker (I have ever seen)

Hands down. Keith MacCready.

My analysis of his game is that making balls for himi was so innate by the time he hit his prime it was automatic. If he EVER missed a ball it was due to simply not concentrating (i.e. talking, rushing, didn't care).

Unbelievable, natural, shot-maker.
My top three. IMO

Keith
Earl
Mosconi
Efren
 
Really, not Buddy Hall?

I have only seen Buddy Hall play way past his prime and he still makes me shake my head.

How anyone could be over this guy is beyond me.

Ken
 
When I watch pros play, I never notice a guy who is a great shotmaker, because basically they ALL can make really tough cuts. I'm not remotely surprised when any of them drills in a long shot or a thin cut.

In fact... thinking about it, when I hear the term "pure shotmaker", it's almost an insult. To me that implies a guy who isn't a well-rounded player and allowed his cue ball control to take a back seat, and is forced to keep making tough shots in every rack because he can't control whitey.

It'd be easier to track which pros MISS tough shots, than which ones make them consistently.

Despite all that, earl has some gift. Watch him do wing shots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUtd7YisQ-c

I dunno how many other pros can do this but it's pretty sick.
 
kaznj said:
Since you bring up snooker, I was wonder, I have been in places with snooker tables. Very few places have 10x5 pool tables. Can you practice pool on a snooker table using regular pool balls?
Practice long shots on a long table could be a real challenge.
Click to expand...

Yes you can, I do it on occasion if I feel my pocket work needs to be tightened up.
 
CreeDo said:
When I watch pros play, I never notice a guy who is a great shotmaker, because basically they ALL can make really tough cuts. I'm not remotely surprised when any of them drills in a long shot or a thin cut.

...

It'd be easier to track which pros MISS tough shots, than which ones make them consistently.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Pretty much all top pros are excellent shot makers.

CreeDo said:
Despite all that, earl has some gift. Watch him do wing shots.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUtd7YisQ-c

I dunno how many other pros can do this but it's pretty sick.
Click to expand...

I would expect all world class pool professionals to be able to hit wing shots that well. Notice that Earl is rolling the object ball at about the same speed on about the same line every time. Once he has his aim dialed in, the shot is a piece of cake for him. Back in the day I saw Ginky put on a similar exhibition but with both the object ball and cue ball moving (cue ball rolling at a slower pace). It was impressive but not unexpected.
 
kaznj said:
Since you bring up snooker, I was wonder, I have been in places with snooker tables. Very few places have 10x5 pool tables. Can you practice pool on a snooker table using regular pool balls?
Practice long shots on a long table could be a real challenge.
Click to expand...

You can, but check with the room owner first. Some owners don't like the big heavy pool balls beating down the rails on their snooker tables.

Playing with pool balls on a snooker table is quite the challenge.
 
kaznj said:
Just considering the skill of making shots can you think of players greater than Earl Strickland. I am not considering tournaments won, position play, kicking skill, just pure shot makers.
Some of you old timers who have had the chance to see many players over the years, what do you think?
Click to expand...

I consider my self great shot maker, lately! but what makes a shot maker good?
 
Hands down in my book was Irving Crane! He could make anything and make it look effortless.
 
Sandor Tot!!!!:smile::smile::smile:
Maybe,some of you have heard of him,but for those who didn't he is one of the greatest shotmaker of all time.He is wellknown for this ability.Even Ortmann used to call him terminator.I wish you will have a chance to see him playing in person.He is very fast,agresive left handed player who used to be European Champion and used to win some Eurotours but for money he is a even bigger beast.
 
Cole Dickson. He once jokenly said that he doesn't have to play position because he never misses. Not only is there an ounce of truth in this statement but a pound of truth.
 
TSW said:
I would expect all world class pool professionals to be able to hit wing shots that well. Notice that Earl is rolling the object ball at about the same speed on about the same line every time. Once he has his aim dialed in, the shot is a piece of cake for him. Back in the day I saw Ginky put on a similar exhibition but with both the object ball and cue ball moving (cue ball rolling at a slower pace). It was impressive but not unexpected.
Click to expand...

I was skeptical but the very next day someone posted this video:

http://www.britishpathe.com/video/billiards-champ-entertains

Maybe you're right. I tried it once or twice and... well, it seemed pretty much as hard as it looks.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top