I was playing a guy the other day for a cheap set and afterwards we got to talking and catching up. He said, "man u still got it, I never could beat you before and ur skills still the same."
I told him my skills have actually improved since the last time we played but yet the match was still close. I got to wondering and it came to me like a flash. He said," then how come u didn't run right over me?"
I told him that I just haven't been shooting with as much heart as before. I've let my improvement as a player take over my heart. And that's been the missing link. This whole time I just thought that it was still the learning curve and getting adjusted with my new skills. But it's not. I've become too reliant on new and improved skills. Expecting them to win the game or help me get out more often.
We talked about gambling and we both agreed that I would take a less skilled player with more heart than a skilled player with no heart. I used to call it "a guy sh!ting on himself" but it's just heartless now. A heartless player with all the skill is worthless bc at the first sign of adversity will lay down, crumble, fold under pressure, etc.
I'm extremely analytical when it comes to pool but one thing I realized is that. When a guys leading and all of a sudden the other guy starts firing back? That's when u see what kinda heart the guy with the lead has! Perfect example recently Carlo Biado vs Dennis Hatch. Carlo pulled it together but u could see the wheels wobbling and I am a HUGE Biado fan.
On the Flip side of this. Mike dechaine has been playing great winning and finishing high in most events. What makes ppl dislike him? A lot of things but the underlying truth might be bc they have seen him play without a whole lot of heart. Until that changes he won't be able to convert the publics opinion. Again NOT a fan of his but I understand the reasons why I'm not.
I saw a billboard of Allen Iverson today that said Sixer forever. Despite all the neg things he's said or done the ppl of Philly and around the world still love him. Why? Bc he played with a BiG heart! It's something that when ur watching him, u can feel what he's doing, the pain, the effort, the will to win. Always carry a special place in my heart!
In the last TAR podcast they asked Efren why he thinks SVB is the best right now. He said "he got good pocketing, good breaking, and he got good thinking, but sometimes he lose his mind"
(Now this next statement is NOT a comparison or knock on SVB so don't get twisted)
The they asked who Efren thinks is the best money player. Efren says "Alex Pagulyan" they ask why.? He just points to his chest with that efren smile.
I know this post was long and bounced around like a plinko chip on Price is Right but just thought I'd share my thoughts. You never know what new pool players are out there trying to get better and forgetting the most important thing. Or what players are out there and can't figure out why no one likes them even though they are undefeated.
Thanks for reading