Here comes a dead horse. SVB talk.

jhanso18

jhanso18

Broken Lock
Silver Member
He is far to humble to come right out and say it but, his performance this year has made me a believer. He has turned a corner in life, and now I believe HE IS THE BEST SINGLE POOL PLAYER IN THE WORLD.

My measure of his play is as follows:

Straight pool - His "weakest" game, and I've seen him rip several 125+ runs on a tight 9'.

One pocket - There is some debate by people who just don't want to except he won the Derby City 1P and the US Open One Pocket. He's beat the best at one pocket, and there are only a handful that would play him no spot.

Rotation games (9 & 10 ball) - We all know what he can do in rotation games.

8-ball - NO ONE wants to get some 8-ball on the BB with him. Big table 8ball I'm guessing he's a heavy favorite as well.

So what's left banks? Golf? Lagging? Do we really even need to measure these games?


Here's the long and short of things. We all know that EVERYONE has ups and downs in this game. Shane, may or may not, be the winner at any given moment. But against any one, at any game, who is going to be FAVORED to win over the kid? There are a couple of guys out there, that some think will be a coin toss, at this game or that playing even. But any one who will bet a nickle wants weight to bet against SVB.


SO LETS HEAR IT!!!!!!!!!! If Shane isn't the best pool player right now, who is???????????????????????? And you should have a reason why.


P.S. - I know his list of accomplishments don't make him the all time greatest... YET!
 
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He probably is the world's best at this time. But he'd better enjoy it and relish the moment.

Darren Appleton has been the honcho for the past couple of years. Before him, Mika Immonen had an utterly fantastic run for a couple of years. Ralf Souquet had a few really great years. Just before him, Daryl Peach could do no wrong for a year/year and a half.

Darren still pulls off a tournament on a fairly regular basis, but what has Mika and/or Daryl and/or Ralf really done in the past several years that has been consistently eye-opening???

Except for Johnny Archers 90's decade run of success, there really hasn't been anyone that can claim the title as "World's Greatest Poolplayer" for more than a few years running in a long time. Therefore imo, the title is so short-lived there probably isn't much use of throwing it out there. It can all change in the blink of an eye.

Maniac (is a believer in SVB as a great player though)
 
I agree with you that SVB is probably the best all-around player in the game today.
But, he's not the best straight pool player; he's not the best banker; he's not the best one-pocket player; he's not the best 8-ball player.
He's probably the best 9-Ball and definitely the best 10-Ball player, mainly because of his awesome break. No one else has as powerful and consistent break shot as does SVB.
His fantastic shot-making, cue-ball control, jump-shots, kicking and coolness under pressure fill out the package, making him the best overall, in my opinion.
Would I bet against SVB in ANY match against ANY opponent right now? Yes, if he played 14.1 against John Schmidt or one-pocket against Efren. But even in these situations, it wouldn't surprise me if SVB beat them.
 
kkdanamatt said:
Would I bet against SVB in ANY match against ANY opponent right now? Yes, if he played 14.1 against John Schmidt or one-pocket against Efren. But even in these situations, it wouldn't surprise me if SVB beat them.
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In pool, when you get down to the later rounds in a major tournament, the outcome is always a toss-up. Things have certainly changed since the Mosconi/Lassiter days of yore.

Maniac
 
Love SVB's game, but...,

Not sure he's the best 9 0r 10 Ball player in the world, America for sure, but have we forgotten about Dennis O!!!!

I would like to see Dennis O and SVB heads up for a week, playing 8,9,10 and 14.1, then we could call it.
 
King T said:
Not sure he's the best 9 0r 10 Ball player in the world, America for sure, but have we forgotten about Dennis O!!!!

I would like to see Dennis O and SVB heads up for a week, playing 8,9,10 and 14.1, then we could call it.
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He just pounded Dennis O. in the finals at the US Open 9-ball. It wasn't like Dennis laid down either. He came back at Shane with a 4 pack i think. With a cool, level head, he will beat Dennis O. in all games but MAYBE 14.1. Just because he doesn't play it regularly doesn't mean he cant play it.

SVB's break isn't the only reason why he's the best rotation player. Might have been before, and it helps, but the world has caught up. His safety play, combined with shot making skill, and cool head are what's keeping him there now.

I agree that most of the time players only get hot for 6 months to a year. I'm going out on the limb here, SVB will be around for a long time, and will be consistently good. I really believe we are witnessing the beginning of the VanBoening era. Anyone with a brain that meets this kid can tell you he is truely something special. I think he has all the talant that Johny and Earl had, with little to none of the down sides.

I can't wait to tell my kid 20 years from now, about how the top players then, are still getting there butts kicked by the top player of my days!


Best,

Justin
 
Does anyone know what the Accu-Stats rating for the finals was? I'm thinking Shane had a seriously high one.
 
KoolKat9Lives said:
Does anyone know what the Accu-Stats rating for the finals was? I'm thinking Shane had a seriously high one.
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The only ball I recall that Shane missed was that side pocket shot early on in the match.

Plus, what ever the Accu-Stats rating is, it doesn't come close to depicting how good Shane shot. Unbelievable long shots, off the rail long shots with a significant cut. Long shots down the rail passing the side pocket. Super lock-um-up safes. And all this under extreme pressure. He did it all with the greatest of ease it seemed like. This is one Accu-Stats tape I am going to buy.

By the way, I need to mention something in case someone else didn't talk about Alex complaining about Shane's break. Basically, Alex interviened before Shane broke that where Shane was shooting from it was impossible to make the wing ball all the time, that Shane's racking must be faulty. The ref looked at him after inspecting the rack and said it looked all right to him. Alex then said: "you mean I can rack them like Shane does" and the ref said yes. Alex then asked the ref again if he could seriously rack like that. The next time Alex got to break he tried breaking from the same spot that Shane was breaking from without making the wing ball. My theory - his little puny arms didn't have the power to make that wing ball. :grin: I like Alex, but this time his was in my opinion trying to interupt Shane's game out of pure frustration.
 
Love SVB..., but

Love Dennis O too.., I think its to close to call and yes Dennis did beat SVB on TAR. Lets nor forget that Dennis has won all over the world..., The World 10 Ball, BCA in Vegas, I'm just saying its close, real close!!
 
whitewolf said:
The only ball I recall that Shane missed was that side pocket shot early on in the match.

Plus, what ever the Accu-Stats rating is, it doesn't come close to depicting how good Shane shot. Unbelievable long shots, off the rail long shots with a significant cut. Long shots down the rail passing the side pocket. Super lock-um-up safes. And all this under extreme pressure. He did it all with the greatest of ease it seemed like. This is one Accu-Stats tape I am going to buy.

By the way, I need to mention something in case someone else didn't talk about Alex complaining about Shane's break. Basically, Alex interviened before Shane broke that where Shane was shooting from it was impossible to make the wing ball all the time, that Shane's racking must be faulty. The ref looked at him after inspecting the rack and said it looked all right to him. Alex then said: "you mean I can rack them like Shane does" and the ref said yes. Alex then asked the ref again if he could seriously rack like that. The next time Alex got to break he tried breaking from the same spot that Shane was breaking from without making the wing ball. My theory - his little puny arms didn't have the power to make that wing ball. :grin: I like Alex, but this time his was in my opinion trying to interupt Shane's game out of pure frustration.
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That was an interesting exchange. I posted in depth on it here (post #51):
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=3836481#post3836481

In addition to that, I had a discussion with a very knowledgeable chap - Neil Nida (sp?). He may work for Diamond. He said that the 2 ball was "settling" in a bit, and by leaving a little gap, you can make the wing ball easier. And that Neils had the same issue with Dennis O the night before. So, perhaps Alex learned of this?
 
Well as Fast Eddie Felson said it, "it goes in streaks." However, it seems like Shane's streak as lasted a while now. Without a doubt SVB is the best overall pool player in America IMO. But you don't have to be the best at ever discipline to be the best overall. I remember one year that Busty won the all around at Derby City but didn't win any of the tourneys. I think an argument can be made that SVB is the best in the world right now. We plays all games very well and is a threat at every disicpline. To me, he is the tiger woods of pool. The old tiger that dominated the golf world.

As far as no one challenging him at 8-ball on a bar box, if I had the money I would take a crack at it. But I don't have the money so I don't have to worry about it. :)
 
Shane Talk

I am a huge Shane fan and I think he is in the top 5 in the world no doubt, but I don't think he is the best player in the world at this time. I don't think you can determine that by tournament play. In my honest opinion I believe Alex Pagulayan would be the best player if he would dedicate himself to pool and only pool. This is not a knock on Shane because he is without a doubt the most dedicated, hard working, individual in American pool but I just don't think he is the best in the world. I will change my mind when he starts winning international events. I believe it is just a matter of time.
 
I think Shane is the best pool player in the world. I also think that his racking/breaking is what sits his apart from the others. It takes nothing away from his game...at all

consistency..consistency..
 
King T said:
Love Dennis O too.., I think its to close to call and yes Dennis did beat SVB on TAR. Lets nor forget that Dennis has won all over the world..., The World 10 Ball, BCA in Vegas, I'm just saying its close, real close!!
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I agree with you. Dennis has proven that he can beat anyone in any place. This year he has won the US Open 10 Ball and the China Open (field is ridiculously strong). Almost every year he wins a major or a ridiculously tough tournament, so I wouldn't put SVB ahead of him just yet. But SVB did play extremely strong in the US Open.
 
Shane is my favorite player, but strongest overall hard to say. Alex playes all the games great even Snooker and I believe he plays pretty sporty 3 cushion. I also think if Shane took the time to learn any game he would play at the highest level.
 
jhanso18 said:
He just pounded Dennis O. in the finals at the US Open 9-ball. It wasn't like Dennis laid down either. He came back at Shane with a 4 pack i think. With a cool, level head, he will beat Dennis O. in all games but MAYBE 14.1. Just because he doesn't play it regularly doesn't mean he cant play it.

SVB's break isn't the only reason why he's the best rotation player. Might have been before, and it helps, but the world has caught up. His safety play, combined with shot making skill, and cool head are what's keeping him there now.

I agree that most of the time players only get hot for 6 months to a year. I'm going out on the limb here, SVB will be around for a long time, and will be consistently good. I really believe we are witnessing the beginning of the VanBoening era. Anyone with a brain that meets this kid can tell you he is truely something special. I think he has all the talant that Johny and Earl had, with little to none of the down sides.

I can't wait to tell my kid 20 years from now, about how the top players then, are still getting there butts kicked by the top player of my days!


Best,

Justin
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I was there at the USopen watching the event. No one would beat shane if he is breaking like that all the time: If I remember correctly, the wing ball was going in straight all the time (100% success) and was having a shot at the 1 ball most of the time.

I just found it crazy tho how shane figured the rack/break and the rest of the players were having a harder time deciphering it.
 
I'll tell you right now, if Dennis plays the same set today, that he did on TAR, he won't win. Shane's had a lot on his plate the last couple months. His head is clear an collected. That's my point. When the kid's head is on straight, the rest of the pack better watch out.

Alex P. the best in the world makes me laugh. He's good, maybe top five, but I don't even know if I'd put him that high. If he stays back in ONLY pool, he can get there maybe. He pulls insane stuff, but as I said before, I really think we are entering the SVB era.

best,

Justin
 
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I think Shane's high gear is the edge that may separate him from his nearest peers.

I think Alex and Dennis would drool over the prospect of having Shane's package potential in rotation games.
 
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