Is SVB better as the year turns new?

Diamond69

Diamond69

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Or is this just my imagination? Not that he isn't great all the time, but seems like he comes out of the gate each new year with renewed vigor. I'm betting he has a monster DCC showing as well.

Is it a financial mindset of starting the year out at $0 and taking advantage of every opportunity early? Then gets comfortable once he's made $40k by the end of Feb knowing he'll finish the year on the plus side of $100k?

Is it a pride mindset of knowing he's on top of the $ leader board on AZB?

Only he knows (if he even does) why this may be since it may be a psychological thing. But interested in opinions.

On the other side, this may be just my perspective, and tourney results prove me wrong.
 
Diamond69 said:
Or is this just my imagination? Not that he isn't great all the time, but seems like he comes out of the gate each new year with renewed vigor. I'm betting he has a monster DCC showing as well.

Is it a financial mindset of starting the year out at $0 and taking advantage of every opportunity early? Then gets comfortable once he's made $40k by the end of Feb knowing he'll finish the year on the plus side of $100k?

Is it a pride mindset of knowing he's on top of the $ leader board on AZB?

Only he knows (if he even does) why this may be since it may be a psychological thing. But interested in opinions.

On the other side, this may be just my perspective, and tourney results prove me wrong.
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Grady Mathew used to say playing too much major tournaments take a toll on the brain, it is possible that since he has not been in big tourney for last month or so, he is fresh out of the box ready to beat anyone that holds a cue!! kind of like a new year resolution, it wears out after some time, until another young player with stronger well comes in!!
 
Shane and Johnny are doing some technical things better than everyone else

Diamond69 said:
Or is this just my imagination? Not that he isn't great all the time, but seems like he comes out of the gate each new year with renewed vigor. I'm betting he has a monster DCC showing as well.

Is it a financial mindset of starting the year out at $0 and taking advantage of every opportunity early? Then gets comfortable once he's made $40k by the end of Feb knowing he'll finish the year on the plus side of $100k?

Is it a pride mindset of knowing he's on top of the $ leader board on AZB?

Only he knows (if he even does) why this may be since it may be a psychological thing. But interested in opinions.

On the other side, this may be just my perspective, and tourney results prove me wrong.
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I predicted Shane and Johnny Archer in the finals. After our experience at the Mosconi Cup I could tell these two are simply the best in the world right now. Can anyone argue this, of course they can. We all have our opinions, however, Shane and Johnny are doing some technical things better than everyone else and I've pointed that out to several of my closest friends here in Dallas.

My advice is to bet on them every chance you get until other's start picking up on what they're doing differently. Johnny Archer and I talked for many hours on this subject in London and I learned and "got caught up" on many high level techniques.
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Especially, at this level it's a mental advantage, however, from my experience it all starts with something physical. I'm also very happy for Mike DeChaine who had a challenging Mosconi Cup, and as a champion must do, got up and made a great showing. Is it "luck" that the 3 out of the top 4 were all on this years Mosconi Cup team? I'm just disappointed Brandon Shuff wasn't there to pick up the 3rd place spot. ;) jk T. H.
 
CJ in all due respect, these two have the best fundamentals of all the American players, and imo the rest need to improve there fundamentals as proven by the mosconi cup.

The difference with the European players when the heat is on there fundamentals hold up.

Regarding turning stone not one European mosconi cup player played, so looking at these results, the American team will have a similar look this year, maybe have Corey in there too if he plays more, but will be Shane, Johnny & Mike as top 3 for sure.
 
lee brett said:
CJ in all due respect, these two have the best fundamentals of all the American players, and imo the rest need to improve there fundamentals as proven by the mosconi cup.

The difference with the European players when the heat is on there fundamentals hold up.

Regarding turning stone not one European mosconi cup player played, so looking at these results, the American team will have a similar look this year, maybe have Corey in there too if he plays more, but will be Shane, Johnny & Mike as top 3 for sure.
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Are you trying to imply that Shane and Johnny's fundamentals don't hold up in pressure? Let's not forget Johnny has been player of the decade and many many many years was player of the year and BCA points leader and is STILL winning the big tournaments and placing high, and as far as Shane goes, he is one of the best pressure players in the game, he loves pressure and his game just gets that much better. As far as most of the rest of the Americans...well I sadly have to agree with you, I wouldn't bet much on them holding up under big pressure. Perfect example, Dennis Hatch has won more Joss events than anybody else but has never even finished in the top 3 of a Turning Stone. But back to Johnny and Shane, Johnny has won more Turning Stones (by a long shot) than anybody else and Shane either wins or is right there up top and yes many of Europe's Mosconi cup team HAVE played in those events that Shane and Johnny win and place high in, even if not this year, they have in the past. In fact has any player from Europe won a Turning Stone? <Honest question, I really don't know, I personally can't think of any.
 
Diamond69 said:
Or is this just my imagination? Not that he isn't great all the time, but seems like he comes out of the gate each new year with renewed vigor. I'm betting he has a monster DCC showing as well.
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I'm guessing that he takes the DCC very seriously and he's getting into fighting shape for it.
 
master_cueist said:
Are you trying to imply that Shane and Johnny's fundamentals don't hold up in pressure? Let's not forget Johnny has been player of the decade and many many many years was player of the year and BCA points leader and is STILL winning the big tournaments and placing high, and as far as Shane goes, he is one of the best pressure players in the game, he loves pressure and his game just gets that much better. As far as most of the rest of the Americans...well I sadly have to agree with you, I wouldn't bet much on them holding up under big pressure. Perfect example, Dennis Hatch has won more Joss events than anybody else but has never even finished in the top 3 of a Turning Stone. But back to Johnny and Shane, Johnny has won more Turning Stones (by a long shot) than anybody else and Shane either wins or is right there up top and yes many of Europe's Mosconi cup team HAVE played in those events that Shane and Johnny win and place high in, even if not this year, they have in the past. In fact has any player from Europe won a Turning Stone? <Honest question, I really don't know, I personally can't think of any.
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If you re-read carefully what i put i said these 2 have the best fundamentals, the REST need to improve theirs. In other words they are the only 2 that can hold up at the mosconi cup, where did i say Shane and Johnny's don't hold up under pressure? Jump back done off your horse and read something carefully before jumping all over someone and writing something i already know.

I wrote on Johnny's wall after the mosconi cup to say how OUTSTANDING he was and he should be mvp, and not decided cos you didn't win the cup. Regarding Shane i give him advice whenever he needs it.

Regarding turning stone i was merely pointing out this event this year, not all the previous events etc etc etc..
 
master_cueist said:
... Dennis Hatch has won more Joss events than anybody else but has never even finished in the top 3 of a Turning Stone. ...
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Hatch was second to Souquet at TS XII in 2009.

Hatch was 3rd at TS X (2008), XIV (2009), and XV (2010).
 
lee brett said:
If you re-read carefully what i put i said these 2 have the best fundamentals, the REST need to improve theirs. In other words they are the only 2 that can hold up at the mosconi cup, where did i say Shane and Johnny's don't hold up under pressure? Jump back done off your horse and read something carefully before jumping all over someone and writing something i already know.

I wrote on Johnny's wall after the mosconi cup to say how OUTSTANDING he was and he should be mvp, and not decided cos you didn't win the cup. Regarding Shane i give him advice whenever he needs it.

Regarding turning stone i was merely pointing out this event this year, not all the previous events etc etc etc..
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Ok first off, I never bashed you so do not start barking at me, I didn't jump all over you, I addressed what you said then made my own different statement which after someone mentioned and I looked up a little better was proven I was a little off. Second, yes you did say they have the best fundamentals and the rest need to improve but in your very next statement you made it seem as if NOBODY was at the same level of the European players. You made your point a little vague and I simply addressed that, that is why when I commented I put it in a question starting with "ARE YOU IMPLYING" So instead of acting like a hot-head you can now get off your high horse and realize I didn't even come close to bashing you, I was just asking a question of you, I could have made it a little better by paragraphing my two points but that still does not give you the right to talk down to me.
 
master_cueist said:
Ok first off, I never bashed you so do not start barking at me, I didn't jump all over you, I addressed what you said then made my own different statement which after someone mentioned and I looked up a little better was proven I was a little off. Second, yes you did say they have the best fundamentals and the rest need to improve but in your very next statement you made it seem as if NOBODY was at the same level of the European players. You made your point a little vague and I simply addressed that, that is why when I commented I put it in a question starting with "ARE YOU IMPLYING" So instead of acting like a hot-head you can now get off your high horse and realize I didn't even come close to bashing you, I was just asking a question of you, I could have made it a little better by paragraphing my two points but that still does not give you the right to talk down to me.
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You both suck at reading. Both misread and both made great points.

Freddie <~~~ it's the beer talking, but the beer seaks the truth

{edit: I think I meant 'speaks' but the beer wanted me to say 'seeks'}
 
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lee brett said:
The difference with the European players when the heat is on there fundamentals hold up.
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This may be the case, but I don't think the Americans need to work on their fundamentals.

The difference between the Americans and the Europeans is that the Europeans play most of the WPA world championships and the Americans, except for Shane, do not. This has resulted in a significant difference in, what I like to call, competitive pedigree.

Hence, in my view, American player fundamentals will hold up far better under pressure if and when they play in as many elite-field events as the Europeans.

PS Reading this thread, one would never figure out that Archer had a pretty bad year in 2012, and many on this forum complained when he was selected to the US Mosconi Cup team. I'm a Johnny fan, and his performance in December at the Mosconi Cup was very special, and I'm also glad to see him have a strong start to 2013 at Turning Stone. Still, the suggestion that he's a cut above all but Shane is not supported by the evidence offered in tournament played in 2012. He has not been turning in high finishes in elite internationally diverse fields like Derby City, the US Open Nine Ball, or the US Open 10-ball for a while now.
 
I definitely feel that Shane is stronger and smoother this year. A lot of balls were struck im similar style as Orcollo was striking balls when Dennis beat Shane at Hard Times. Sometimes it seems that there is a slight rush to get the ball over and get on to the next one. He has praticed more this year, but intelligent practice that is turning him to a honed machine like precision.
I was disappointed that in as many games as he played that he didn't seek the sweet spot for breaking with any urgency. Way too many dry breaks. But the main thing is that he is dedicated becoming the very best. Just refer back to Jay Helferts run down on how both he, Shane, and Dennis practice while staying with him. Shane could continue to gain experience and confidence until he is truly a monster. I've always like him but he has a special quality now that extends and makes the last hurdles even easier and that is that he loves to play. After losing to Dennis at HT he didn't pack up and go home he played challenge macthes with Underdog a local shortstop and others who so desired. The only other player I've known to do that, and he will do it damn near all night is Efren Reyes. This drive and the fun they have doing it is a huge part of who they are and why they are so successful.
 
Here's my take. Nobody, but nobody, has Shane's high gear. At least not today.

I was convinced of that when I saw him break and run over 50% playing 10 ball on a super tough TAR table a few years ago. I didn't think it was possible.

Shane is not always in high gear, but when he is, it doesn't matter who is sitting in the other chair.
 
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TATE said:
Here's my take. Nobody, but nobody, has Shane's high gear. At least not today.
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Here's my take. Shane's fundamentals are strong enough to make it as a pro snooker player. No other American comes close. Anyone who thinks American players have strong fundamentals needs their head read.
 
lee brett said:
If you re-read carefully what i put i said these 2 have the best fundamentals, the REST need to improve theirs. In other words they are the only 2 that can hold up at the mosconi cup, where did i say Shane and Johnny's don't hold up under pressure? Jump back done off your horse and read something carefully before jumping all over someone and writing something i already know.
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I think the penny will drop one day that American fundamentals need strengthening if they are to compete with the rest of the world. As such, your services could be in big demand, but I recommend a more conciliatory approach to your posts. Those of us that aren't selling something can enjoy ourselves by being obnoxious whenever we choose; those that are selling something need to bite their tongue occasionally.

CJ has the right approach - he shills his services, but does so in a benign way, so doesn't piss people off.
 
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