Mark Wilson: Genius Or Nincompoop?

[boradriver]

Yes and that's my point. Why would he argue for Sossei when a whole lot of players are just as deserving?

can't say 100% but I think his comments are based on the fact that Jeremy's name was picked as a potential playing member by the captain. So he is comparing him to other names picked as potential playing members, Not every American player.

I'm guessing he feels Jeremy is more deserving that others on that 8 player list.

I'm also completely biased on this subject. I consider Jeremy a friend and would have picked him over everyone else on that 8 person list other than SVB. No offense to the other players listed as I bet each one of them has friends that feel the same way in their favor.

 

[King T]

It just doesnt matter!

Is that even how to spell it, n-i-n-c-o-m-p-o-o-p?

So the team has been chosen and it leaves me feeling confused and bewildered.

The selection of John Schmidt was based on what?

It could not have been based on his rotation play this year - or last. Was it that he is a 2006 US Open winner - a wiley veteran that our team needs? Or could it be that he's so much fun to be around, that his quick wit and intelligence has earned him a spot on the team? A mascot?

What about earning your way on to Team USA by performance?

What kind of message does this send to future candidates who bust their asses, play extremely well all year, have perfect attitudes, then get passed over in favor of someone who has not shown up at any rotation event of note displaying anything that remotely resembled success.

Can John polish up his rotation game in time for Mosconi Cup play? I suppose it's possible and, to be honest, I really hope that he does.


Go USA.

best,
brian kc

It doesn't matter! Until we bring the level of play up to the standard of the rest of the civilized world, it doesn't matter who goes, the outcome will likely be the same. I like all the guys on this team, a good mix of good players.

But proven on the international stage, not yet, not close, a work in progress for most.

 

[jay helfert]

I don't know if I've ever seen John act the way some of the members acted last year while playing but I've seen John be VERY unprofessional away from the table. Like a few years back at the US Open when he got upset with his cue sponsor and knocked over a whole display of cues to the floor in front of a lot of people in the lobby. I don't remember what he said, but his language was also very out of line. Also, his behavior on Facebook...


John however is a great player with natural talent and most of the time handles himself professionally. I don't believe he plays as much as other top Americans but he seems to be able to step up and play solid whenever he wishes. I wouldn't say he's a bad choice but I wouldn't have picked him personally.

Andrew, if you're the Captain one day I hope you pick me. I promise to play my best every match. :grin:

 

[Koop]

This is no knock on Jeremy, he's a great player, but.... he's not even the best player in New England, let alone top 10 in the country.

 

[iba7467]

Other than SVB can't you make the same statement for all the members of the USA team?

I would say Schmidt and Corey would be able to spot a large portion of the other players on the list. I am not saying a large spot, just a large percentage of the players. That said, this is all about chemistry and solidarity for the future - not necessarily about winning this year.

SVB, Dechaine, Bergman, Skylar and Oscar should be my team btw... So yea, I should have been the captain.

Skyler needs to play more big table events - I would still put him on my team. There is of course the problem that there are not that many big table events. Dechaine's attitude kept him off the team and I think that was a good decision. He responded professionally and with some emotion about being omitted. Hopefully this will be a good thing for him in the long run. I expect him to be on the team next year.

The selection of John Schmidt was based on what?
...
What about earning your way on to Team USA by performance?
...
Why on earth was Jeremy Sossei kicked to the curb with the kind of year he is having? His rotation game is already gleaming. And he's a perfect gentleman.

For a captain who claims to be building a bright future for US pool, I fear that the exclusion of someone like Jeremy from the squad sends a really lousy message.
..
Go USA.

best,
brian kc

Mark did have these guys come and work with him and together numerous times. I do not know his reasoning, but it could have a lot to do with what he saw working with them.

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

This is no knock on Jeremy, he's a great player, but.... he's not even the best player in New England, let alone top 10 in the country.

and if Mike Dechaine lived in South Dakota you could say the exact same thing about MD there. :smile::smile:

best,
brian kc

 

[boradriver]

This is no knock on Jeremy, he's a great player, but.... he's not even the best player in New England, let alone top 10 in the country.

But the comparison is not with the top 10 in the country its with the 8 selected by Mark Wilson.

Who do you consider the top players in New England?

 

[Baby Huey]

We don't have enough "big moment" players on the team. All the players have very good skills and the case can be made to include some and exclude some. Let's give Mark a chance to see what he comes up with. It's kind of like voting for the All Star game in that this guy or that guy should be on the team. Let's see how it plays out. For my money, if Jean Balukas were still playing, she's be my pick to be on the team. What a great moment that would be if a women could play with the guys on the team…..And win!!

 

[bfdlad]

I have spoken about this topic on my segment on ABR. I have actually said it in an interview with Mark Wilson I believe. Here is the thing, Mark was given the first opportunity in MC history to pick his own team at the beginning of the year. He decided to take advantage of that by picking his 8 potentials in order to use the year to bond, team build, etc. Now at the beginning of the year he had his reasons for picking certain players an not picking others and could not have possibly foreseen how everyone was going to play. I imagine Sky would have been a pick if he had a crystal ball. He made his picks and had to stick with them or his process would mean nothing.
I know there are some picks that people like and dislike for many different reasons but at the end of the day Mark is the only one who can make the call. I also agree wth a previous poster and hope the players picked are not reading some of these threads as I am sure it will have a negative impact on them and add to the pressure they are already going to be under. The team is the team for this year and next year I think we will see some of the names that have been mentioned but until then maybe we should be positive toward the players picked and get behind them. If it comes to pass that this team goes down in flames then I am sure the threads on "I told you so" and "Mark Wilson is a nincompoop" will be in abundance. My 2 cents

 

[Koop]

But the comparison is not with the top 10 in the country its with the 8 selected by Mark Wilson.

Who do you consider the top players in New England?

Probably, in order,

Mike
Jeremy

Point taken but I still don't believe not selecting Jeremy is a travesty. There are at least a dozen guys I would take over him for the Mosconi Cup.
Rodney Morris immediately comes to mind.

 

[Koop]

and if Mike Dechaine lived in South Dakota you could say the exact same thing about MD there. :smile::smile:

best,
brian kc

True, and I know you're kidding around but, that's about the only place in the country Mike is probably a hands down second.
Besides Shane I don't consider anyone in the US a clear cut favorite over Mike right now.

 

[cleary]

How did you choose Oscar over Sossei? Please use factual match results and tournament finishes to back up your response.

First of all, I don't think tournament results really dictate who is better than who. If you don't know you just don't know I guess... Oscar is a better player and I'm sure Oscar would be happy to back that up.


But to humor you here are results for events that are not just local tours or actually have a strong field:

Jeremy:
turningstone 13th
SBE players champ 17th
US Open 25th
DCC 9ball 30th

Oscar:
SBE players champ 4th
Swanee 9ball 4th
Andy Mercer memorial 5th
USBTC 9ball 5th

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

Probably, in order,

Mike
Jeremy

Point taken but I still don't believe not selecting Jeremy is a travesty. There are at least a dozen guys I would take over him for the Mosconi Cup.
Rodney Morris immediately comes to mind.

I think you are missing the point of this thread which is we had 8 to choose from.

Of those 8, ow did Jeremy not make it on the Team?

best,
brisan kc

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

First of all, I don't think tournament results really dictate who is better than who. If you don't know you just don't know I guess... Oscar is a better player and I'm sure Oscar would be happy to back that up.


But to humor you here are results for events that are not just local tours or actually have a strong field:

Jeremy:
turningstone 13th
SBE players champ 17th
US Open 25th
DCC 9ball 30th

Oscar:
SBE players champ 4th
Swanee 9ball 4th
Andy Mercer memorial 5th
USBTC 9ball 5th

how did Oscar do at Turning Stone and The US Open?

best,
brian kc

 

[Levi]

Pool in general...

We will never get pool to go anywhere if everyone keeps *****ing moaning and complaining.
What pool needs is TV exposure. I think that all tournaments should have all players show up with coaches and I mean very professional ones too! Not just anyone...

Teachers like Doug Simpson, Bert Kinister and so on....

I love Earls game but he needs to act proper. Also he's not the only one.

With a player and a coach the money could be much higher!!

I honestly think that pool needs this bad!!

How can we expect to have respect and get sponsored from the BIG MONEY PEOPLE if people act as they do?

We and I say we...need to wake up and smell the roses. Period.

My thoughts...:thumbup:

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

True, and I know you're kidding around but, that's about the only place in the country Mike is probably a hands down second.
Besides Shane I don't consider anyone in the US a clear cut favorite over Mike right now.

completely agree.

best,
brian kc

 

[hang-the-9]

Probably, in order,

Mike
Jeremy

Point taken but I still don't believe not selecting Jeremy is a travesty. There are at least a dozen guys I would take over him for the Mosconi Cup.
Rodney Morris immediately comes to mind.

Shorty (Tom D'Alfonso)
Nelson Olivera (sp?)

Both of those can play even with Jeremy on a day to day basis, not just once in a while.

I don't really know the other strong players in N.E. aside from those guys at the top of the lower pro levels. There are a few other local very strong players but I think Dechaine, Shorty and Nelson are the top 3. But like I said, maybe my knowledge is more limited and there are people I just don't know about.

 

[Koop]

Shorty (Tom D'Alfonso)
Nelson Olivera (sp?)

Both of those can play even with Jeremy on a day to day basis, not just once in a while.

I don't really know the other strong players in N.E. aside from those guys at the top of the lower pro levels. There are a few other local very strong players but I think Dechaine, Shorty and Nelson are the top 3. But like I said, maybe my knowledge is more limited and there are people I just don't know about.

Shorty, yes, he can play with Jeremy.
Nelson, no.

Nelson is a great player but I would take Jeremy all day every day over him.

 

[cleary]

how did Oscar do at Turning Stone and The US Open?

best,
brian kc

Oh man! Case closed!! Sign the boy up for the next hof selection.

 

[Koop]

Shorty, yes, he can play with Jeremy.
Nelson, no.

Nelson is a great player but I would take Jeremy all day every day over him.

I mean hell, my buddy Joey D can play with them as well and had a REAL strong finish at Turning Stone two events ago and also double dipped Mike at a Joss event at Snookers. BUT...I wouldn't say he's even money against Mike, Jeremy, or Shorty.