Matchroom Major Event-European Open (8-13 Aug), Fulda, Winner $30K Prizefund $200K

The USA's standing in the world pool scene would be pretty much zilch without SVB. Hopefully someone comes along soon to carry the mantle but it's not looking promising.
 
sjm said:
Everyone's Fargo has risen, so that's not relevant. We're comparing the Shane of 2014-16 that was the favorite to win every event in which he entered to the Shane of today who is still elite but is only one of many to beat these days and is almost never the betting favorite with the bookmakers.

There's definitely truth in your observation that he didn't need those complementary skills back when he was at his best, as his break and run rate was the best in the world, but when he needed to heavily rely on them, he was far more beatable. He is still not a tactically elite player, and the fact that the tactical skills need to be used more often than in 2014-16 is a big part of why he has won just one major in the last seven years, while Filler has won four, and Ouschan, Kaci and Sanchez-Ruiz each have three.

SVB is in the conversation for best ever, but he's no longer the dominant player he once was. He's got nothing left to prove, but as you've noted, there are more good players today than in the past. His runout skills are still super-elite, but he'll have to catch up tactically if he hopes to start mass-producing major titles as he once did.

I get the sense that we both have limitless respect for Shane, but we don't agree on a few of the details. It's all good, for yours is a well-informed opinion, and I appreciate that you've shared it.
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Just to put a bow on this...

Here's how I see Shane's skill set:

Peak Years -
Great shotmaker
Great break
Good (not great patterns)
Good tactical play
Powerful stroke
Random unexpected misses.

I think it was during a TAR interview with Darren Appleton, where Darren talked about Shane's tendency to miss the unexpected ball. I think Darren was right and this has stayed with Shane's game throughout his career. I know even the great players miss balls, but for the top dogs -- Shane's misses stand out to me.

During these years, he out ran his misses by stringing together racks with his powerful break AND stroke. His often overlooked powerful stroke would allow him to easily force the cue ball around the table when he had less than perfect position. This is a skill of his that I think is unrivaled even to this day. What he does with 50 percent of his stroke takes other players to this upper limits of their's.

Shane today:
Great shotmaker
Great break but rules nullify this advantage to an extent.
Very good patterns
Great tactical play
Powerful stroke
Random unexpected misses.

With SVB, it's one of two things. Either his powerful break overshadowed OUR view of his overall game all along, or his skill set has continued to evolve with the game over time in order to continue winning racks and matches, even if -- not tourneys, at the same or higher rate than during his peak years.

I do think he's improved his tactical game but his powerful stroke may be the one thing in his bag that has separated him from everyone else. We all talk about the fast cloth and fast tables, but it still takes a powerful stroke to move the cue ball around when you're almost straight in and SVB does this better than anyone I've ever seen. He can slam the cue ball from one side of the table to the other, while facing a very slight cut angle, and he clearly does this comfortably within his ability.

He may still have quite a few years left in the top tier. Ronnie O'Sullivan is still going strong at 47. Maybe SVB can do the same.
 
skip100 said:
The USA's standing in the world pool scene would be pretty much zilch without SVB. Hopefully someone comes along soon to carry the mantle but it's not looking promising.
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Sky is a top 25-ish pro, but I get your point.

Caring about this -- is sort of a ship that has sailed for me. There are just so many likeable foreign players to root for that I just don't care anymore. Yes it would be nice to be more competitive come Mosconi Cup time, but other than that so what.

I like most of the players in the top ten and my rooting interests change from tourney to tourney. Even players like Shaw and Filler who have gotten under my skin at times -- I enjoy seeing them succeed.

International professional pool is in a great place with or without the US players.
 
abbassi said:
Two good Semis to watch. Would like to see Raga and Shane final.
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raga vs filler is the most intriguing semi. can't call it. leaning towards raga

i feel shane should win against david if he plays the way he's been playing all week (minus yesterday). race is to 11 now i think
 
It's well under way. Filler on fire and was ahead 3-0. Then 3-2. Another sprint for Filler to 6-2.
A tough rack follows, but he misses a very makeable, though slightly awkward 8 and Raga gets a bit closer: 6-3.
Edit: bnr, 6-4.
 
6-5 through a caroms on the 9
Dry break. 2 consecutive fouls on the 1 for Raga and Filler make a great shot and glues the cueball behind the 4... Raga managers to make contact 👌
Safety battle ensues and Filler misses a 2 rail kick, Raga cleans up: 6-6!
 
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Rack 12 in Filler/Raga was one for the ages. After Raga escaped the three-foul, there were several brilliant shots by each player. Raga eventually wore Josh down and earned control of the table, after which he ran out. Wow!
 
8-9 for Raga but Filler makes 9-9. Final racks. Raga seems to be more relaxed, but either one can take it.

Break Filler: 9 in the corner, ifff the 4 didn't linger there. Dry break. Safety by Raga.
 
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Anton Raga!
If anyone have the curiosity, go to youtube and search for his games at home land. He plays so "easy" that you can think the game is something sweet, fast and obviously easy... I juste love it!
 
Interesting comment from jj, said Shane doesn’t like these shots, when you have to spin it!! Seems a strange thing to say. Maybe he plays more often to stun it but you can’t be considered one of goat for 9 ball and be worried about spinning a ball in?
 
Interesting comment from jj, said Shane doesn’t like these shots, when you have to spin it!! Seems a strange thing to say. Maybe he plays more often to stun it but you can’t be considered one of goat for 9 ball and be worried about spinning a ball in
 
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