what they probably don't want is to pay the price johan asks. that may be shortsighted, but otoh i don't know the price, none of us do
mosconi aside, a structured youth program is probably more important, johan has some good points there. there are a couple young players now that could either be future ranking event winners with the right training, or another generation of could've-beens
The way I heard Johan explain it, seemed to me that MR didn't want Johan to participate at the request of the Skyler and U.S. team because it was supposed to be a player-coach event. Wouldn't seem fair to let Johan coach the U.S. side a week or two ahead of the event while the European sessions were player only.
Great interview, though. He pointed out the various shortcomings of the U.S. pool structure.
Seems to me U.S. pool needs some kind of Bradenton academy that pro soccer used for years until the rise of MLS. A place where the best young players from around the country can train every day, get fed, get schooled, etc. Problem, of course, is a source of funding. I don't see one coming along.
*Johan said Sky is one of the best talents he ever coached. Said Sky blew through his hardest drill whose record had stood for 18 years. But he noted that Woodward is a "family man" and doesn't practice enough to be
that guy. He did not say in a judgmental way. Just stated the obvious.
Johan also said Sky was not a coach. Did as well as he could at the Mosconi. But he's not a coach. (-:
*Johan called the Mosconi the most important event in pro pool, even more important than any of the majors. He said it was the event that did most to raise player profiles and capture public awareness beyond a more narrow pro pool scene.
*Johan indicated Fedor and Niels have probably been his two best students. He said Niels once did the Mighty X drill for eight hours a day, six days a week, for six weeks. Crazy, I think he said. But Niels was determined to be one of the best.
*Johan said the two most important shots at the Mosconi were ... the lag and the break. He implied the U.S. did not do what was necessary to be up to par, or better, than the Europeans in either area.
*Johan noted the races to 5 require a different calibration than longer matches in other tournaments. He seemed to imply the European players took that more into account than the American players in shot selection.
