Mosconi Cup Coverage and Discussion Dec 10-13.
- Thread starter JoeyA
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Man, Johnny's made a believer out of me. He's awesome under pressure. Where other guys fall a little out of line and then proceed to dog it, he just carefully lines up makes the ball. Some of the others on both sides of the pond seem like they're playing "what if I miss" shots instead of just playing to make the shot an run out.
I can't help feeling a little nervous seeing him shooting under a clock, and I get the feeling he wishes he had just five more seconds each shot, but he's handling it like a champ. Two beautiful outs so far.
edit: oh man he just Efren'ed in a 9 ball after Niels left him a full table kick.
I can't help feeling a little nervous seeing him shooting under a clock, and I get the feeling he wishes he had just five more seconds each shot, but he's handling it like a champ. Two beautiful outs so far.
edit: oh man he just Efren'ed in a 9 ball after Niels left him a full table kick.
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For all the people that are saying if those 2 would have performed great then everyone wouldn't have questioned their place on the team. That quote was from Dec. 8. I've been questioning it from the word go. It didn't take a rocket scientist to predict what was going to happen in this one.
That being said, had they played great then I would be eating crow and giving them their dues, but as it stands they must endure criticism as professionals under the spotlight.
In the case of Dechaine, I seem to want to ask how you saw it coming.
After coming third in the Derby City 9-ball event early in the year, Dechaine was the only American who reached the final day of the 2012 US Open 10-ball championship. Not long ago, he beat a very strong field to a pulp at Turning Stone and he prevailed over a strong field at the Ocean State Championships in November. It seemed to me that he headed to the Mosconi Cup in good form.
A year ago, he played respectably at the Mosconi Cup, including a lopsided win over Ralf Souquet.
As you saw it coming, I'd be grateful if you would share what it was that concerned you about Mike?
Actually Stu, Brandon Shuff came in 3rd in the Derby City All Around 2012.
Brandon played very well imo. I don't care what Melling says, he lucked in 2 long shot kicks on Brandon. Brandon also had a nice safety lucked in on him when he played doubles (with Hatch I think). ALL of the kick shots that went in on Brandon netted in game losses. Each loss is a 2 game swing. fade THAT in a race to 5. He was a bit nervous at first but handled it very well and settled in nicely.
Mike never got comfortable. No need to outline anything.
People that wanna take credit for knowing the outcome are simply looking for attention. Simply wasn't possible.
Ray
Mr. Banks,
I do not think the term 'Pool Shark' is considered a good term to the general public. The things you refer to are part of what puts billiards in a bad light.
Is pool a defensive game similiar to football & basketball. Let's swing our cue over our opponents heads in the middle of their stroke. Maybe we can bump into them as well. I know those are extreme but the intention is the same. You do something to make them mess up & mis. That is not how the game was intended to be played.
They even have a penalty in the very physical collision oriented game of football. It's called unsportsman like conduct.
There is a guy that I used to play. He hates losing & would resort to sharking to no end in an attempt to 'beat' me. It got to the point that I will no longer play him. It's simply not worth having to deal with all of that BS.
We each choose the road we take. I prefer honor, integrity, & fair play.
Dechaine doesn't strike me as a team player. Maybe I'm wrong, but just going by what I've observed in the past.
Why is Tiger Woods 13-17-3 in his career at the Ryder Cup but he's won 14 of the 60 career majors he's played in against 150+ player fields (excluding The Masters which typically fields 90-100 players) of the best players on the planet ?
Why does Roger Federer have a 247-37 career record in majors (87%), yet he's only 43-15 (74%) in Davis Cup play where the competition is usually subpar for most countries?
He has also dogged it the few times I've watched him play, so it was of my opinion that his attitude and tendency to come up weak under pressure (from what I've seen) would make his play be off during the pressure of the Cup.
As for Shuff, he was a rookie, no matter how you slice it. I just didn't think he was seasoned enough to withstand the pressure. Not saying any other rookie might have done better, it was just my opinion. Hence, the reason I predicted they would dog it before the cup started.
Thanks for the info, Ray. I asked about Dechaine chiefly because I was very familiar with his record in 2012. I was far less familiarm with Shuff's reults.
Thanks for your reply. I hope both Mike and Brandon make next year's team and show us that they are a year wiser. Something to look forward to.
believe me whenI say....
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the European players gel so well because Johan Ruysink is an amazing coach-his abilty to draw out the potential in a player is extraordinary.
I met him in NY 2008, 14.1
and I witnessed the Europeans exuberant yet humble in their victory.
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the European players gel so well because Johan Ruysink is an amazing coach-his abilty to draw out the potential in a player is extraordinary.
I met him in NY 2008, 14.1
and I witnessed the Europeans exuberant yet humble in their victory.
Electric!
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It's unimaginable how the crowd influences the atmosphere-
the difference in the American and English events-
Americans are silent and still because there's a gamblers mentality- whereas the English, stage "events' meant to draw the audience into participation; the audience recognises the value of being on TV;
hence the chants, costumes- anything to garner attention for the camera's-it's brilliant!!!:grin:
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It's unimaginable how the crowd influences the atmosphere-
the difference in the American and English events-
Americans are silent and still because there's a gamblers mentality- whereas the English, stage "events' meant to draw the audience into participation; the audience recognises the value of being on TV;
hence the chants, costumes- anything to garner attention for the camera's-it's brilliant!!!:grin:
I'd love to meet Johan Ruysink. Seems like a great guy and coach.
So you prefer to see American-style events -- no spectators and you may not get paid and you probably will not make expenses. Do you really think that's better than having to put up with an occasional distraction from the audience, all expenses paid and guaranteed money even if you lose? You may want to poll US players who have been in the Mosconi Cup to see how many support your idea of a boycott.
I wish the event was back in London next year
Just to "let the truth be known," the American players were not "upset" at this years Mosconi Cup crowd {as a whole}. Johnny had an unpleasant moment with one of their fans, and that's to be expected considering the alcohol and it's simply "not an exact science," when it comes to staging this type event.
We did have some negative moments, however, to have less than 10 "moments" out of hundreds in four days is as good as can be expected. {imo} Like I told our players "we can't control the crowds, we can only control ourselves - expect a lot of "sounds" and prepare yourselves for it."
I, for one, expected the crowd to be much worse than they were. When I was Captain/Player in 96 the crowds were so bad they stopped the alcohol consumption in the auditorium on the second day. This year was nowhere near that volatile (overall), except for a couple of "bad apples".
We will agree that we were up against all odds (their bookmakers made us 2/1 underdogs), however, that's the way it should be (Imo). I told the players on the second day that if they're not firing guns or throwing things at us it's our responsibility to retain our concentration. The personal remark Johnny pointed out was also uncalled for, and I would back any of our players for standing up for what they thought was right (at any given moment).
Some of us wish the event was back in London next year, I'd personally like another shot at their "home field". Winning in Las Vegas won't be near as satisfying as it would be to win in London. The USA crowd isn't capable of creating the atmosphere that the English one does, they wouldn't even know where to start. I mean really, how many Christmas songs can we make out of the American Players names anyway? :groucho:
Just to "let the truth be known," the American players were not "upset" at this years Mosconi Cup crowd {as a whole}. Johnny had an unpleasant moment with one of their fans, and that's to be expected considering the alcohol and it's simply "not an exact science," when it comes to staging this type event.
We did have some negative moments, however, to have less than 10 "moments" out of hundreds in four days is as good as can be expected. {imo} Like I told our players "we can't control the crowds, we can only control ourselves - expect a lot of "sounds" and prepare yourselves for it."
I, for one, expected the crowd to be much worse than they were. When I was Captain/Player in 96 the crowds were so bad they stopped the alcohol consumption in the auditorium on the second day. This year was nowhere near that volatile (overall), except for a couple of "bad apples".
We will agree that we were up against all odds (their bookmakers made us 2/1 underdogs), however, that's the way it should be (Imo). I told the players on the second day that if they're not firing guns or throwing things at us it's our responsibility to retain our concentration. The personal remark Johnny pointed out was also uncalled for, and I would back any of our players for standing up for what they thought was right (at any given moment).
Some of us wish the event was back in London next year, I'd personally like another shot at their "home field". Winning in Las Vegas won't be near as satisfying as it would be to win in London. The USA crowd isn't capable of creating the atmosphere that the English one does, they wouldn't even know where to start. I mean really, how many Christmas songs can we make out of the American Players names anyway? :groucho:
I was there for every match and that is not what happened.
Wow, so was I and according to the players it was about 99% of the time. They couldnt stand it. Not picking a fight Bob, i respect you lots but your a bit off here.
best
eric
here your 1000000% right, the guys love it!! well one guy right afterwards didnt, but im sure that was just because he had a tough time.
What I saw from the balcony was that the crowd was noisy between shots but when the player was down on the shot they were pretty quiet if not silent. What did you see?
I agree that occasionally there was some noise or comment on or close to a shot, but that seemed to me to be rare and only from a few problem people. There was one of those behind me, and he made some really obnoxious comments but I think he was quiet on the shots.