Very astute, Dave.
The format, though not designed to minimize the skill set of SVB, does, to some extent, accomplish it, by increasing reliance on after-the-break skills. The same can be said of Dechaine, America's other huge breaker whose after-the-break skills aren't as strong as they might be.
Mostly well judged, Dave, but it's not this simple.
SVB has won the DCC one pocket, he has been second at the DCC bank pool, and even came second in the Dragon World 14.1 event. By every reasonable standard, SVB is a great all around talent well versed in multiple disciplines. In rotation pool, he can string racks better than anyone, due to his huge break, and his "packages" inflict some psychological damage on opponents who must sit in the chair for long stretches. Who can forget the US Open semifinal in October in which Jayson Shaw went to the chair with a 6-0 lead and didn't come back to the table until Shane had pulled to within 6-5?
Dechaine has been second in the DCC one pocket, has a top five in the Dragon World 14.1 event, and is quite skilled at three cushion. He, too, must be judged a fine all-around player skilled in multiple disciplines, and, like SVB, often relies on being able to string racks together.
In rotation pool, both Shane and Mike shine brightest with winner breaks and either a) break from the box or b) a tough illegal break rule. At the Mosconi Cup, they get neither, and it makes them rely on some other skills which are less refined, skills in which they have, seemingly, not improved in the last few years.
.... so there is more to it than getting great all around players.
I really don't think we sent the wrong team, I just feel that our team failed to learn the lessons of Mosconi Cups past, which should have motivated some of them to work on certain parts of their games. Bergman, though a far less formidable breaker, is a more complete nine-ball player than either Shane or Mike, and perhaps they could learn something from him. If we had a player captain, Bergman would be the best possible choice.