I was actually glad Austin didn't look like a 6th grader anymore. That was my whole impression of who was going to be showing up at the challenge match. So although his play was very average, atleast it looked like two adults playing.
He looks like he could be good with some work (this is obvious). Some of the observations of Mike Siegel didn't make too much sense to me. After Murphy had the first break and run which was good, he was almost through his second rack and Mike made a comment on one good to very good position shot (but certainly something a pro should do), that he is now beyond magician status, and that he won't miss another ball. That just totally blew me away, I mean yes I understand if someone isn't really playing that well and then they catch gear that it looks more impressive than if they had been playing that way the whole match. However, that would be the preception of someone who didn't know the game. Mike does, and should know that just because Austin played good for a couple games, that this doesn't mean that much is the larger picture of things. Ironically the rack where Mike started to get really excited Austin didn't get out and lost that rack too.
He also stated that Austin isn't used to tight equipment. Well the match was held at Hollywood Billiards. Anyone who had played there knows the pockets on all the tables they have downstairs are tighter than what they were playing on for the match. So im not really buying the equipment excuse.
Ive seen it a lot where you have a guy (older or younger) that plays really good on a practice table, and then goes to play against someone the play will change dramatically. Thats why I am never impressed with someone that just throws balls on the table and starts to pocket them. I always play from the break and don't take ball in hand, (unless im doing some kind of score keeping test).
Lastly, well we got to see what is in Efren's bag, well im glad I know what kind of cue he plays with now. The MAGIC cue, and his alternate cue, ill have to go out and buy both of those immediately.
But congrats to Austin for getting in there and trying.
He looks like he could be good with some work (this is obvious). Some of the observations of Mike Siegel didn't make too much sense to me. After Murphy had the first break and run which was good, he was almost through his second rack and Mike made a comment on one good to very good position shot (but certainly something a pro should do), that he is now beyond magician status, and that he won't miss another ball. That just totally blew me away, I mean yes I understand if someone isn't really playing that well and then they catch gear that it looks more impressive than if they had been playing that way the whole match. However, that would be the preception of someone who didn't know the game. Mike does, and should know that just because Austin played good for a couple games, that this doesn't mean that much is the larger picture of things. Ironically the rack where Mike started to get really excited Austin didn't get out and lost that rack too.
He also stated that Austin isn't used to tight equipment. Well the match was held at Hollywood Billiards. Anyone who had played there knows the pockets on all the tables they have downstairs are tighter than what they were playing on for the match. So im not really buying the equipment excuse.
Ive seen it a lot where you have a guy (older or younger) that plays really good on a practice table, and then goes to play against someone the play will change dramatically. Thats why I am never impressed with someone that just throws balls on the table and starts to pocket them. I always play from the break and don't take ball in hand, (unless im doing some kind of score keeping test).
Lastly, well we got to see what is in Efren's bag, well im glad I know what kind of cue he plays with now. The MAGIC cue, and his alternate cue, ill have to go out and buy both of those immediately.
But congrats to Austin for getting in there and trying.
