no offense intended - but?

R

robeyeshua

Registered
where are the american players - i haven't played in over 20 years but still love the game - i don't come to this site a lot anymore but today when i glanced at the money list - it blew me away - i only knew a few names on the list and where are the american players
 
You mean the "AzB Money Leaderboard"?

U.S. players = Van Boening, Morris, Archer, Dechaine, Strickland, Williams
 
thats my point

6 names - 20 years ago - i know thats a long time BUT there would have been almostno players from out of country
 
It is sobering, but let's look at the numbers:

There is 1 American in the top 20 in the World Pool rankings, while in tennis, there are 3 Americans in the top 20 in the ATP rankings.

I think the tennis statistic is far more shocking when you consider how much money is pumped into US tennis compared to pool (e.g., world renowned training academies, junior programs, world class tournaments, etc.).
 
robeyeshua said:
where are the american players - i haven't played in over 20 years but still love the game - i don't come to this site a lot anymore but today when i glanced at the money list - it blew me away - i only knew a few names on the list and where are the american players
Click to expand...

So much has changed in the last twenty years in the world pool scene, I couldn't even begin to tell you. In a nutshell, the American players are no longer the dominant players worldwide. That said, we still have some big guns, who can hang with anyone.
 
American players?

There are not many American players that can compete on the world tour, no one has spent any time developing young talent and the money board reflects this lack of effort.

Got to get pool back in front of the masses, ESPN where are you??? I have 9 channels of ESPN in my package and NO POOL???? Rugby, Poker, BMX, bull riding and more replays of the same old same old than I can stomach!!

It's sad, but if no one see's the sport played at the top levels, no one will get the bug to play it at the top level. When I saw Fats banling on TV, black and white tv, I decided I would learn to bank like that...., I had the bug and i still do, no one in this country see's the best of the pool world anymore, so that way the money board looks like it does!
 
American players?

There are not many American players that can compete on the world tour, no one has spent any time developing young talent and the money board reflects this lack of effort.

Got to get pool back in front of the masses, ESPN where are you??? I have 9 channels of ESPN in my package and NO POOL???? Rugby, Poker, BMX, bull riding and more replays of the same old same old than I can stomach!!

It's sad, but if no one see's the sport played at the top levels, no one will get the bug to play it at the top level. When I saw Fats banling on TV, black and white tv, I decided I would learn to bank like that...., I had the bug and i still do, no one in this country see's the best of the pool world anymore, so that way the money board looks like it does!
 
robeyeshua said:
where are the american players - i haven't played in over 20 years but still love the game - i don't come to this site a lot anymore but today when i glanced at the money list - it blew me away - i only knew a few names on the list and where are the american players
Click to expand...

I'm sick of this patriotic crap. Who cares where a guy comes from? Believe me, I'm not perfect, I expressed my fair share of resentment for foreigners when I was younger, and I still do it occasionally even to this day.

But even back when I played I always wondered why all the players were American. Well, it wasn't too long ago they didn't even have pool tables in Europe or South America and many other places - only billiard snooker and tables.

This is a big world. Why should anyone be surprised that Americans can't dominate everything the same as they do other countries and cultures by way of having superior toys of war. Ok, so Americans can't dominate, so what? Take a look at the map (not you, Halpert - I'm talking about everyone) - and you will see that the US is a pretty small place compared to the rest of the world.

You don't see many good players coming out of Africa though, do you? I have a feeling that things are so tough in the world today that almost takes being born wealthy to become good at anything. It takes a lot of money these days to devote yourself to hours of practice.

I don't care who is the best. I only know I could have been one of them if I had tried harder. But I hate trying, at anything. And I still do. If I can't be great without trying, then being great aint worth it.

Tommy Joe
The Lazy Man's Player
 
robeyeshua said:
where are the american players - i haven't played in over 20 years but still love the game - i don't come to this site a lot anymore but today when i glanced at the money list - it blew me away - i only knew a few names on the list and where are the american players
Click to expand...

This will require blind trust, but try to believe me when I say, they are working normal jobs so they can pay for their health care, housing, food etc. People MUST have resources to be ABLE to put the time, effort and thought in. Show me a Michael Phelps that works 7 hour days and i'll show you a talented guy coming home with not even one gold metal.
 
American players

Good point about America not be the big gun in pool because the world has caught up...., The internet, good equipment, players traveling and sharing information, etc..., I dont care who wins, so long as the game is played at a high level, but if you look at the numbers, it aint all bad.

There are 8-10 American Players that can compete with anybody, 5-6 guys from Europe and 5 - 6 guys from Japan, the balance of power is from China and the Philippines and only a hand few of them show up for state side events.

If you talk 8 ball, banks or One Pocket, the score changes.
 
Tommy Joe said:
I'm sick of this patriotic crap. Who cares where a guy comes from? Believe me, I'm not perfect, I expressed my fair share of resentment for foreigners when I was younger, and I still do it occasionally even to this day.

But even back when I played I always wondered why all the players were American. Well, it wasn't too long ago they didn't even have pool tables in Europe or South America and many other places - only billiard snooker and tables.

This is a big world. Why should anyone be surprised that Americans can't dominate everything the same as they do other countries and cultures by way of having superior toys of war. Ok, so Americans can't dominate, so what? Take a look at the map (not you, Halpert - I'm talking about everyone) - and you will see that the US is a pretty small place compared to the rest of the world.

You don't see many good players coming out of Africa though, do you? I have a feeling that things are so tough in the world today that almost takes being born wealthy to become good at anything. It takes a lot of money these days to devote yourself to hours of practice.

I don't care who is the best. I only know I could have been one of them if I had tried harder. But I hate trying, at anything. And I still do. If I can't be great without trying, then being great aint worth it.

Tommy Joe
The Lazy Man's Player
Click to expand...

well said..!
 
I hope that most of your post is meant as a joke.

not sure what the rant is about, but:

I for one don't care if you are tired of "patiotic crap".

SLIM

tommy joe said:
i'm sick of this patriotic crap. Who cares where a guy comes from? Believe me, i'm not perfect, i expressed my fair share of resentment for foreigners when i was younger, and i still do it occasionally even to this day.

But even back when i played i always wondered why all the players were american. Well, it wasn't too long ago they didn't even have pool tables in europe or south america and many other places - only billiard snooker and tables.

This is a big world. Why should anyone be surprised that americans can't dominate everything the same as they do other countries and cultures by way of having superior toys of war. Ok, so americans can't dominate, so what? Take a look at the map (not you, halpert - i'm talking about everyone) - and you will see that the us is a pretty small place compared to the rest of the world.

You don't see many good players coming out of africa though, do you? I have a feeling that things are so tough in the world today that almost takes being born wealthy to become good at anything. It takes a lot of money these days to devote yourself to hours of practice.

I don't care who is the best. I only know i could have been one of them if i had tried harder. But i hate trying, at anything. And i still do. If i can't be great without trying, then being great aint worth it.

Tommy joe
the lazy man's player
Click to expand...
 
Tommy Joe said:
I only know I could have been one of them if I had tried harder. But I hate trying, at anything. And I still do. If I can't be great without trying, then being great aint worth it.

Tommy Joe
The Lazy Man's Player
Click to expand...

No offense dude, but I think you just answered your own question.

That's what's wrong with our american youth
 
I don't find it all that complicated. There's no way a game can be great without involving youth in it. In America you can generally only enter pool halls/bars if you are 21 or over.

Where are the national Jr. Championships? Kids leauges? Forget it. Without young talent there won't be great adult talent.

This game isn't setup in America for future greatness and success.
 
robeyeshua said:
6 names - 20 years ago - i know thats a long time BUT there would have been almostno players from out of country
Click to expand...

Thats because players from other countries did not come over to the USA to play in the events. The game changed and went global. The USA dominated when the USA was pretty much the sole participant in the sport, go figure.

I would agree that the USA is actually dropping in the ranks and has few younger players coming up who look to be dominant future champs. SVB is a given, but when you look at Taiwan/China and see how many early 20's players they have that play "WORLD CLASS" the USA does not even come close to having that type of stable of upcoming players. Archer, Strickland and Morris are good but they are getting up there in age and there does not seem to be many players to come in and take their place. SVB, "maybe" Dechaine but IMO he is not even close to the level of some of the Taiwan players the same age as he is.

North America if they want to compete on the world stage in this sport with more then pinning ALL of the future hopes of pool on SVB are going to need to do what Taiwan has done and create a training program and in time this sport NEEDS an actual professional tour instead of a scatter of independently run events.
 
King T said:
There are not many American players that can compete on the world tour, no one has spent any time developing young talent and the money board reflects this lack of effort.

Got to get pool back in front of the masses, ESPN where are you??? I have 9 channels of ESPN in my package and NO POOL???? Rugby, Poker, BMX, bull riding and more replays of the same old same old than I can stomach!!

It's sad, but if no one see's the sport played at the top levels, no one will get the bug to play it at the top level. When I saw Fats banling on TV, black and white tv, I decided I would learn to bank like that...., I had the bug and i still do, no one in this country see's the best of the pool world anymore, so that way the money board looks like it does!
Click to expand...

Forget ESPN they think a spelling bee is a sport.
 
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