Oscar Left Out of Mosconi Cup... Again
- Thread starter Fast Lenny
- Start date
That's correct.
It really doesn't matter who got that fifth spot - this team has about a 1 in 6 chance of winning despite the European team selecting Appleton, who quite frankly has not been anywhere near his expected form this year.
But think about it - neither Mika Immonen or David Alcaide made the European team. Does anyone in their right mind think either of them would not be on the American team if they could be?
But think about it - neither Mika Immonen or David Alcaide made the European team. Does anyone in their right mind think either of them would not be on the American team if they could be?
Have any of you seen Oscar and Justin play?
Justin is the better player, PERIOD!!!
The better player was selected and Team USA will have a good shot at winning this year.
Justin is the better player, PERIOD!!!
The better player was selected and Team USA will have a good shot at winning this year.
That explains why some people get picked not just this year but also in the past.
There is no doubt in my mind about Justin's ability but Oscar is often overlooked and always top 6 in points each year. Reminds me of Thorsten being number 1 in the world and not getting on the team. Oscar has a ton of heart and is a grinder. Why even do the points when we know who are best 5 are already. It's a good way to get people following the cup all year, brilliant move getting the rabbits to chase that carrot.
Well they are supposed to be professional pool players.
I would think they would want to travel and play in as many tournaments as they could afford.
I personally feel bad for Oscar. I've known him for a long time (since before he even considered becoming a pro). He has a lot on the plate between his own tour, his pro appearances, his work at home and his upcoming wedding. He started off great this year on MC points and I expected him to make the team.
Aside from my personal feelings, he chose this life as a pro player. With that comes this sort of disappointment. If he wants to make the Mosconi Cup, he has to clinch it. If not, he throws his fate to the wind.
Chasing a dream and making a living are two different things. For a 10K (losers) or 20K (winners) purse, it may not be a worthwhile pursuit.
Aside from my personal feelings, he chose this life as a pro player. With that comes this sort of disappointment. If he wants to make the Mosconi Cup, he has to clinch it. If not, he throws his fate to the wind.
Chasing a dream and making a living are two different things. For a 10K (losers) or 20K (winners) purse, it may not be a worthwhile pursuit.
Sometimes in life you have to make decisions that you may not like but you do so because it might help you in the future ,
He along with Shuff n Sossei collaborated not to go with the team to England last time
IMHO a very stupid move I know Brandon and talked to him about it and I told him I didn't think that was a smart move ,, in life to succeed you have to do things you don't want to do ,most pool players play pool because they want to do what they want when they want renigades sorta speak every man for himself
If I'm putting a team together and it comes down to pics I'm remembering that if it's close I'm certainly not taking a player that snubbed me
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In my opinion, expecting the players who didn't make the team to go to England was ridiculous. If I was in that position I wouldn't go either and i think it was dumb to expect them to. They are high level competitors that didn't make the cut. If someone doesn't understand that then they have never been in that position or they are a lot more accommodating than most professionals. If someone holds that against them they are probably a nit. (I am sure if Earl had tried to make the team and got cut he would have been more than happy to fly to England to be a cheerleader, he probably would have brought his PomPoms.)
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im sorry but how does oscar not getting picked equate to when thorsten got overlooked? oscar hasnt won anything this year other than his own mezz tour and travelling the world playing in every MC event and just barely beating JB out who didnt play in any of the international events
Thorsten a multi world champion and at the time current 9 ball world champ doesnt get selected for euro team just how is that remotely similar?
If I remember correctly (and I might not), but the 8 players agreed before the decision to cut down to 5 to the alternate coaching positions. Instead, they decided not to go because they didn't make the team. If the players had an issue about that set up, the time to make a statement was before the decision. They all agreed to support the team. Sometimes there are consequences for your actions not saying that has what happened here. Make the top 3 and you are in otherwise it's out of your hands.
Thorsten did not get "snubbed" the one year he was ranked #1 or super high, but didn't get picked. Yes, many people here thought he did, and made posts to such affect. But, the criteria for picking the players had been set, and were based on events that occurred before Thorsten went on his winning spree.
Same thing with Oscar. He did not get snubbed. He is simply a lower level than the other guys picked. If Oscar were to meet Justin in a major tournament, there would not be a single person in the action room that would bet on Oscar, with even odds. Not a single person.
Oscar is a great guy, and popular, and posts on here. That's why he has a really nice fan base, that feel he got snubbed. I understand it, but you can't let popularity get in the way of the ability to win a match.
Slightly off topic, but as has been brought up many times, Europe can assemble at least 15 players, or 3 teams, and still be stronger than USA's best team of 5. We only have 3 players currently at the top level. Shane, Deschane, Bergman. The rest of our players are a notable level lower, ether due to older age (Rodney, Archer), or due to simply never having been as good a player (Oscar, Danny Smith). With that said, to not have our top 3 current players on the team would be rediculous. The only way any of these 3 guys (Shane, Deschaine, Bergman) should not automatically be on the team for the next decade is if we suddenly get a group of teenagers who become their level. The rest of our current players will never be the level of these 3, because they have all already peaked.
Same thing with Oscar. He did not get snubbed. He is simply a lower level than the other guys picked. If Oscar were to meet Justin in a major tournament, there would not be a single person in the action room that would bet on Oscar, with even odds. Not a single person.
Oscar is a great guy, and popular, and posts on here. That's why he has a really nice fan base, that feel he got snubbed. I understand it, but you can't let popularity get in the way of the ability to win a match.
Slightly off topic, but as has been brought up many times, Europe can assemble at least 15 players, or 3 teams, and still be stronger than USA's best team of 5. We only have 3 players currently at the top level. Shane, Deschane, Bergman. The rest of our players are a notable level lower, ether due to older age (Rodney, Archer), or due to simply never having been as good a player (Oscar, Danny Smith). With that said, to not have our top 3 current players on the team would be rediculous. The only way any of these 3 guys (Shane, Deschaine, Bergman) should not automatically be on the team for the next decade is if we suddenly get a group of teenagers who become their level. The rest of our current players will never be the level of these 3, because they have all already peaked.
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Fear not USA Fans, I'll pick up the slack!
Andrew, once they pick you, Europe better hope they don't start playing any banks!!!
OD had agreed to go *and then* bailed at the last moment. It was not just a simple case of choosing not to go.
And what would show me something is a player fulfilling his promise, going with the team, and being a gopher doing whatever nitnoid thing was needed and sitting in the stands and rooting for his fellow countrymen.
Flash forward two years and if that same guy is in the running, that looks pretty good to a coach and promoter when they recall the guy who came through. OR, they can remember how he bailed on his team.
Actions have consequences and the sooner pro pool players figure that one out the better off they'll be.
Lou Figueroa
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