Player of the year for 2005???

R

recoveryjones

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
At 16 years old Wu win's the World 8 ball and 9 ball titles.Is he a slam dunk for pool player of the year?Is this thing even close?

If you don't think Wu should be player of the year, who do you think should be and why?
RJ
 
Only three names deserve any consideration here:

Wu, whose case you have already made.

Reyes
Derby City Nine Ball title, Derby City One Pocket Title, IPT King of the Hill 8-ball title. Winning major titles in three different disciplines is a great accomplishment.

Hohmann
BCA Open title, European Straight Pool title, 5th at the WPC.

I think my vote goes to Mr Reyes, with Wu a close second and Hohmann a distant third.
 
Marlon Manalo should be in consideration too. Maybe someone who's followed his progress in 2005 can list his achievements. ??
 
Player of the Year: Efren Reyes

Most improved player of the Year: Marlon Manalo

To me that sounds better...

Shorty
 
Looking at the year of 2005 as a whole, I choose two players: Marlon Manalo and Shawn Putnam.

JMHO, FWIW!

JAM
 
Definately Marlon Manalo. He won over $200,000 this year, and so did Efren with his IPT victory. I think Marlon impressed just about everyone. There is not a damn person in the world that will play him even 9-ball, I guarantee it.
 
Though Marlon and Efren made big scores towards the end of 2005, it is important to remember that the Texas Hold'em Billiards Championship had a limited cast of players, and the IPT KOTH Shootout, though it did have 44 players in total on the roster, was an invitational event as well.

Marlon did win back-to-back "open" events when he first hit the States earlier in the year.

Efren Reyes started off 2005 with a bang, snapping off the DCC all-around player title.

Shawn Putnam has also enjoyed a good showing, himself winning back-to-back events, the now-defunct Hilton-sponsored tournament in Pittsburgh and the pro event at the Super Billiards Expo in Valley Forge.

I do not think the player who wins the most money is a statistically significant factor since some events may be invitationals and/or have much larger payouts than others. However, the above-referenced three players have all shined brightly in the year 2005, IMHO.

JAM
 
JAM said:
Though Marlon and Efren made big scores towards the end of 2005, it is important to remember that the Texas Hold'em Billiards Championship had a limited cast of players, and the IPT KOTH Shootout, though it did have 44 players in total on the roster, was an invitational event as well.

Marlon did win back-to-back "open" events when he first hit the States earlier in the year.

Efren Reyes started off 2005 with a bang, snapping off the DCC all-around player title.

Shawn Putnam has also enjoyed a good showing, himself winning back-to-back events, the now-defunct Hilton-sponsored tournament in Pittsburgh and the pro event at the Super Billiards Expo in Valley Forge.

I do not think the player who wins the most money is a statistically significant factor since some events may be invitationals and/or have much larger payouts than others. However, the above-referenced three players have all shined brightly in the year 2005, IMHO.

JAM
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No arguments from me on this one. :) Shawn also played in the Patriot Cup, sudden death 7-ball, and the Mosconi Cup. None of which he had played in before. All were invites due to the "break out" year he had. He definitely came out like a lion winning the 1st two UPA events but he didn't go out like a lamb... he had a strong showing in most tournaments this yr with the exception of a few. The last showing of the year for Shawn was the recent Mosconi Cup in which he did quite well and helped the team win. I definitely agree with the others mentioned but they've already proven themselves in the past....This was Shawn's first year of proving himself and bringing his game to the next level. Like Jennie said... JMHO FWIW ;)
 
Well I reckon any fella that can have a nickname like "The Love Sponge" is alright with me ;)

Shawn is a great person from what I have read and seen on the Internet. I look forward to one day meeting him and his great personality in person.

I wasn't meaning to discredit him in any way by not mentioning his name among my the choices for player and improved player...but it would definitely be a close vote as we have really had some quality pool to look back upon for 2005. I can't wait to see what 2006 has to offer with the IPT and DCC coming up soon.

Shorty
 
Colin Colenso said:
Marlon Manalo should be in consideration too. Maybe someone who's followed his progress in 2005 can list his achievements. ??
Click to expand...
Marlon Manalo gets my vote, although Wu is a very close second. Wu didn't compete in as many international tournaments, but the two in which Wu did compete he won. Note that Marlon didn't compete in the WPC 8ball competition (I still don't know the reason why he withdrew). But we should also note that Wu didn't compete in KOTH. I think they faced off against each other twice this year and they both won one match (Wu winning in WPC 9ball and Manalo winning in Green Time Super Cup). Both had great achievements in both 9ball and 8ball this year. However, the tie-breaker for me is Manalo's straight pool win at New Jersey.
 
Shorty said:
Player of the Year: Efren Reyes

Most improved player of the Year: Marlon Manalo

To me that sounds better...

Shorty
Click to expand...

That's dead on. Manalo didn't win any of the important titles against deep and elite international fields, but emerged as a major force in our sport. He's clearly one of the favorites to be the 2006 player of the year, looking ready to win something big real soon. I'm fine with Shawn Putnam as the most imprroved American player in 2005.
 
Some intresting responses so far.I do agree that all the players mentioned are worthy of consideration.

Two reasons why I pick Wu.

1. Both his wins were WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS against an elite field.The very best players in the world were present.Not to take away from Manalo, Putnam and Hohmann as the fields they faced were very tough as well.

2. He's SIXTEEN years old!!!!!!!!!


In Summary:

Yes Reyes is a more versatile player than Wu with much more experience and undoubtingly still a more complete professional pool player.Having said that, player of the Year awards(in other sports) don't neccesarily go to who is the best player. It's true that what they've done in a callender year, merit huge consideration(as Reyes did) and anyone can have a hot year.Player of the year is NOT about who the better player is.

I just think that Wu's accomplishments, 2 WORLD Titles at SIXTEEN years old is a phenomenal accomplishment, of legendary proportions.I can't think of another sport where someone dominanted so young.If he's not "the player of the year", he's definitley "The Story of the Year"!!!

JMO,
RJ
 
recoveryjones said:
Some intresting responses so far.I do agree that all the players mentioned are worthy of consideration.

Two reasons why I pick Wu.

1. Both his wins were WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS against an elite field.The very best players in the world were present.Not to take away from Manalo, Putnam and Hohmann as the fields they faced were very tough as well.

2. He's SIXTEEN years old!!!!!!!!!


In Summary:

Yes Reyes is a more versatile player than Wu with much more experience and undoubtingly still a more complete professional pool player.Having said that, player of the Year awards(in other sports) don't neccesarily go to who is the best player. It's true that what they've done in a callender year, merit huge consideration(as Reyes did) and anyone can have a hot year.Player of the year is NOT about who the better player is.

I just think that Wu's accomplishments, 2 WORLD Titles at SIXTEEN years old is a phenomenal accomplishment, of legendary proportions.I can't think of another sport where someone dominanted so young.If he's not "the player of the year", he's definitley "The Story of the Year"!!!

JMO,
RJ
Click to expand...
You're correct in mentioning that "player of the year" should not necessarily go to the best overall player. If that's the case, then Reyes would win it every year. But I also don't think age should be a factor in determining player of the year as well.

Although I do think it's certainly impressive that Wu is only 16, his age shouldn't be one of the determining factors, because that will only handicap the achievements of other players, such as Pagulayan, Hohmann, Manalo. If age is a factor, then you can also argue that Reyes should win it since he's the only player in his 50s that is still winning major tournaments (although Parica came very close in the US Open).

I'm not saying that Wu doesn't deserve the title, but by considering age into the equation, in a sense you're diluting his achievements this year.
 
recoveryjones said:
I just think that Wu's accomplishments, 2 WORLD Titles at SIXTEEN years old is a phenomenal accomplishment, of legendary proportions.I can't think of another sport where someone dominanted so young.If he's not "the player of the year", he's definitley "The Story of the Year"!!!
Click to expand...

Not fair to say Wu dominated, but he definitely made his mark. The other sport where teens have often reached the limelight very young is women's tennis where Evert and Hingis (and, to a lesser extent, Capriati) had very impressive professional resumes by seventeen.
 
cuetechasaurus said:
Definately Marlon Manalo. He won over $200,000 this year, and so did Efren with his IPT victory. I think Marlon impressed just about everyone. There is not a damn person in the world that will play him even 9-ball, I guarantee it.
Click to expand...

Oh yes there is.
 
jsp said:
You're correct in mentioning that "player of the year" should not necessarily go to the best overall player. If that's the case, then Reyes would win it every year. But I also don't think age should be a factor in determining player of the year as well.

Although I do think it's certainly impressive that Wu is only 16, his age shouldn't be one of the determining factors, because that will only handicap the achievements of other players, such as Pagulayan, Hohmann, Manalo. If age is a factor, then you can also argue that Reyes should win it since he's the only player in his 50s that is still winning major tournaments (although Parica came very close in the US Open).

I'm not saying that Wu doesn't deserve the title, but by considering age into the equation, in a sense you're diluting his achievements this year.
Click to expand...

You bring up some valid points, that I agree with.Reyes would win player of the year every year if it were based on talent and versatility alone.Him still winning at 50 is amazing.I'm glad that you realize that player of the year nominations(in all sports in general) is not about who is that sports best player. Wu's two World championships speak for themselves, no matter what the age.
RJ
 
sjm said:
Not fair to say Wu dominated, but he definitely made his mark. The other sport where teens have often reached the limelight very young is women's tennis where Evert and Hingis (and, to a lesser extent, Capriati) had very impressive professional resumes by seventeen.
Click to expand...

Good points SJM.
I'm still shocked that someone could win two World Championships at 16.....that's all.
Take care, RJ
 
who wins world 8, and 9 same year case closed!

if this kid won both the world 8 ball and the world 9 ball.
its hands down wu! and hes 16!!!!! is this the next efrin!!!

i mean the toughest tournaments to win is the world9 ball and 8ball.
and the toughest fields.

who wins both in the same year. name someone?


as great as alex pagalyon is he wasnt that stought as a 16 year old.

16 wow i would say look out pool world in the future!!
 
johnrp2005 said:
if this kid won both the world 8 ball and the world 9 ball.
its hands down wu! and hes 16!!!!! is this the next efrin!!!

i mean the toughest tournaments to win is the world9 ball and 8ball.
and the toughest fields.

who wins both in the same year. name someone?


as great as alex pagalyon is he wasnt that stought as a 16 year old.

16 wow i would say look out pool world in the future!!
Click to expand...

Tap! Tap! Tap!

I'm glad at least one other poster recognizes what Wu did is nothing short of Freakin' incredible!!!!!

How he does for the rest of his career remaims to be seen and labeling him the "next Efren" is a rather lofty expectation."Player of the Year"....no doubt in my mind. "World Eight ball and World Nine ball champ"....Yes....all other labels must be earned.

Stay tuned folks.

RJ
 
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