Pool Needs Another Hong Kong Challenge

[fast&loose designs]

I'm sure it's been discussed before, but I think it's worth mentioning again. TAR is the closest thing we have to that epic Hong Kong Challenge in 1996 between Earl and Efren, but it lacks one important element: Proximity.

That match featured a few close-range cameras that captured the game in a way no one had ever seen before. It was a very detailed, intimate look at the beautiful dynamics of the players and the table. It seems plausible for TAR to re-create that today.

Thoughts?

 

[macneilb]

I'm sure it's been discussed before, but I think it's worth mentioning again. TAR is the closest thing we have to that epic Hong Kong Challenge in 1996 between Earl and Efren, but it lacks one important element: Proximity.

That match featured a few close-range cameras that captured the game in a way no one had ever seen before. It was a very detailed, intimate look at the beautiful dynamics of the players and the table. It seems plausible for TAR to re-create that today.

Thoughts?

The camera angles weren't what made that match epic, they just captured things better for us to see. So many other factors made it special.. You two of the greatest players of the time, in their primes, from opposite sides of the world - Earl, one of the most explosive and dominating players of all time matching up with Efren, one of the most creative and cunning players of all time. That clash of styles is a huge part of what made it exciting. Add in the fact that they were both genuinely "going for it" - shooting (as well as making) the crazy difficult thin cuts and hard banks that most guys would opt to play safe on now (tighter equipment) made it ALOT more exciting. Add that to the fact that it was 100K in Hong Kong. That..AND Efren made a HUGE comeback..That's what makes an epic match up . I love TAR's work, however if they duplicated that set-up, it still just wouldn't be the same for the above reasons. You can't duplicate "epic" with better camera-work

 

[LHP5]

Big problem with having another Color of Money match is who is going to play? I believe there was another match dubbed the Color of Money II featuring Dennis Orcollo and Yang Ching Sun, but I don't think it captivated the full attention of the pool world as Efren and Earl did. I'm positive that back then, and even today, Efren and Earl are two of the biggest names to ever wield a cue. Name two other players who garner as much respect in pool abilities as those two who are currently in their primes today? For the US the only player that even remotely resembles the aura that Earl had in his prime is SVB. For that matter who has more of a following between the current SVB or Earl in his prime? There just doesn't seem to be a person who carries that same level of "awe" factor that Efren and Earl had back then and probably still have today.

 

[CreeDo]

Shane Van Boening vs. _________???
With $100,000 in the middle, put up by _________???

Figure out those two, and the other details will work themselves out.

 

[Playin4Dinner]

Shane Van Boening vs. _________???
With $100,000 in the middle, put up by _________???

Figure out those two, and the other details will work themselves out.

There's alot of people that think Svb vs Wu would be a very intriguing match.... I am one of them... Wu's 10-ball break is the only one I've seen comparable to svb's... I think the key would be to have a matchup where the money comes in on both sides equally... A matchup that would be considered a pick-em.... I don't think either one of these players would be favored over the other one in a race to 100...

 

[Nostroke]

There's alot of people that think Svb vs Wu would be a very intriguing match.... I am one of them... Wu's 10-ball break is the only one I've seen comparable to svb's... I think the key would be to have a matchup where the money comes in on both sides equally... A matchup that would be considered a pick-em.... I don't think either one of these players would be favored over the other one in a race to 100...

Is Wu in top pool shape currently or recently?

 

[Black-Balled]

would another Efren/ Earl match be out of line at this point?

I still say it is a near pick-em.

 

[fast&loose designs]

I think a rematch is in order for the two. They are both still masters of the game, and each brings out the others' best game. I think TAR would make a killing hosting that, and keeping to the same format ($100k, race to 100, 9 ball, limited crowd and close-quarters hand-held cameras.

It would not only be an awesome rematch, but it would rejuvenate that incredible rivalry of US v Philippines.

 

[justadub]

I think a rematch is in order for the two. They are both still masters of the game, and each brings out the others' best game. I think TAR would make a killing hosting that, and keeping to the same format ($100k, race to 100, 9 ball, limited crowd and close-quarters hand-held cameras.

It would not only be an awesome rematch, but it would rejuvenate that incredible rivalry of US v Philippines.

If you wanna go the US vs Phillipines route, AND make it into a must see event, why not have some sort of match involving Earl and Effren, and SVB and Orcullo? Singles and doubles, all around format....the mind reels at the thought.

 

[CreeDo]

There's alot of people that think Svb vs Wu would be a very intriguing match.... I am one of them... Wu's 10-ball break is the only one I've seen comparable to svb's... I think the key would be to have a matchup where the money comes in on both sides equally... A matchup that would be considered a pick-em.... I don't think either one of these players would be favored over the other one in a race to 100...

Actually this is the idea I like the most. I don't think earl or efren will give us perfect play anymore, just flashes of perfection.

I've heard that asia is full of top shelf players, but we're not getting much exposure to them. It might open some eyes to see how these guys when they're motivated.

It looks like his tournament record hasn't been as strong in recent years as it was when he first broke onto the scene. And he's very young. He may shoot as straight as shane, but shane's played a ton of tar-type matches, and if this kid gets nervous he could get demolished. But if he brings his A game I bet it's a very entertaining, close match.

BTW, az needs to fix their player info on this guy, he's listed twice I believe, as wu jia-qing and wu chia-ching. He apparently had to change the spelling when he moved.

 

[sjm]

When Earl played Efren they were the sport's two biggest names, and the emergence of the Fillipinos was, possibly, the biggest story in pool. The rivalry between the Fillipinos and the Americans was at its highest height, and the Europeans were only beginning to emerge.

Today, any two of Appleton, Orcullo, and Van Boening works best. These are the three most visible superstars of the world pool scene, and the most accomplished players in their respective continents of late. These are great rivalries, especially this year, for:

1) Appleton beat Orcullo and then Shane to win the Challenge of Champions, and won the World 9-ball championship with each of the others present

2) Shane topped the field at the Derby City 9-ball event, with Orcullo and Appleton in the field. Shane beat Orcullo in the final to win the USOpen 9-ball event, as well.

3) Orcullo dominated the field at the event at Hard Times, that included Darren and Shane, and then dominated the US Open 10-ball championship, with Shane and Darren in the field.

These three guys are taking turns winning on our sport's bigges stages and I don't see anyone else in the conversation of the current greatest.

For me, I'd like to see Shane vs Dennis, but give me a long match involving any two of Shane, Dennis and Darren and I'll be in seventh heaven. These are the giants of our sport, and guys like Wu and Yang, who don't play in many premier events, are virtually invisible and unworthy of consideration.