Predator WPA World Teams Championship (10 Ball), 8-12 Nov, Puerto Rico, Winning Team $120K

Watching all this in person, I can now say:

1) I'm a huge fan of Josh's game. Watching him is watching an artist at work, unlike any other player going.

2) I'm not at all fan of his actions off the table. He and Pia seem a perfect match by the "opposites attract" adage. She seems to be a real sweetheart.
 
skogstokig said:
yep. did chang dance in triumph earlier in the match? i don't understand why josh did the earl dance after his (non-deciding) spot shot
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Chang did it against Great Britain, then Burford did a little copy of it.
I think Josh tried to Shark them bu doing it as it was at the sudden death time. Also probably Chang was trying to do the same when he did.
Lots of emotions after that win pia was in tears and Josh was so pumped!
 
In just about any given month, two things are assured on the AZB forum: 1) some will complain about how Jayson Shaw conducts himself in the arena of play, and 2) some will complain about how Josh Filler conducts himself in the arena of play.

In truth, these are two of the most animated and enthusiastic players in the game and I wish we had many more like them, because players like them sell pool worldwide better than just about anybody.

The complainers need to calm down.
 
Monti said:
Chang did it against Great Britain, then Burford did a little copy of it.
I think Josh tried to Shark them bu doing it as it was at the sudden death time. Also probably Chang was trying to do the same when he did.
Lots of emotions after that win pia was in tears and Josh was so pumped!
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gotcha. didn't watch that match.
 
AtLarge said:
I loved seeing Pia make the deciding shot and her emotions afterward. Her smile lights up my room.
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yea i've been impressed by her all year. probably the most improved adult player. i don't think 40 fargo points is an exaggeration, maybe even more
 
skogstokig said:
yea i've been impressed by her all year. probably the most improved adult player. i don't think 40 fargo points is an exaggeration, maybe even more
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It's worth taking note that Pia also played some great pool in Match 3, the scotch doubles match in the final against Chinese Taipei, that kept Germany in with a chance for the title. Without this, she never gets to shoot the winning ten ball in the shootout.

As others have noted, Pia's a lovely lady and a fast-improving competitor. While the influence of her husband and coach are foundations on which her growing success lies, I think her special qualities are dedication and full accountability for her results. She works very hard and never makes excuses after a loss. In these respects, she reminds me of BCA Hall of Famer Jeanette Lee.

It sure is easy to root for Pia. Wishing her continued success.
 
No comments on how SVB ridiculously over-coached our most successful player, who had a flawless record up until that point, to our first loss? What the hell was that? Then proceeded to lose his own next 2 matches to finish us off?

I mean seriously, he is my favorite player to watch. But he doesn't seem to be suited for team competition.
 
Badpenguin said:
No comments on how SVB ridiculously over-coached our most successful player, who had a flawless record up until that point, to our first loss? What the hell was that? Then proceeded to lose his own next 2 matches to finish us off?

I mean seriously, he is my favorite player to watch. But he doesn't seem to be suited for team competition.
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Yes, that was painful to watch. She seemed amenable to it, but he did more coaching than all the other team captains combined it seemed. At one point he even positioned the cueball when she had BIH.

At another point she had a pretty standard three-ball runout, 8-9-10, with the 8 right in front of the side pocket. Yet, there was Shane directing the shot up until the timer was almost out. She hit a timid shot (perhaps trying to play "his" way, rather than playing the way she's most comfortable?) and left herself awkward for the next shot, which she missed while he loomed over her shoulder.

I'm sure he helped many times, but times like that three-ball non-out it seemed at least to me that he hurt.

In general, coaching should not be allowed just from a spectator enjoyment perspective. All my various neighbors during these matches, whether young or old, male or female, commented negatively about the coaching. "Just let them play," was the common refrain.
 
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Just for the record, here are the last eight results...

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Portugal? Another country is heard from.
 
Badpenguin said:
No comments on how SVB ridiculously over-coached our most successful player, who had a flawless record up until that point, to our first loss? What the hell was that? Then proceeded to lose his own next 2 matches to finish us off?

I mean seriously, he is my favorite player to watch. But he doesn't seem to be suited for team competition.
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There are comments earlier in thread from the first match how his coaching seemed like a terrible distraction. Some people speculated that April requested it, but who knows.

I would have been offended and I’m 500 Fargo points below her.
 
kling&allen said:
There are comments earlier in thread from the first match how his coaching seemed like a terrible distraction. Some people speculated that April requested it, but who knows.

I would have been offended and I’m 500 Fargo points below her.
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Well, one thing for sure, April handled the pressure with extreme grace. I hope we get to see her compete on the bigger stage more often.
 
I think about the only times coaching is going to be useful is if the coach observes something the player is doing differently from usual and wrong or if the coach thinks of a shot that the player knows but simply overlooked. In the end the player better shoot a shot they are comfortable with.

The worst example of coaching I've ever seen was in a league match. The player, who could easily hit the end rail if given two tries, was facing a table with three of his balls near pockets. Make a ball and position is guaranteed on at least one ball. The coach/captain went into a five minute discussion of the various possibilities including spinning off the seven to come out to the center of the table, or playing a stun shot on the six, or .... The player finally shot at one of the hangers and missed.
 
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Badpenguin said:
No comments on how SVB ridiculously over-coached our most successful player, who had a flawless record up until that point, to our first loss? What the hell was that? Then proceeded to lose his own next 2 matches to finish us off?

I mean seriously, he is my favorite player to watch. But he doesn't seem to be suited for team competition.
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The benefits and disadvantages that come with during-the-rack coaching are debatable and are for another day.

... but my comment is this. In singles at the Mosconi Cup, the only two that are allowed inside the arena of play are those who are playing each other and, consequently, there is no during-the-rack coaching.

It should be that way in all professional team competitions. This isn't APA.
 
At the league level, my experience, the coach tells the player how to play a pattern. The coach does not take skill level into consideration.
”hit low outside with medium speed” the response is “huh?”
several years ago i spent some time with Sjm trying to learn straight pool. He would often say do you want to know what a pro would do, or what a c player should do? He understood that i was not pro.
 
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kaznj said:
At the league level, my experience, the coach tells the player how to play a pattern. The coach does not take skill level into consideration.
”hit low outside with medium speed” the response is “huh?”
several years ago i spent some time with Sjm trying to learn straight pool. He would often say do you want to know what a pro would do, or what a c player should do? He understood that i was not pro.
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As a 9 I was asked to coach on apa and you hit the nail on the head. It was complicated becuase you really have to put yourself I. Their shoes and understand what they can and can’t do.
 
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