Shane and the Mosconi Cup [Puts on Fire Proof Suit]

[Cezar Morales]

Nice list! I wouldn't have to like it, but I'd give it a try. Lol.

I like my chances with Biado, Albin, Dennis and Darren. About even with Ko's and Chang YL. And not thrilled about Chang JL or Wu.

Good post
Jason

Your analysis is spot on for money games.
After working in taiwan for 5 yrs , Chang is undisputedly the money game king for the past 5 yrs but seems to struggles to get that elusive wpa title like Shane but he has a wpa 8ball title tho.


However if we look at just tournaments, Big Ko is known to produce some CRAZILY EXTRAORDINARY RRSULTS AT 26 YRS OF AGE :
2 WPA world titles in same yr ( 9 & 10 ball ) , 1 junior world title , 3 ALL-Japan titles.

Sad part , he n lil ko r not allowed to gamble by his father unless he's being backed n within an agreed budget.

As for Wu , he doesnt gamble , not sure why but if he does, he doesnt need any backer, uncle's a multi-millionaire who took wu under his wings to do business in china so pool's just an hobby currently

But anyway Jason , i think it wld be really fun if we cld get our idea going maybe just bet smth small just for fun.
Say you and i put a hundred or 2 into hands of an Azer for escrow. N we bet about 20 each time Ko n Shane plays in the same tournament n the person who finishes higher wins n if either one wins the whole thing, theres a bonus of 10 bucks more haha.
I think its gonna be amusing when we both sweating our horse's arse lol.
And at the end of an agreed time frame we work out the difference n get out money back with the win or losses.
Sounds fun to me lol

 

[Cezar Morales]

I'd remove Biado and Darren. Put in Jayson and Alex. The rest of the list stands. Oh, and no Little Ko.

Trust me, if u worked in taiwan for 5 yrs n seen what that little mouse can do, you will change your mind.

Its not a big secret in taiwan that lil Ko is WAY MORE TALENTED AND A BLOODY NATURAL , sad part , he's living in his brother's shadow n he looks up to his brother too much.

He's like a cocoon waiting for the right moment to blosom into a butterfly.

That little mouse is ambidextrous and i have seen him switch to his leftie and did a table length draw.
4 yrs ago when he was barely 14, he whooped his brother's ass in the national championship 9-3.
That was really crazy , he was breaking n running out everytime. When i watch him play everytime , everything just flows so smoothly and easy , beauty to watch !

 

[actionplayer]

It's definitely puzzling.

As you note, when he has a losing record over almost 350 racks played, the sample is huge and the rolls are 100% irrelevant.

Enjoyment
My best guess is that Shane doesn't enjoy the experience of being accountable to anyone else but himself. That may be why he thrives at Derby City, the US Open and, more recently, the World Pool Masters, but never looks comfortable at the World Cup of Pool or the Mosconi. This year, I think being named a captain made things even worse for him. Shane is no leader and when he's not leading by example at the table, asking him to lead the troops is a bad idea.

Modified Routine When not Playing a Match
I also wonder whether having to remain in the arena while he is not playing cramps his style. Most players have their own routines when it comes to down time and sweating matches rarely is part of those routines.

Loose Pockets and Slidy Rails
I also think the fact that the Mosconi is played on bucket tables with slidy rails has hurt Shane in three ways: 1) it reduces his breaking edge, 2) it reduces the edge he normally enjoys for being a phenomenally straight shooter and pocketer --- everyone can run out on such easy equipment, and 3) it exposes some of his limitations in kicking, for Shane has shown poor adaptability in his kicking game when he plays on very slidy tables.

Make no mistake about it, Shane is a fantastic short race player. The Derby City 9-ball was races to seven until 2012, and Shane won over a field of hundreds twice before they switched to longer races.

Needless to say, this is all speculation, but it's my sense of it.

I cant disagree more here. SVB has stated on multiple interviews he enjoys the standard pocket size as opposed to most euros who like the tight pockets. SVB main strength is putting packages together as he has such a great break.

The tougher equipment like it was in 2013 made the Americans even worse. For the Americans to have a solid chance the table would have to be played on valleys with magic rack.