Shane's and USAs early kinks at the Mosconi

Drop The Rock

Drop The Rock

1652nd on AZ Money List
Silver Member
I don't attribute Shane's struggle to anything other than making him the "Team Captain." Its not the format, the race, or the racking, or even the TV table/environment. Shane isn't really a team player and its not a role he can fill. Everyone expects him to be this tank for USA and its just not in his wheelhouse. Is there another play who can fill that roll? Probably Johnny. He plays doubles well, he is used to the pressure and doesn't mind being the face of the team. Shane is a pretty private person and isn't exactly an extrovert, so the role isn't suited for him. He might be the best player, but that doesn't make him the best leader or face of the team.

Mike Dechaine. I understand why they "had to" bring him back but he just plain can't handle the environment at all and really doesn't play well under the type of pressure the Mosconi brings, so far, out of everyone, in my opinion, he has played the worst.

Cory, just plain and simple is hard to play doubles with because his pattern play isn't exactly orthodox. 9 ball isn't his best game either. Probably could have been a better pick available.

Bergman needs to stay exactly where he is, and will continue to improve and get used to the format. He is the second best player in the US and just needs to loosen up.

Skylar obviously kicks ass and I'm really happy he got picked up. It would have been a mistake not to.

In conclusion with current options, players available etc.

Shane
Bergman
Skylar
Johnny
Rodney

Would be the best combination of youth and experience in my opinion.
 
Um, Mike ran out like water in his rack of the team match.

Everyone says he played bad because he had day 1 jitters.

I'm thinking it goes 4-1 USA today
 
Hopefully Rodney and Hatch will be in contention next year. If for nothing else than to provide some more competition.
 
USA is down 3-2 after the first day and y'all already dismantling this team and start from scratch. :eek:

WOW!!

I like this team and think they will be just fine. The old guard let down long ago that lead to the team we have now. So, I'll support our team and Mark Wilson!!
 
Johnny and Dennis don't play pool anymore. I don't understand why people keep on insisting bring up their names.

There has been what - 37 games of pool played total so far and people are making these profound statements of what players can or cannot accomplish. The mentality of people making comments is pure silliness.

Beyond that - Mark Wilson is the Team Captain -- not SVB.
 
watchez said:
Johnny and Dennis don't play pool anymore. I don't understand why people keep on insisting bring up their names.

There has been what - 37 games of pool played total so far and people are making these profound statements of what players can or cannot accomplish. The mentality of people making comments is pure silliness.

Beyond that - Mark Wilson is the Team Captain -- not SVB.
Click to expand...

Dennis absolutely is playing.
 
I dont know if he played in the open or what his reasons were for missing it, but he played in a local tournament recently with a loaded field and split 1st/2nd. Seemed very focused to me.
 
ideologist said:
Um, Mike ran out like water in his rack of the team match.

Everyone says he played bad because he had day 1 jitters.

I'm thinking it goes 4-1 USA today
Click to expand...

He had a nice runout on a wide open table in his first game. In his second, he dogged an easy shot and lucked it in on the other side of the table.
 
ChicagoJoe said:
I dont know if he played in the open or what his reasons were for missing it, but he played in a local tournament recently with a loaded field and split 1st/2nd. Seemed very focused to me.
Click to expand...

Hatch is a hell of a player when in gear, don't get me wrong. But it is obvious that Mark (and Matchroom with their points system) feel that you have to be playing and also have success to be a part of the MC.

Playing 1.6 games of pool and wanting to practice for 30 minutes a day just isn't gonna cut it anymore.
 
Last year you whined about the system....with the captain picking the players.

This year a point system is put in place.

Point system was open to all.

Top 5 point getters are on the team.

You're still whining.
 
Teacherman said:
Last year you whined about the system....with the captain picking the players.

This year a point system is put in place.

Point system was open to all.

Top 5 point getters are on the team.

You're still whining.
Click to expand...

Although you and I have had differing opinions before.

Gotta hand it to you this time


You spoke the truth :smile:
 
Ky Boy said:
USA is down 3-2 after the first day and y'all already dismantling this team and start from scratch. :eek:

WOW!!

I like this team and think they will be just fine. The old guard let down long ago that lead to the team we have now. So, I'll support our team and Mark Wilson!!
Click to expand...

That's usually how it goes. If they win, then everything is just fine.
Once we start to lose; the "give up and change things" shows its nose among the
"railbirds." Go figure.
 
watchez said:
Johnny and Dennis don't play pool anymore. I don't understand why people keep on insisting bring up their names.

There has been what - 37 games of pool played total so far and people are making these profound statements of what players can or cannot accomplish. The mentality of people making comments is pure silliness.

Beyond that - Mark Wilson is the Team Captain -- not SVB.
Click to expand...

Good points.

That just shows the ignorance of many of the posters on here.
Sure, they play pool, but that doesn't mean they understand much beyond that
within this industry. Lots of ignorant people in the world.
 
This was a response to claims that SVB just can't play in this format. Also what is Mike D's Mosconi track record? Hmm? I don't have a problem with the format for selecting the team at all actually. It is what it is.

Also Mark Wilson is a non playing Captain. Which means he is a coach and does a helluva job at it. No better person for the job. But to compare this situation to other sports they have a shooting guard playing point guard or a running back at QB in Shane.

Johnny has been pretty active this year actually and won the Tornado Open which was an all star field. Would you rather have a Top 5 pro with no heart or a top 10 pro with heart and experience lol?
 
How many times does it have to be pointed out that Johnny is still a very active player?

Nobody can really complain about how this year's team was selected. They have a fighting chance but the Mosconi Cup is more of a test of cueing fundamentals than it is a showcase of who has the best A game. This is why we constantly struggle.

Of our current players, I think Shane has bar table mechanics that let him down consistently in this format. Dechaine has other issues that I've pointed out several times in the past but mainly he has a lazy approach to the table and he doesn't ever stay still on the shot. Corey actually looks like he's changed his approach a bit in the past year or so. He's getting down on the ball much better but I'm not sure he has the fire power that he once had.

I like both Bergman and Skyler's games a lot. I reject the idea that Sky is too young to handle the pressure. He's the perfect age to take this on. Young guys are fearless and that's what's needed. Bergman's technique is way better than either Shane's or Mike's and that's why I think he will be the MVP if the US pulls this off.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top