Strickland gives the world the 8 ball

[JMS]

In a post match interview at the Mosconi cup, Strickland challenges the world. Says he will give everyone the 8 if they played on his table, which have 4" pockets. Do you think he can really make this kind of challenge?

Another funny thing, during the post match interview Sky Sports is Live on the air when Earl says "I think all the top players in the world should vote to play on 10x5' tables", he then turns to the crowd and asks them, "You want to see some grown men S#$! themselves?"

 

[jasonlaus]

In a post match interview at the Mosconi cup, Strickland challenges the world. Says he will give everyone the 8 if they played on his table, which have 4" pockets. Do you think he can really make this kind of challenge?

Another funny thing, during the post match interview Sky Sports is Live on the air when Earl says "I think all the top players in the world should vote to play on 10x5' tables", he then turns to the crowd and asks them, "You want to see some grown men S#$! themselves?"

Gotta love Earl:thumbup:

 

[Black-Balled]

Gotta love Earl:thumbup:

Gotta love Earl:thumbup:

 

[tigerseye]

He also said,at the Mosconi Cup interview, that if the Euros only had to play him every match they would never win again....
LOL!!

 

[gesan]

Earl

Based on your post he not only can - he did - I would not bet against him

 

[Big C]

I've heard Earl say on several occasions that he would shoot holes through and rob the world if they played on a 5 X 10. Doesn't really hold water with me since he hasn't demonstrated this recently on the current equipment.

 

[jay helfert]

In a post match interview at the Mosconi cup, Strickland challenges the world. Says he will give everyone the 8 if they played on his table, which have 4" pockets. Do you think he can really make this kind of challenge?

Another funny thing, during the post match interview Sky Sports is Live on the air when Earl says "I think all the top players in the world should vote to play on 10x5' tables", he then turns to the crowd and asks them, "You want to see some grown men S#$! themselves?"

Yes Earl could give the world the eight ball....., and lose.
In fairness, once upon a time, it may have been true. Sadly that time has passed.

 

[corvette1340]

To answer your question. Of course he can make that challenge, but can he actually give it? Absolutely not. If he was actually serious and had the dough in escrow then I can assure you there would be several people willing to play on Earl's table getting the hognut.

 

[LoGiC]

Has anyone taken a look at what change actually happened with Earl between his golden time and now? He was an amazing-result producing player. He is one of the most decorated to ever play the game. What changed so much?

I think its time for some video analysis. Anyone up for this?

EDIT: I mean look for something other than 'mental' issues as someone will surely say.

 

[Big C]

Has anyone taken a look at what change actually happened with Earl between his golden time and now? He was an amazing-result producing player. He is one of the most decorated to ever play the game. What changed so much?

I think its time for some video analysis. Anyone up for this?

EDIT: I mean look for something other than 'mental' issues as someone will surely say.

From my perspective, the only thing that changed is the 6" between his ears. The man still has more ability than most pros in the world.

 

[spliced]

.....................

 

[KoolKat9Lives]

That old table he plays on at Coliseum Billiards in Greensboro is sick. They shimmed it for him fairly recently. It's tighter, and plays tighter than a nun in mass. Playing on it was quite humbling.

 

[PistolPat]

One of my Favs but..........

Earl isnt a truly smart player, he is though the BEST shot maker I have ever watched play the game, but when it comes to strategy he aint nearly the best out there. I study his offensive game 24/7 but NEVER his defense. That's why Efren is still #1 in my book.

 

[ScottW]

In a post match interview at the Mosconi cup, Strickland challenges the world. Says he will give everyone the 8 if they played on his table, which have 4" pockets. Do you think he can really make this kind of challenge?

Hah. In Atlanta not so long ago (in town for bfdlad's thing with Johnny) he was claiming his home table had 3.5" pockets

 

[worriedbeef]

If Earl had the right mental game nowadays he'd still be one of the winningest players in the world even today - I don't nessecarilly think he has a mental problem per se, I just think he isn't motivated enough any more to win tournament after tournament like he used to. I personally think it's a shame as a huge Earl fan, but it's up to him.

Because when you watch him play - that man still has arguably the best stroke on the planet, and he cues through the ball as sweet as he EVER did, if not better.

 

[Scaramouche]

Hah. In Atlanta not so long ago (in town for bfdlad's thing with Johnny) he was claiming his home table had 3.5" pockets

In which case Earl will have no problem with smaller snooker balls and 3.33 inch pockets on a 12 foot table should he choose to try moving up to big time billiards

 

[Black-Balled]

That old table he plays on at Coliseum Billiards in Greensboro is sick. They shimmed it for him fairly recently. It's tighter, and plays tighter than a nun in mass. Playing on it was quite humbling.

C'mon! Don't make us ask...!

Is it a 10'er?

 

[Zagiflyer]

In a post match interview at the Mosconi cup, Strickland challenges the world. Says he will give everyone the 8 if they played on his table, which have 4" pockets. Do you think he can really make this kind of challenge?

Another funny thing, during the post match interview Sky Sports is Live on the air when Earl says "I think all the top players in the world should vote to play on 10x5' tables", he then turns to the crowd and asks them, "You want to see some grown men S#$! themselves?"

I saw Earl do an exhbition recently and he said the same stuff. He seems to think that if the game could be redesigned in a way to maximize his strongest points (fast play, total offense, lots of tough shots, super stroke) that he would be on top again. If he could just concentrate on playing the game instead of all the other stuff that he let's bother him he would be on top again without having to change anything.

 

[mark8950]

The Eight Is Nothing!

He Probably Can Give The World The 8 On A 5x10 If They Play 10 Ahead Instead Of A Race To 15 Or 30? The 5x10 Is A Different Breed Of Cat All Together! Sparky

 

[ShootingArts]

Depends

He Probably Can Give The World The 8 On A 5x10 If They Play 10 Ahead Instead Of A Race To 15 Or 30? The 5x10 Is A Different Breed Of Cat All Together! Sparky

If they tricked a five by ten out with today's cushions and cloth an extra six inches times a foot wouldn't make much difference. On the other hand, if they used the same speed rails as the old tables and the rug of a cloth, a lot of people who think they have very good strokes including many of the pro's would be in for a rude awakening.

The first time I played five by tens with deep wet cloth my ball was stopping a foot or more short of the pocket sometimes, and that was shooting straight in! It took some serious muscle to kick and bank your way around those old tables. Something that isn't often mentioned is the balls too. You rarely had a full set of perfect balls on a ten foot table. You had to know how the nap played on the table and how each ball rolled. You had to know how every inch of those old cushions played too. Home field advantage was huge and someone that could travel around and kick butt was a player!

Hu