Strickland gives the world the 8 ball

This is starting to get really ridiculous. Earl hasn't been relevant to top-tier pool in more than a couple of years. I was a huge fan growing up, all the way through the first time I played him in an event. While I understand that most of his antics come from the fact that he is hyper-competitive, his attitude doesn't fly when he is no longer a serious threat ti win. I am not saying he can't win the occasional regional tour stop, but the days of Earl being a top 10(or probably 50, for that matter) player are long gone. When was the last decent tourney he won? Anybody? (Listen for the sound of a million chirping crickets) I am really getting to the point where I hope he either makes some type of miraculous comeback, or just goes away, and lets us all remember the GOOD Earl. Not this guy who just says stuff like"I WAS TIGER WOODS. I WAS A HOUSEHOLD NAME" etc. I really just want the guy who ran out back.
 
His table in Greensboro...

His table at Coliseum Billiards is tough, but it is not the biggest beast within 100 miles, and that's for damn sure. I lived in South Carolina for a spell, and in the house I stayed in was a Diamond that many a strong player called "The Goddamn Devil"!
 
LoGiC said:
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.
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It's real simple, he misses too many balls now. That is the bottom line in pool after all.
 
ScottW said:
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 :)
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no HAH he did have a table shimmed to 4 inch pockets and it is brutal but then they set up another table fo him and it is 3 and a half inch pockets and if you hold two balls and try to put them in the pocket only about 1 and a half of another ball fits. unreal
 
add 1 more factor...

With a 30 second shot clock it's possible. Make the shot clock 15 seconds, and it becomes probable.
 
jay helfert said:
It's real simple, he misses too many balls now. That is the bottom line in pool after all.
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Well yea, that's the reason. But why does he miss now vs a few years ago? He line up differently? Stroke different? What change caused this to happen?
 
LoGiC said:
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.
Click to expand...


I don't have any video but I think Earl started slipping after that Million Dollar 10 racks of his. He hasn't been the same since. It was almost like he got lazy and dropped out for a while there.
MULLY
God I miss the old Earl, but he's still my all time favorite
 
mullyman said:
I don't have any video but I think Earl started slipping after that Million Dollar 10 racks of his. He hasn't been the same since. It was almost like he got lazy and dropped out for a while there.
MULLY
God I miss the old Earl, but he's still my all time favorite
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i think he started slipping a little later than that. After all, since the million dollar 10 racks he has won 2 U.S. opens! (1997, 2000)
 
It was only a little more than a year ago. Earl won the Carolina Classic...which was a one pocket tournament, with all the top players in attendance. That says something... You're stretchin' if you don't consider Earl in the top 50...especially in the U.S. (even in the world, he's still there). I too, would love to see Earl make a comeback, and be the best again. He has the skill...you never forget how!

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

muttley76 said:
When was the last decent tourney he won? Anybody? (Listen for the sound of a million chirping crickets)
Click to expand...
 
LoGiC said:
EDIT: I mean look for something other than 'mental' issues as someone will surely say.
Click to expand...

Thats like taking a car that wont run to a mechanic and asking him to fix it, but telling him he cant look at the engine :rolleyes:

When players get to a high level of physical ability, the thing that sets them apart is the mental side of the game. Its the drive, commitment, and confidence.

A couple years ago at the DCC I stood outside and smoked with Earl after a couple of matches. I asked him about his arm weight and some other gadgets he was wearing while playing. In his own words he said its because he is messed up in the head and cant make a ball without them.

Granted even the pros can get into slumps due to physical flaws in the setup or stroke. But IMO if it effects them for a long period of time its more between their ears, because one of the things that made them great was to be able to find flaws and fix them.

Love him or hate him, he is still one of the best ones to watch.

Woody
 
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