So, is it my imagination or is Shane just not in the conversation (any conversation) at DCC this year? Just seems weird; maybe I'm wrong, I know you'll correct me.
SVB and DCC
- Thread starter RichSchultz
- Start date
Still early, baby.
It'll still be an exciting show, irrespective of who the cast is.
I'd say this is a bit premature. Yes, in the Bigfoot, he lost to a way off form Orcullo, but 8th round is OK in banks, and I felt going in that he was a slight underdog to Chohan in 1-hole, so nothing to get in a tizzy about quite yet.
Perhaps he can string some wins in one pocket now and make a solid showing in nine ball, which has always been his best event at the Derby.
Patience!
Perhaps he can string some wins in one pocket now and make a solid showing in nine ball, which has always been his best event at the Derby.
Patience!
Maybe...
Hats off to Shaw for a 10 Ball repeat. Maybe Shane is just not in top form this time. I honestly don't know how he did so good for so many years in so many tournaments and Tar matches.
Playing at that level and maintaining the competitive edge has to be a big brain drain after awhile. So many of the players are so good that I am amazed any one can be a repeat champion at any thing in pool.
Hats off to Shaw for a 10 Ball repeat. Maybe Shane is just not in top form this time. I honestly don't know how he did so good for so many years in so many tournaments and Tar matches.
Playing at that level and maintaining the competitive edge has to be a big brain drain after awhile. So many of the players are so good that I am amazed any one can be a repeat champion at any thing in pool.
He needs to extend a big thanks to Corteza for dogging an easy 8 with a road map afterwards when Lee Van was on the hill. Shaw had 9 games, and he never let Corteza back to the table. But these are the kind of things that happen to the "hot" player for years in all sports.
From what I can tell, here is Shane's record in the 2017 DCC so far, by round. The matches he lost are marked (L).
Bigfoot 10-Ball -- Finished 9th/16th (last)
9-Ball Banks -- Finished tied for 15th/22nd
One-Pocket -- (Can't tell finishing position from info provided so far)
I do not know whether Shane has participated yet in the Straight Pool Challenge.
Bigfoot 10-Ball -- Finished 9th/16th (last)
- 1. Dennis Orcollo (L)
9-Ball Banks -- Finished tied for 15th/22nd
- 1. Joe Scott
2. Vladimir Nikolayev
3. Li-Wen Lo
4. Kenneth Brisbon
5. Cody Kozarian
6. Chris Gentile
7. Troy Jones
8. Evan Lunda (L)
9. Warren Kiamco (L)
One-Pocket -- (Can't tell finishing position from info provided so far)
- 1. Stephen Mack
2. Tim Burks
3. Tony Chohan (L)
4. Chris Melling (L)
I do not know whether Shane has participated yet in the Straight Pool Challenge.
I only saw him play in the Bigfoot so far and he seemed off of his game, like it was a MC match. Haven't seen him like this before. Have no clue how he played in China for that event but don't think he faired to well there either.
Hope he does great in the 9 ball event though, wish him all the bestime even though I'll be rooting for Shaw.
Hope he does great in the 9 ball event though, wish him all the bestime even though I'll be rooting for Shaw.
Call me wrong or premature but Shane has seemed distracted or disinterested in pool since the US Open. He's got a young lady in his life, he's invested his $ to a plan for his future. Perhaps if he can ever win a World 9 ball title he might just pack it in & move onto other things.
I am myself in the 14.1 challenge and no SVB there...
Btw. Yesterday Melling ran 225 and Pagulayan 197...pretty sporty.
There is something called burn out in Pool and it's real. That's why Jean Balukas quit at 29. Shane has been at this for over fifteen years straight now and has made a good living and achieved some measure of financial security. He's in his mid 30's and has other things in life he enjoys doing besides playing pool. I figured he would last until age 40 but I think he's ready for a long break right now, especially after the last MC debacle.
No one really knows what Shane went through to excel at pool and yet look at how well he has guided his own career. He has always been a good sportsman and conducted himself in a positive manner. He has a good sense of humor and fair play. Shane has been a credit to the game for the last ten years and we are fortunate to have him representing our sport in such a positive way. All I can say is thank you to Shane for deciding to be a pool player and not something else.
P.S. How old and how good is John Morra? Not even 30 and he's already taking a break! This game can chew you up if you're not careful. I played pool non stop from the age of 18 until I was 33. That was the year I sold my poolroom in Bakersfield and took a three year hiatus from pool. I needed it. I came back to the game with a whole new perspective.
No one really knows what Shane went through to excel at pool and yet look at how well he has guided his own career. He has always been a good sportsman and conducted himself in a positive manner. He has a good sense of humor and fair play. Shane has been a credit to the game for the last ten years and we are fortunate to have him representing our sport in such a positive way. All I can say is thank you to Shane for deciding to be a pool player and not something else.
P.S. How old and how good is John Morra? Not even 30 and he's already taking a break! This game can chew you up if you're not careful. I played pool non stop from the age of 18 until I was 33. That was the year I sold my poolroom in Bakersfield and took a three year hiatus from pool. I needed it. I came back to the game with a whole new perspective.
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Whatever the case, I know Shane has the champion gene in him. If he decides to take a break and focus on other things (or be distracted by the precipice of these thoughts) good for him, he deserves it. If he wants to, I have no doubt he can come back and have a Shaw-esque (which don't forget we used to call it Shane-seque) year.
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Sent from my iPhone using AzBilliards Forums
Always good points you make, Jay. We all know you mentor Shane and know him better than we do, so your insight is invaluable.
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