Whew, it's really difficult catching up with the action going on around here. It seems to me that TheOne's brit ego got hurt especially with regards to the robotic comments made in previous posts. let's not be quick to react, for initial reactions tend to be caused by feeling rather than thinking and simply clouds the mind. reasons tend to be overwhelmed and therefore useless arguments are created over and over again. TheOne, don't be easily be diverted or misled by the word robotic and dont make such a big deal out of it. nobody wants to enter into a useless argument unless you are leading it towards it. I know you don't wanted the Europeans to be branded as robots ( but that is to say the least, the description of their playing attitude at most times ), hence dont be offended since that is only an honest observation. otherwise, people would say they are exciting if they are really that exciting, right? being a brit/european, it is normal to be patriotic, but to deny the reality is just plain nuthugging. I for one, have nothing against european players. I love the like of the talkative and friendly gentleman Steve Davis whom I believe can make a great impact in promoting pool (snooker and 9-ball) in the U.K. and probably a promotion in the U.S. (9-ball) because of his commentary skills and as long as he comes to the U.S. and win some events. Another character is Tony Drago, whom tends to be funny at times. And the Kaisser, for showing his emotions during the WPC last year that really elevated his status to the public. Aside from the three, I'm having a difficulty on looking for other marketable european players. I don't think Niels, Ortmann, Immonen, Van den Berg, Lely, Chamat, et.al have that certain bankability and appeal to the media and the public as those three have. You see, certain characteristics and personalities are shown inorder to be noticed and become marketable. and that cant be done by being a robot. the dilemma of the U.S. is not that quite far in comparison with Europe, that is why some sponsored tourneys held in europe invite well-known american players and Asian players to participate those events for marketing purposes.
I agree with you on the part of professionalism, but not to the extent that would make players appear like corpses. besides, who in the world would like to watch a bunch of corpses playing ? would that promote a great deal about pool? The Asian pro-tour was a success because of it's personality pool players. a display of not only skill, but also character. I think otherwise that it won't be a success if not for these personalities in the first place. The Asian Tour has grown wide thanks to these pool icons because new talents and characters are discovered because of them. this is what marketing is all about, the promotion and continuation of pool.
So the thing is, America needs new personalities to promote pool. And I hope the will be a next Earl Strickland that would entertain us ! And lot us not worry too much about his antics. there is a department body that takes care of it. Leave it to them. about kids following his example and people seeing his antics is the least of our worries, hell there are even worse things that can be seen in boxing, basketball, tennis, football, etc... so Earl is no bigga deal in comparison to these events. Remember, we are watching drama and not a funeral !
Or did you not say that either?
