Top 8 Mosconi picks announced!!!

pt109 said:
I agree with this....Mike Dechaine belongs on this team....
...if results don't mean anything, it's just another 'old boy' system...
...and it's not supporting pool in America.

I also don't like having only five players...it gives the captain no opportunity
to bench somebody....last year they needed 8 players, 'cause 3 of
them should've been put on the bench.

And I've been saying since the inception of the Cup....
..Europe is a continent...so is North America.
One Canadian and one Mexican would achieve this balance.
Alex and Shane, although fierce competitors, like and respect each other....
...they would be great on the same team.

And the Euros that have made the US their home....
...should consider citizenship.
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Maybe you should mention that to Alex next time he decides to play under the Philippine flag, just sayin.
 
Slasher said:
Maybe you should mention that to Alex next time he decides to play under the Philippine flag, just sayin.
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Kind of like Amar Kang and Raj Hundal playing for India, when Amar lives in California and Raj lives in England. :grin:
 
ArtOfTheCue said:
I think he's pointing out that Mike's played twice. He mentioned earlier that the first time can be rough for people who haven't experienced it. It's a lot of pressure.

I really like Brandon for this team. He's a guy that has all of the skills and knowledge to be a top player, but needs to work on his focus. Every once in a while, he'll just one-stroke something, and that seems to his biggest (only) weakness, which ties right in with what CreeDo was saying about getting his best wins in his comfort zone. Working with a world-class coach like Mark could really help pull his best game out. And his best game could beat anybody. And the 3rd place finish at Turning Stone last year could be a sign that he's getting more comfortable at bigger events already.

But I think we're being a little unfair making judgments at this point in the game... the whole point of picking the players and announcing this early is to give them a chance to try working together and give Mark 9 months to help develop them, both as players and as a team. I'm willing to bet that come November, we're going to see some changes in all of their games (at least the ones whose initials aren't SVB).
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I agree with most of everything you have stated but what has Shuff won lately against top competition. Don't get me wrong I love Shuff as a person and he represents the game great . Why not expand the list to 10 and if MD was not a team player than cut him. You have to atleast give your best players a chance to behave and earn a spot. He is a young kid who needs some maturing sure but they could always drop him if he stirred things up. I
JMHO
 
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I honestly believe that the chosen players on this list are there not only for their skills but for their demeanor and professionalism. After last year's embarrassment it didnt help that a lot of the team were acting like jackarses!! Was the break tough?? Both teams struggled!! Did Team Europe get the rolls?? I have to say a huge YES they did but just because you get bad rolls means you go off the deep end.

Calm, cool and collective is how Europe wins and not this testosterone driven Team USA. Don't get me wrong I love our Team no matter what but it's was embarrassing when these guys acted the way that they did.

ALL of this year's candidates can be considered highly professional, respectful and thankful for all that they have. THAT.... In it's self... Is a winning combination :D
 
ArtOfTheCue said:
I think he's pointing out that Mike's played twice. He mentioned earlier that the first time can be rough for people who haven't experienced it. It's a lot of pressure.

I really like Brandon for this team. He's a guy that has all of the skills and knowledge to be a top player, but needs to work on his focus. Every once in a while, he'll just one-stroke something, and that seems to his biggest (only) weakness, which ties right in with what CreeDo was saying about getting his best wins in his comfort zone. Working with a world-class coach like Mark could really help pull his best game out. And his best game could beat anybody. And the 3rd place finish at Turning Stone last year could be a sign that he's getting more comfortable at bigger events already.

But I think we're being a little unfair making judgments at this point in the game... the whole point of picking the players and announcing this early is to give them a chance to try working together and give Mark 9 months to help develop them, both as players and as a team. I'm willing to bet that come November, we're going to see some changes in all of their games (at least the ones whose initials aren't SVB).
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Excellent post. Well said. Tap, tap, tap! :)

You definitely know your pool, ArtOftheCue! ;)
 
Slasher said:
Maybe you should mention that to Alex next time he decides to play under the Philippine flag, just sayin.
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Alex has dual citizenship....I much prefer him representing Canada.
But when Alex won the World 9-ball championship, the Pinoy government
showered him with honors and perks...
...Canada? :boring2::boring2::boring2::boring2::boring2:




we're polite though :)
 
Great post and picture Jam! :)

JAM said:
I'd take him over Mike. John might not compete in as many tournaments as Mike Dechaine, but John's game is strong. If he prepares for the Cup, he'll be in good form. And John is not a quitter. He fights to the last ball. Trust me, I saw him defeat my other half like that when Keith was ahead. John never gave up and capitalized on one error. It only hurt for a little bit, I guess. :grin-square:

John is a U.S. Open Champion, a straight pool champion, and is a seasoned player.
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I see Shane, Cory, and John as the nucleus of the team, with the other spots perhaps determined by how the remaining players perform in competition over the next few months.

Is there a deadline for naming the final squad (aside from a soft date that Mark may have in his mind to announce the team and begin preparations)?
 
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Folks, remember that this is the first year of this format, and the first year for Mr. Wilson being in charge. It was quite obvious that the attitude needed to change, and that it wasn't going to be business as usual. With that being the theme, these choices seem appropriate.

I am always rooting for MD, and was hoping that he might be included this year. He has, however, created his own challenges among his peers, so perhaps in this first year, trying to work him into this group's dynamic wouldn't be the best option.

What this decision does is to set the bar, going forward. If players want to be considered, the model has been created. If MD, or any other US pro wants to be included in the future, they know what they need to do. That is very fair, to me.

I'll be rooting for our team this December, and I'll be rooting for MD to find his way back to being considered next year.
 
nicksaint26 said:
If the US is trying to win and build a young team with talent I just don't understand how you cannot have MD on the team. He is the clear cut number 2 in the US behind SVB in my opinion and I say this as someone who knows Mike and has not always got along with him. However when trying to field the best team and win you pick the best players! I leave personal feelings aside when trying to win. It should be about ability period. I am not saying the other choices aren't all great players but besides SVB Ill bet Dechaine over anyone listed.
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Maybe it's a little bit of tough-love. There's always next year, and the chance that Mike will take the clue and grow into the person the team needs him to be.
 
I wish Tommy Kennedy would have been in the mix, he deserved a chance.
I'd pick him over everyone except SVB, in my opinion Tommy instead of Schmidt would have been the spot or Sossei/Shuff
Mark Wilson should have had two more wildcard picks in the mix, just in case someone else starts winning everything or finishing runner up to SVB.
 
sammylane12 said:
This sounds like the weakest team in years, no matter how they sort it out.
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I am looking forward to less face making, whining, posturing and more good sportsmanship. I also think since the team is younger and less jaded, they might be more inclined to practice more pool and less golf. The last Mosconi cup was embarrassing more for our behavior than our play. Good luck!
 
PhilosopherKing said:
Maybe, if they win, Hollywood will make one of those worst-to-first, "Major League"/"The Mighty Ducks" type of movie about it.
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That may not happen but the AZB frat will then be hailing the Mosconi as the definitive competition for who's best in pool lol

Won't happen though, this lot looks like more canon fodder for the sixth man.
 
One thing that hurt the US team last year was the break. With Corey on the team, I am sure he can figure it out and then relay that to his team mates. I don't expect them to win this year, but I expect them to compete and to be professional about it. I could see something like Europe winning 11-7. But that would be a big step up from last year. But I am still rooting for team USA to win.
 
Well, I know I stand in the minority on this, but I think the omission of Earl Strickland is quite sad. He and Shane had the best performance at the last Cup, and Earl's percentage of winning is better than most when it comes to the Mosconi Cup. Shame, really, but that's pool for you. Here today, gone tomorrow. The fans are a fickle bunch. :o
 
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