And there you have it. Spoken by someone (Shane) who actually knows the players' strengths well. Thanks for sharing that.
Top 8 Mosconi picks announced!!!
- Thread starter RunoutJJ
- Start date
And there you have it. Spoken by someone (Shane) who actually knows the players' strengths well. Thanks for sharing that.
And there you have it. Spoken by someone (Shane) who actually knows the players' strengths well. Thanks for sharing that.
This is merely speculation on my part.
I don't think Earl's absence is due to his playing ability. Rather, I strongly believe it's due to his inability to make his teammates (other than Shane) play their best pool.
His actions and behavior, while entertaining to some, only serve to bring the rest of the team down.
I'm an Earl fan, and love watching him play, but I'm glad to see he's not included on the team this year.
I'm just passing on what I heard come out of Justin's mouth last night on the Varner stream.
All so isn't Johnny & Earl buddy's?
There are many negative comments about these picks. To me, it raises this question: Which is better, a team of highly talented players who have poor attitudes and are not well-prepared and distract each other, or a team who have their heads right and are well-coached?
Second year in a row Mike Dechaine gets screwed from being on the mosconi cup. 2nd best player in the US an he doesn't even make the top 8 cut. Real good captain team USA has
JC
Coos Cues
Dechaine is not the #2 american
Yes thats the #2 american
The goal this year was to create a team environment and lay the groundwork for future teams. Apparently having the best roster "available" hasn't worked out so well. Yes, Mike D. is a great player but team player? Of course this team will be a huge underdog but they have to try something different otherwise the Mosconi Cup will cease to exist because of lack of competition.
So, maybe the "top" players that were left out of this year will reemerge with a vengeance next year to make the team stronger. I doubt it. But, I'm interested to see the process take shape.
racker20, how strong are you? If things work out that team of "awful" picks are coming to Indy to play an exhibition and a little meet and greet. I am sure anyone of them would step up and play you. Maybe to make it easier for you Mark could coach the player of your choice in your match.
If it can be worked out I will post the dates on AZ, don't know where you live, but if it isn't on your league night maybe you can make it. Dinner is on me.:smile:
Carl
Then who is
Ya ok if u say so
not to get off topic, but Archer would horsef#$% Dechaine. PERIOD
Why you say that?? You don't think or boys can beat em?? I hope that they smash the living christ out of Europe. Wanna place a few bets on this??
I was struck by the fact that most of the dissenting comments here were done in a respectful way. That is not always the case on these forums and I think it is indicative of the respect that Mark Wilson has earned within the pool community over the years.
Leaving aside, for the moment, any differences of opinion in respect of the initial choice of potential team members, I am encouraged with what appears to be taking place. Mark Wilson seems to recognize the importance of team chemistry and is addressing it. It would appear that he is not afraid to make difficult decisions. The addition of Dr. Wardell as a vice captain is a good move. To me it indicates recognition of the need to have the type of support that will allow Mark, and the team, to maintain focus on the end game.
I would align myself with those who would support the inclusion of Mike DeChaine. I feel that he has matured and could be an integral part of this team.
I love the skill and competitive spirit of Earl Strickland. He is truly an internationally recognized star and adds a certain lustre to any event he is in. That said, recognizing that the past make up of a group of individual stars has not worked and the distraction that he might bring, I would leave him out.
The exclusion of Johnny Archer, maybe a more difficult decision than the others, is probably the key to being able to achieve the team chemistry that is needed.
With respect I would offer two suggestions for consideration to Mr. Wilson;
Firstly, do not let yourself be (rightly) guided by the need to have committed, respectful, character players to the extent that you ignore some really good players who, although they may have had some past difficulties in this respect might respond well to your leadership.
Secondly, recognizing the team mentality differs from the normal individual sport that most pro players are a part of, it might be helpful to organize special events whereby members of this team would take on a team of top players. This could be done as a precursor to events that they would attend anyway in the manner of how the Bigfoot Challenge was added to events; there could even be a Mosconi Cup preparation tour organized. I am sure that your team would be seasoned by playing a willing group of Professionals at venues like Steinway, Amsterdam, Hard Times, Turning Stone among others.
Leaving aside, for the moment, any differences of opinion in respect of the initial choice of potential team members, I am encouraged with what appears to be taking place. Mark Wilson seems to recognize the importance of team chemistry and is addressing it. It would appear that he is not afraid to make difficult decisions. The addition of Dr. Wardell as a vice captain is a good move. To me it indicates recognition of the need to have the type of support that will allow Mark, and the team, to maintain focus on the end game.
I would align myself with those who would support the inclusion of Mike DeChaine. I feel that he has matured and could be an integral part of this team.
I love the skill and competitive spirit of Earl Strickland. He is truly an internationally recognized star and adds a certain lustre to any event he is in. That said, recognizing that the past make up of a group of individual stars has not worked and the distraction that he might bring, I would leave him out.
The exclusion of Johnny Archer, maybe a more difficult decision than the others, is probably the key to being able to achieve the team chemistry that is needed.
With respect I would offer two suggestions for consideration to Mr. Wilson;
Firstly, do not let yourself be (rightly) guided by the need to have committed, respectful, character players to the extent that you ignore some really good players who, although they may have had some past difficulties in this respect might respond well to your leadership.
Secondly, recognizing the team mentality differs from the normal individual sport that most pro players are a part of, it might be helpful to organize special events whereby members of this team would take on a team of top players. This could be done as a precursor to events that they would attend anyway in the manner of how the Bigfoot Challenge was added to events; there could even be a Mosconi Cup preparation tour organized. I am sure that your team would be seasoned by playing a willing group of Professionals at venues like Steinway, Amsterdam, Hard Times, Turning Stone among others.