Tuesday Open Thread: Sky v. Alex and Efren v. Jose
- Thread starter JAM
- Start date
Yep it was a photo, sorry....... I've been a little busy working 15 hours a day & don't have time to do more than that on Facebook.
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This means we'll be seeing it live with good quality. ...
The spot has been moved up to where the 1-ball should be with the 9-ball on the foot string (i.e., 9-ball where the physical foot spot is normally located). This puts the base of the 1-ball about 4 inches (3.9") from the foot string instead of on the foot string.
And, yes, some breakers are having some success making the wing ball, but probably not with the same frequency as when the 1-ball is on the foot spot.
In the Woodward/Pagulayan match:
• Woodward broke 10 times -- 7 wet, 1 fouled (also dry), and 2 dry. On the 7 wet breaks, he made the wing ball in the corner 5 times, and on one of those 5 breaks he also made the 1-ball in the side.
• Pagulayan broke 9 times -- 5 wet, 1 fouled (also dry), and 3 dry. On the 5 wet breaks, he made both the wing ball in the corner and the 1-ball in the side 4 times.
Hey, Lou, a campaign on AzBilliards has worked for some pool entities to effect a change, why not for Sky?
Those who are stating Sky not being able to defeat M.D., well, how interesting is it that existing pros today, those who have seen Sky Woodward for the entire past entire year -- Scott Frost, Johnny Archer, Nick Varner, and Shawn Putnam, to name a few -- all agree he is going to exceed the existing lot today due to his capabilities he has already performed. You don't hear these pros singing the accolades of M.D. like they are Sky. Why? Because it takes a champion to recognize a champion. Heck, Keith has only seen Sky on video and came away with saying he was the best Young Gun in America today, bar none.
So everybody can be a cheerleader for who they want and continue their own campaign for their "favorite" player, but Sky's existing track record is only getting better and better and better. He sure as heck has won tournaments that M.D.might not have even made the money rounds. So how do you like them apples?
It is quite revealing to read those pushing for M.D. over and over and over again on AzBilliards Discussion Form to be on the Mosconi Cup next year, and that's all fine and dandy, but to discount Sky Woodward under him, as if Sky can't beat M.D., is a joke. Ask the pros which is the better player.
Ask the pros what their assessment is on M.D. and Sky.
I'm not trying to promote Mr. Dechaine over Mr. Woodward, Ms. Jam, I personally believe they both should be considered. I also think that if they were both considered based on talent, they would get picked. However, personalities have come into play, perhaps rightfully so, and have eliminated some players from consideration. It would certainly be nice to put our best players on the team.
True dat. At the time of this writing, if you can believe it, the pros are on Facebook boasting, claiming, fighting over who was the first who said over a year ago that Sky Woodward should be on Team USA for the Mosconi Cup. I have read at least a half-a-dozen pros making this claim, all stating that Sky should be on our team this year. Some of them are very resentful that the eight selectees for consideration were made very early in the year 2014 for a Mosconi Cup that occurs at the end of 2014, that this is wrong, wrong, wrong.
They even go so far as to say that European players are given a different selection criteria than American players, which doesn't seem fair. Of course, I understand the politics behind this that there were definitely some issues that needed to be addressed on Team USA last year.
I don't read any American pro singing the praises of M.D. Could it be based on personality? I'm not sure. Mike, by his own admission, says he has learned a great deal from his past competition opportunities. Heck, I think we could all lay this claim in our own lives, too. To recognize areas that need improvement is a good thing. We are all members of God's human family, and as such, we are all capable of flaws.
It is a shame that the cream of the crop in America that may not have attended a Mosconi Cup "boot camp" won't be considered to be a team member for Team USA, but it is what it is. I realize this. I'm still going to campaign for Sky Woodward, which seems to be in agreement with professional pool players. It is a travesty, in my opinion, that he has been omitted from the selection criteria. The selection criteria is flawed in this regard.
Hey, Lou, a campaign on AzBilliards has worked for some pool entities to effect a change, why not for Sky?
Those who are stating Sky not being able to defeat M.D., well, how interesting is it that existing pros today, those who have seen Sky Woodward for the entire past entire year -- Scott Frost, Johnny Archer, Nick Varner, and Shawn Putnam, to name a few -- all agree he is going to exceed the existing lot today due to his capabilities he has already performed. You don't hear these pros singing the accolades of M.D. like they are Sky. Why? Because it takes a champion to recognize a champion. Heck, Keith has only seen Sky on video and came away with saying he was the best Young Gun in America today, bar none.
So everybody can be a cheerleader for who they want and continue their own campaign for their "favorite" player, but Sky's existing track record is only getting better and better and better. He sure as heck has won tournaments that M.D.might not have even made the money rounds. So how do you like them apples?
It is quite revealing to read those pushing for M.D. over and over and over again on AzBilliards Discussion Form to be on the Mosconi Cup next year, and that's all fine and dandy, but to discount Sky Woodward under him, as if Sky can't beat M.D., is a joke. Ask the pros which is the better player.
Becauuuuuuuse, the final 8 is a done deal.
The caterwauling only works coram eo.
Lou Figueroa
I 100 % agree. There were some issues that needed to be addressed, but to tell all but 8 players you're not going to be considered is cutting your nose to spite your face. Give out the criteria that makes a person Mosconi Cup worthy, and see who steps up to the plate.
Everybody agrees with you, except a minute few. :wink:
One selection criteria option for Mosconi Cup in 2014 could be, hypothetically speaking, to choose four players from the "Chosen Eight" and then have one wildcard pick of the player whose performance shined brightly throughout the entire year of 2014 who is *not* one of the "Chosen Eight." 
Wildcard picks are used all the time by tournament promoters when the selection criteria is flawed, like this one.
Wildcard picks are used all the time by tournament promoters when the selection criteria is flawed, like this one.
takeitdown
Banned
There are at least 5 players that play significantly better than the 7 contenders and Mr. Woodward. I can't wait for the epic inevitable fail so we can hear the excuses Wilson lays down. Hopefully his reign is only 2014. It really doesn't matter anyway, these guys are going nowhere versus Europe.
takeitdown
Banned
Hey, Lou, a campaign on AzBilliards has worked for some pool entities to effect a change, why not for Sky?
Those who are stating Sky not being able to defeat M.D., well, how interesting is it that existing pros today, those who have seen Sky Woodward for the entire past entire year -- Scott Frost, Johnny Archer, Nick Varner, and Shawn Putnam, to name a few -- all agree he is going to exceed the existing lot today due to his capabilities he has already performed. You don't hear these pros singing the accolades of M.D. like they are Sky. Why? Because it takes a champion to recognize a champion. Heck, Keith has only seen Sky on video and came away with saying he was the best Young Gun in America today, bar none.
So everybody can be a cheerleader for who they want and continue their own campaign for their "favorite" player, but Sky's existing track record is only getting better and better and better. He sure as heck has won tournaments that M.D.might not have even made the money rounds. So how do you like them apples?
It is quite revealing to read those pushing for M.D. over and over and over again on AzBilliards Discussion Form to be on the Mosconi Cup next year, and that's all fine and dandy, but to discount Sky Woodward under him, as if Sky can't beat M.D., is a joke. Ask the pros which is the better player.
If they match up I would take Dechaine all day. Woodward has terrific potential and in a year or two he could have some big wins to elevate him to true monster status. He isn't there yet.
To see his play just 2 years ago compared to today is amazing. He has come up faster than anybody I have ever seen. He's got it together too, clean and clear headed.
Hey, Lou, a campaign on AzBilliards has worked for some pool entities to effect a change, why not for Sky?
Those who are stating Sky not being able to defeat M.D., well, how interesting is it that existing pros today, those who have seen Sky Woodward for the entire past entire year -- Scott Frost, Johnny Archer, Nick Varner, and Shawn Putnam, to name a few -- all agree he is going to exceed the existing lot today due to his capabilities he has already performed. You don't hear these pros singing the accolades of M.D. like they are Sky. Why? Because it takes a champion to recognize a champion. Heck, Keith has only seen Sky on video and came away with saying he was the best Young Gun in America today, bar none.
So everybody can be a cheerleader for who they want and continue their own campaign for their "favorite" player, but Sky's existing track record is only getting better and better and better. He sure as heck has won tournaments that M.D.might not have even made the money rounds. So how do you like them apples?
It is quite revealing to read those pushing for M.D. over and over and over again on AzBilliards Discussion Form to be on the Mosconi Cup next year, and that's all fine and dandy, but to discount Sky Woodward under him, as if Sky can't beat M.D., is a joke. Ask the pros which is the better player.
Sky can't beat MD in a long match, but, of course, he can beat Dechaine. Sky's a wonderful player and may even catch Mike at some point, but right now, if the two met in nine or ten ball, even the top pros you named would be lined up to back Mike.
If Sky thinks he's up to it, let him try some Joss Tour events and see if he can win over fields that always includes Dechaine (the top player on the Joss Tour) and Jayson Shaw (the second most successful player on the Joss Tour). Even Strickland and Sossei nearly never win when both of them are in the field. Didn't see Sky take a shot at Turning Stone, one of the five toughest fields of the year in the country.
Guess this week will be a good test. Let's see whether Sky finishes higher than the two dominant players on the Joss Tour, Dechaine and Shaw. If he does, I'll be impressed, but in the meantime, I'll just enjoy the tournament.
Wishing Sky the best of luck.
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Do you mean five players from Europe or five other players from the US?
Your evaluation is based on regional preference of Joss Tour. I love Joss Tour, but Sky Woodward has already established himself in the Midwest and Beautiful Dixie.
He doesn't have to go on M.D.'s turf to prove anything. Let M.D. come to his turf.
I would love to do a FB poll on who the pros think would win against M.D. and Sky in anything. You might be surprised at the answers, and so might I.
M.D. has sent me PMs on this forum for voicing my opinion about him. I'm one of the strongest pro proponents in this forum, as most know, much to my detriment. I wouldn't want to do anything to hinder their future careers in professional pool.
That said, M.D. folded like a lawn chair in his last Mosconi Cup match. It was out there for all to see. It was, I think, based on a lack of control of his disgust in missing shots or his emotional makeup. I'm not sure which.
Once you acquire the mechanical skills in pool, the rest is mental fortitude or strength. Some players have it; some players don't. Some fold under the pressure. Looks like Sky doesn't have this problem. :smile: