USA MC Captain

[lfigueroa]

But, Trump might grab her by the pu$$y if the USA wins and gets a trip to the white house!!!

It is a Male Captain America! Not some pillow biting skirt! Let Earl coach and pick the team!

Kd

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

I'm thinking that if el Trumpola tried that move on Jennifer she'd kick him the nuts so hard he'd never try it again. She strikes me as that kind of a lass

Anywhos, I think Jennifer is our best bet.

An Open Letter to Jennifer Lawrence

Dear Jennifer

Your country needs you.

For the last several years a team of Europeans has beat our country at a game the USA used to dominate: pool. Yes, that’s right. One, two, three, four, five, six pockets in a table. Pockets that mark the diff’rence between a gentlemen and a bum, with a capital “B," and that rhymes with "P" and that stands for pool!

I am asking that you consider the position of Captain of the 2017 USA Mosconi Cup team.

We would need you to be available for a few days, December 4-7, 2017, in Las Vegas. I'm sure a very nice room could be comped for you at the Tropicana.

With you as our country’s Captain I have no doubt that you would inspire our lads to finally defeat the Euros after many years of defeat. It would not take more than a hug and a peck on the cheek and our players would go out and lay waste to the European team and bring their scalps, back one at a time, and lovingly lay them at your feet. (Well, OK, in the case of one Euro player, an ear would have to suffice.) Think of the screenplay possibilities: "Field of Dreams" meets "A League of their Own" by way of "The Color of Money."

I hope you will look favorably upon this urgent request and help your country’s pool players in their darkest hour.

Best regards

Lou Figueroa

 

[rexus31]

Camaraderie is easy when you win all the time.

It's needed even more so when the chips are down.

 

[garczar]

As soon as a position for US MC Manager is posted we should nominate Jay. But right about now... the job available is: Captain.

Lou Figueroa

You wanna play word games? Go right ahead. You know what i meant. The captain's job/role is as much ceremonial as functional. He makes the line-ups and then becomes a cheerleader. The fact that he was-or-wasn't a "great" player at one time isn't really a factor. My .02 worth, that's all.

 

[Carolina_Giant]

First off, our team captain should be American. Sorry Lee Brett

Second, our team captain should be a pro-level player. Sorry Ozzy and Jay.

Third, our team captain should be someone who is currently competing, knows what the players specs are nowadays, and not a past champion. Sorry JA.

Fourth, our team captain should be someone respected across the industry, articulate, and a fierce current day competitor in his own right.

I think when all is said and done, It should be Jeremy Jones, if he'll take it. It's a thankless job.

Lou Figueroa

I agree with point 4 and possibly 1. I do not agree with points 2 or 3. Being a leader and a captain is different from being a top rated player.

Some of the best coaches across multiple sports I ever met were not top players. But they were great coaches, great motivators, top notch teachers, and they were above all else LEADERS. They were not there to be your friend or sympathize with your hardships, though some can successfully take that route. I think in particular of Herb Brookes and the 1980 USA Hockey Team. Yes Brookes had played, but ultimately he was left home from an Olympic Squad, which went on to win without him. But it was his coaching and leadership qualities that helped him bring those USA players along, not just his experience on the ice.

A captain and leader needs to not only be able to empathize with the people under them, but also to have an ability to see the larger picture rather than just the present moment. This is why it would be difficult for a current player to be a captain. With a distance from the table comes an ability to look beyond ego and glory to see strategy and context. A lot more goes into being a captain than just being successful as a player.

Finally, I think if the qualification was that the coach had to be a current or high top professional player, not every one of those folks can teach people what they know effectively. They are likely better at doing rather than teaching or leading. Having had success in the game may not prepare a coach or team to deal with adversity.

 

[Chicagoplayer]

Can't argue-

I think, in the case of pool, it is an important factor. Hard to captain a bunch of pros when you can't or have never played at their level.

Lou Figueroa

Can't argue that...

But that's tantamount to ego and teaching an old dog new tricks.

Can our 'ego' then be a cause of the power drain the USA is experiencing?

Should we rely less on ego and more on fundamentals?

Watching the owners of The Cubs come in with one goal, to win- they found it essential to bring new blood in.
Pool is a microcosm of the universe and likewise, reflects the world around it.

 

[lfigueroa]

You wanna play word games? Go right ahead. You know what i meant. The captain's job/role is as much ceremonial as functional. He makes the line-ups and then becomes a cheerleader. The fact that he was-or-wasn't a "great" player at one time isn't really a factor. My .02 worth, that's all.

No I didn't know what you meant. Words matter. I just got admonished for using EU for Euro. Though I suspect everyone knew "what I meant" it was wrong.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

I agree with point 4 and possibly 1. I do not agree with points 2 or 3. Being a leader and a captain is different from being a top rated player.

Some of the best coaches across multiple sports I ever met were not top players. But they were great coaches, great motivators, top notch teachers, and they were above all else LEADERS. They were not there to be your friend or sympathize with your hardships, though some can successfully take that route. I think in particular of Herb Brookes and the 1980 USA Hockey Team. Yes Brookes had played, but ultimately he was left home from an Olympic Squad, which went on to win without him. But it was his coaching and leadership qualities that helped him bring those USA players along, not just his experience on the ice.

A captain and leader needs to not only be able to empathize with the people under them, but also to have an ability to see the larger picture rather than just the present moment. This is why it would be difficult for a current player to be a captain. With a distance from the table comes an ability to look beyond ego and glory to see strategy and context. A lot more goes into being a captain than just being successful as a player.

Finally, I think if the qualification was that the coach had to be a current or high top professional player, not every one of those folks can teach people what they know effectively. They are likely better at doing rather than teaching or leading. Having had success in the game may not prepare a coach or team to deal with adversity.

Well, just think if you're at the pool hall and a guy who plays nowhere near your speed comes up and starts telling you what you have to do to improve your break or beat a particular opponent. How does that sit with you?

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Can't argue that...

But that's tantamount to ego and teaching an old dog new tricks.

Can our 'ego' then be a cause of the power drain the USA is experiencing?

Should we rely less on ego and more on fundamentals?

Watching the owners of The Cubs come in with one goal, to win- they found it essential to bring new blood in.
Pool is a microcosm of the universe and likewise, reflects the world around it.

I don't disagree with that however pool is a weird sport.

Lot's of ego, testosterone and it draws a lot of loners, IMO. All else being equal, given the choice between a captain who is an amateur level player vs a captain who can or has played at pro level, I'm thinking the pro level player is the smarter choice. I would like to think that all factors will be dooley considered in selecting a captain. IOW, it's not going to be a case of: he's a great player but lousy with people nor visa versa. We should get the best "whole package."

Which brings me to this: were just kicking the can around here until the announcement. For all we know the fix is in and the choice already made.

Lou Figueroa

 

[BeiberLvr]

Well, just think if you're at the pool hall and a guy who plays nowhere near your speed comes up and starts telling you what you have to do to improve your break or beat a particular opponent. How does that sit with you?

Lou Figueroa

Depends on if he's right or wrong.

You should stop confusing knowledge and the ability to execute said knowledge.

 

[grindz]

Has anyone tried to contact players on past teams to try and get a
consensus of what was beneficail in the past??

td

 

[cleary]

I think, in the case of pool, it is an important factor. Hard to captain a bunch of pros when you can't or have never played at their level.

Lou Figueroa

Not following that logic. Weird how championship winning coaches like Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra, Bill Belichick, John Harbaugh, Mike McCarthy, Bruce Arians, Mike Tomlin, Pete Carroll, Joe Maddon never played professionally. And that's just some current coaches who have won championships. Half the NBA coaches never played in the NBA and most of the ones who did, were garbage time players. Most NFL head coaches never played in the NFL. But yea, to motivate 5 pool players to play well together, you should be a pro lol. #nowonderwesuck

The captain needs to be a motivator. A leader. Inspiring their squad, bringing out their best. Harnessing their egos to work to their advantage. Making the player larger than the moment. Turning fear into fuel... That's how a coach coaches. That's what the American squad is lacking. And I don't think they'll find the answer because of mindsets like yours.

 

[cleary]

Well, just think if you're at the pool hall and a guy who plays nowhere near your speed comes up and starts telling you what you have to do to improve your break or beat a particular opponent. How does that sit with you?

Lou Figueroa

Cause that's what the captain needs to be doing... giving these players lessons. jesus... You never cease to amaze me Lou.

 

[ribdoner]

Has anyone tried to contact players on past teams to try and get a
consensus of what was beneficail in the past??

td

playing someone that was inexperienced, unseasoned, outclassed and basically sucked

i also think a new captain has been selected, i doubt if our enjoyable debate carried much weight in that process

how, when and by who our players are selected will influence the event results to a much greater degree than who the captain is UNLESS the captain also functions as the general manager with MUCH greater input with regards to player selection

 

[Carolina_Giant]

Well, just think if you're at the pool hall and a guy who plays nowhere near your speed comes up and starts telling you what you have to do to improve your break or beat a particular opponent. How does that sit with you?

Lou Figueroa

If that person's advice is sound and knows what they are talking about, I don't care if they have no arms, no legs, and talk through a voice amplifier. Some of my most valuable observations and lessons I've learned playing pool came from people who couldn't run four balls consecutively on any given day. Again, having a good game is not the only way to motivate players to play better, or to teach. And at this point, if Americans cannot take their heads out of the sand to listen to a coach and work on their individual game and stroke flaws to be more complete players, then they deserve the short comings.

I'm all about finding personal style and such, but with perhaps the exception of Earl, the most successful American players had solid fundamentals and preshot routines. Also, the American game must adapt to train better with kicking and safety battles, or we will continue to be made fools of anywhere outside the US.

 

[jay helfert]

Not following that logic. Weird how championship winning coaches like Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra, Bill Belichick, John Harbaugh, Mike McCarthy, Bruce Arians, Mike Tomlin, Pete Carroll, Joe Maddon never played professionally. And that's just some current coaches who have won championships. Half the NBA coaches never played in the NBA and most of the ones who did, were garbage time players. Most NFL head coaches never played in the NFL. But yea, to motivate 5 pool players to play well together, you should be a pro lol. #nowonderwesuck

The captain needs to be a motivator. A leader. Inspiring their squad, bringing out their best. Harnessing their egos to work to their advantage. Making the player larger than the moment. Turning fear into fuel... That's how a coach coaches. That's what the American squad is lacking. And I don't think they'll find the answer because of mindsets like yours.

Thanks for this Cleary. In one post you've encapsulated what it takes to be a good manager/captain of any team. You said more in one paragraph than Lou in all his dozens of nonsensical posts.

By the way, to your point made in paragraph one, I was a competent pool player at one time in my life, good enough to occasionally win matches against name players and cash in professional tournaments. Danny Diliberto called me a Shortstop for life, which I took as a compliment, a Shortstop being a solid B to low level A player.

I can lay claim to teaching a One Pocket shot to Efren, which he proceeded to practice 30 or 40 times until he had it down pat. On another occasion I showed Buddy a shot he did not know how to make and won money betting on it. :smile:

What I'm most proud of is being able to motivate many players in winning efforts. I had big wins when partnered with Danny D., Tang Hoa, Keith, Danny Medina, Dennis Orcollo and many others.

 

[Johnnyt]

This sizes it up by Cleary.


The captain needs to be a motivator. A leader. Inspiring their squad, bringing out their best. Harnessing their egos to work to their advantage. Making the player larger than the moment. Turning fear into fuel... That's how a coach coaches. That's what the American squad is lacking. And I don't think they'll find the answer because of mindsets like yours.

PS: Just for the record I pick Jay as captain, based on all the things he said he'll do to bring in a winner...and he will do what he says he'll do. I trust what he says. Johnnyt

 

[SJDinPHX]

Thanks for this Cleary. In one post you've encapsulated what it takes to be a good manager/captain of any team. You said more in one paragraph than Lou in all his dozens of nonsensical posts.

By the way, to your point made in paragraph one, I was a competent pool player at one time in my life, good enough to occasionally win matches against name players and cash in professional tournaments. Danny Diliberto called me a Shortstop for life, which I took as a compliment, a Shortstop being a solid B to low level A player.

I can lay claim to teaching a One Pocket shot to Efren, which he proceeded to practice 30 or 40 times until he had it down pat. On another occasion I showed Buddy a shot he did not know how to make and won money betting on it. :smile:

What I'm most proud of is being able to motivate many players in winning efforts. I had big wins when partnered with Danny D., Tang Hoa, Keith, Danny Medina, Dennis Orcollo and many others.

Cleary is right Jay..and given your proven skills as a coach and a player, I can't imagine anyone more qualified than you to captain the US MC cup team!..Unlike the Euro's, the US pro's (no matter who) have always been a notoriously hard bunch to unite, and motivate..If you can't do it, it probably can't be done!

 

[lfigueroa]

Not following that logic. Weird how championship winning coaches like Gregg Popovich, Erik Spoelstra, Bill Belichick, John Harbaugh, Mike McCarthy, Bruce Arians, Mike Tomlin, Pete Carroll, Joe Maddon never played professionally. And that's just some current coaches who have won championships. Half the NBA coaches never played in the NBA and most of the ones who did, were garbage time players. Most NFL head coaches never played in the NFL. But yea, to motivate 5 pool players to play well together, you should be a pro lol. #nowonderwesuck

The captain needs to be a motivator. A leader. Inspiring their squad, bringing out their best. Harnessing their egos to work to their advantage. Making the player larger than the moment. Turning fear into fuel... That's how a coach coaches. That's what the American squad is lacking. And I don't think they'll find the answer because of mindsets like yours.

lol, not following the logic.

Pool does not have a system for growing coaches. Gregg Popovic was a Kansas volunteer assistant back in ’86 way back before coaching the SA Spurs; Erik Spoelstra was a Miami Heat assistant way back in ’97 before coaching the Maimi Heat; Bill Belichick was a special assistant way back in ’75 at Baltimore before coaching New England; John Harbaugh was a Western Michigan running backs coach way back in '84 before coaching the Baltimore Ravens; Mike McCarthy was at Fort Hayes State way back in ’87 before coaching the Green Bay Packers; Bruce Arians was at Virginia Tech way back in '75 as a graduate assistant before coaching the Arizona cardinals; Mike Tomlin was VMI wide receivers coach way back in ’95 before coaching the Pittsburgh Steelers; Pete Carroll was at Pacific way back in ’73 as a graduate assistant before coaching the Seattle Seahawks; and Joe Maddon started out as a scout for the Angels way back in ’93 before coaching the Cubs.
And in the interim they all had other positions that let them grow and gain experience and become successful.

You want to bring someone in off the street and have them coach the Super Bowl, lol.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Cause that's what the captain needs to be doing... giving these players lessons. jesus... You never cease to amaze me Lou.

Yes. The captain needs to help them learn what deficiencies they need to work on to defeat defeat their opponent.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

If that person's advice is sound and knows what they are talking about, I don't care if they have no arms, no legs, and talk through a voice amplifier. Some of my most valuable observations and lessons I've learned playing pool came from people who couldn't run four balls consecutively on any given day. Again, having a good game is not the only way to motivate players to play better, or to teach. And at this point, if Americans cannot take their heads out of the sand to listen to a coach and work on their individual game and stroke flaws to be more complete players, then they deserve the short comings.

I'm all about finding personal style and such, but with perhaps the exception of Earl, the most successful American players had solid fundamentals and preshot routines. Also, the American game must adapt to train better with kicking and safety battles, or we will continue to be made fools of anywhere outside the US.

If they have not already achieved those points you mention in your last paragraph I would say they need a qualified coach to help them, not an amateur player. And that would be a pro level player, no?

Lou Figueroa