Why is Efren the best?
- Thread starter Sensation
- Start date
no, but he was in his 30's, and it took him a while to get past the Sigels and Stricklands
we didn't start to see his tournament domination till his late 30's, early 40's, presuming he was born in 1954
we didn't start to see his tournament domination till his late 30's, early 40's, presuming he was born in 1954
smashmouth said:
Does a great pool player want to be known as a champion at a young age? especially if more money can be made flying below the radar. Pool champions might have a hard time finding money games and if the tournaments don't pay enough money...
His first US tournament win was at Red's in Houston in early 1985, playing under the name of Caesar Morales, and he was probably 30. In that tournament, he beat Wade Crane twice, Mike Gulyassy, Danny Diliberto, Bob Hunter, Dave Matlock and Charlie Jones (in reverse order). While Hall, Strickland, Davenport, Varner, Martin, and Sigel were in that tournament, the draw didn't match them up with Efren. Caesar/Efren had the highest TPA in the tournament of .896. Efren also missed the hit on only one kick in 26. Although he did not make the top 15 in break performance (balls on the break), he had the best run-out percentage from the break of 32.8% and in the racks when he pocketed a ball, he ran out 58.8% of the time. He was also best in misses per 100 balls and position errors in 100 balls.smashmouth said:
still question that he had a gift, and a little more explanation
Saying that is in no way a slap at Efren. However, sports history is covered with stories of people with little natural ability or even handicaps that went on to become Olympic gold medallists, the best the world had to offer at that point in time. Most pro sports have similar stories. Wayne Gretsky used to get a little miffed about being described as having a natural gift since he felt it made little of the thousands of hours he had put into being the best.
Consider this: What are the odds of Efren stumbling on the one thing that he was most ideally suited for and that could help feed his family at age nine? I strongly suspect that had he taken up shooting a pistol as Jerry did and pursued it with the same dedication that he put into pool he would have became a world champion pistol shooter. Another Filipino is in fact.
Efren may have a natural gift for pool. I think it is far more likely that he has reasonable hand/eye coordination, a nimble mind, and that he had great hungers. Pool filled his needs and he took to it like a duck to water.
Hu
hardknox222 said:
Saying that is in no way a slap at Efren. However, sports history is covered with stories of people with little natural ability or even handicaps that went on to become Olympic gold medallists, the best the world had to offer at that point in time. Most pro sports have similar stories. Wayne Gretsky used to get a little miffed about being described as having a natural gift since he felt it made little of the thousands of hours he had put into being the best.
Consider this: What are the odds of Efren stumbling on the one thing that he was most ideally suited for and that could help feed his family at age nine? I strongly suspect that had he taken up shooting a pistol as Jerry did and pursued it with the same dedication that he put into pool he would have became a world champion pistol shooter. Another Filipino is in fact.
Efren may have a natural gift for pool. I think it is far more likely that he has reasonable hand/eye coordination, a nimble mind, and that he had great hungers. Pool filled his needs and he took to it like a duck to water.
Hu
Adapted from a previous post of mine:
Efren has advanced the science of the game of nine ball in three ways: 1) his shot conceptualization is more insightful than any player of the last fifty years, 2) he has used inside english in ways that haven’t been seen before, and 3) he has used billiards knowledge to greater advantage than any player of the last fifty years.
Shot Conceptualization
The basic situations (other than the break) in nineball are running the table, defense, and kicking. Most of us focus on only one of these at a time, but all accomplished players understand that there are interrelationships between the three. We’ve all considered these fairly complex questions at times:
1) Can I and should I give up some position to manage the downside if I miss the shot?
2) Can I and should I play the safety in a way that manages the downside if I don’t get the snooker?
3) Can I and should I play this kick in a way that will produce a safety?
4) Can I and should I kick try to kick this ball in and, if so, can I get position? Can I manage my downside if I miss the kick?
Nobody has ever considered and sorted through these types of questions more thoughtfully than Efren.
Inside English
Most of us are downright scared of using inside english, but we use it. Far fewer of us use it in defensive play, and even fewer of us use it when we slow roll the cue ball. Efren has demonstrated the power of inside english in a way that no other player of the last fifty years has. The great John Ervolino, a former world one-pocket champion, has watched every player since Greenleaf, and he once told me that Efren, in his view, is the greatest inside english player that has ever played the game.
Use of Billiards Knowledge
In position play, kicking and defense, Efren has set a new and higher standard for judging and creating cue ball and object ball paths, and his application of billiard knowledge in the kicking game surely qualifies him as the best kicker that has ever played nineball.
Conclusion
As we all realize, Efren has also advanced the sicence of pool in some of the other disciplines, especially in one-pocket. He is a pool trailblazer in every respect.
We love to watch Efren because he sees the table in a way that nobody has ever seen it, and for that reason, there’s always a chance that, by watching him, we will see something that is so innovative, creative, and brilliant that we will be inspired. He leaves us intrigued by the possibilities that stand before us when we play pool, and thereby motivates us as pool players. Simply put, he has more different ways to win than any other player in pro pool.
Efren has advanced the science of the game of nine ball in three ways: 1) his shot conceptualization is more insightful than any player of the last fifty years, 2) he has used inside english in ways that haven’t been seen before, and 3) he has used billiards knowledge to greater advantage than any player of the last fifty years.
Shot Conceptualization
The basic situations (other than the break) in nineball are running the table, defense, and kicking. Most of us focus on only one of these at a time, but all accomplished players understand that there are interrelationships between the three. We’ve all considered these fairly complex questions at times:
1) Can I and should I give up some position to manage the downside if I miss the shot?
2) Can I and should I play the safety in a way that manages the downside if I don’t get the snooker?
3) Can I and should I play this kick in a way that will produce a safety?
4) Can I and should I kick try to kick this ball in and, if so, can I get position? Can I manage my downside if I miss the kick?
Nobody has ever considered and sorted through these types of questions more thoughtfully than Efren.
Inside English
Most of us are downright scared of using inside english, but we use it. Far fewer of us use it in defensive play, and even fewer of us use it when we slow roll the cue ball. Efren has demonstrated the power of inside english in a way that no other player of the last fifty years has. The great John Ervolino, a former world one-pocket champion, has watched every player since Greenleaf, and he once told me that Efren, in his view, is the greatest inside english player that has ever played the game.
Use of Billiards Knowledge
In position play, kicking and defense, Efren has set a new and higher standard for judging and creating cue ball and object ball paths, and his application of billiard knowledge in the kicking game surely qualifies him as the best kicker that has ever played nineball.
Conclusion
As we all realize, Efren has also advanced the sicence of pool in some of the other disciplines, especially in one-pocket. He is a pool trailblazer in every respect.
We love to watch Efren because he sees the table in a way that nobody has ever seen it, and for that reason, there’s always a chance that, by watching him, we will see something that is so innovative, creative, and brilliant that we will be inspired. He leaves us intrigued by the possibilities that stand before us when we play pool, and thereby motivates us as pool players. Simply put, he has more different ways to win than any other player in pro pool.
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Along with intuition, desire, and the fact that he has incorporated multiple disciplines into his game, i.e 3-C, snooker, etc.. I think there is one thing that everyone is glossing over that I think bearsa lot of weight..
Efren simply always stays positive at the table. When he misses, it is usually with a grin, even at the most crucial of times.
Do you know how important this is in sports psychology? Compare Efren to Corey. Personally, I think Corey's speed is very close to Efren's, but Corey don't get there as often as Efren. You know why I think that is? It's because when Corey gets off to a bad start, you see him over there shaking his head, with a disgusted look on his face.
Al that does for Corey is makes it easier for him to miss when he gets back up to the table.
When Efren's opponent lucks out and gets a safe on him, does Efren get an annoyed look on his face? Never. He has a puzzle to solve, and he gives all the positive energy he has over to solving the puzzle. No need to waste energy on bemoaning your fate.
Negative mental energy is what is keeping Earl Strickland from winning another U.S. Open. He still has all the tools. He is still capable of putting a six pack down on an opponent, his mind just won't let him get there.
Efren has "the heart of a champion". We always hear that term bandied around. What does it mean? IMHO, I think it means always being ready for the opportunity when it comes, and giving the opportunity your full positive attention and effort.
One of the most positive people you'll ever meet is Tommy Kennedy. And he is still knocking em dead in Florida, GA, etc.
Russ
Efren simply always stays positive at the table. When he misses, it is usually with a grin, even at the most crucial of times.
Do you know how important this is in sports psychology? Compare Efren to Corey. Personally, I think Corey's speed is very close to Efren's, but Corey don't get there as often as Efren. You know why I think that is? It's because when Corey gets off to a bad start, you see him over there shaking his head, with a disgusted look on his face.
Al that does for Corey is makes it easier for him to miss when he gets back up to the table.
When Efren's opponent lucks out and gets a safe on him, does Efren get an annoyed look on his face? Never. He has a puzzle to solve, and he gives all the positive energy he has over to solving the puzzle. No need to waste energy on bemoaning your fate.
Negative mental energy is what is keeping Earl Strickland from winning another U.S. Open. He still has all the tools. He is still capable of putting a six pack down on an opponent, his mind just won't let him get there.
Efren has "the heart of a champion". We always hear that term bandied around. What does it mean? IMHO, I think it means always being ready for the opportunity when it comes, and giving the opportunity your full positive attention and effort.
One of the most positive people you'll ever meet is Tommy Kennedy. And he is still knocking em dead in Florida, GA, etc.
Russ
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its funny to me, i'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but after watching him play in Hardtimes in 88-90, I said back then he is the best living pool player, i saw it in him all those years ago, now its a hot topic. of course I have also made as many mistakes too, I thought that Earl would beat his demons and relax a bit. I still think Earl is a better 9B player than Efren- when everything is right in his mind.
ShootingArts said:
I think of natural ability, or talent if you will, as defining the limit of one's abilities. Not everyone realizes their full potential, and clearly Efren has realized a great deal of his potential. But you have to have the potential to begin with--if you didn't, you could never have gotten that good. And natural ability is what delineates the boundary of our potential.
He has great focus because he eats duck embryo eggs.
That's a very good point. A good local player in Chicago made the comment once that Efren didn't look that tough but once he was involved in a match with him he said he totally drained him mentally and physically.Barboxlegend21 said:
He said he couldn't believe the pressure he had to deal with. I think your comment explains this. Philw
philw said:
Maybe some kind of hypnosis
As Russ said... the positive energy emited from this man must be impressive. He seems to respect everyone and everything. He's timid. He knows he's the best.. believes in himself. He worked more than all of the others and he's gotta be paid for it.
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