Clare said:
Artie, could you please tell me what your definition of the "best" is? In other words, the "best" according to whom and to what standards?
To be honest. I do not think anyone can say who is the best. Just like in all the other sports you cannot pick out one player.
Because he is our choice or we think he is the best.
THe best is a combination off doing everything great. Shooting Banking playing with no mistakes.
And by howe the play against the greatest players.
Witch will never happen. And cannot be provem. Its onlt a opinion. Like betting on a sporting event.
Somebody always wins and somebody always loosee.
Too say someone is the best they have too prove it. And that cannot be done.
If Eferine would have played the great players when one pocket was at its best.
When Taylor Rags Bugs Ronnie Kelly Jersey Red Cornbread red. Cannonball Young Blood Clem. If he would have beat these players in thier prime witch he did not.
THen at least you would have a case. But he didnt play any off these players in thier prime.
Take a good look at who he beat and who was in that field. Not too much. And Even hokines was going down hill.
Who did he realy beat? Scott and Gab were just learning.
The only player was clif and maybe Shannon. Thier realy areant even ten solid players that played in the league with the players back then.
Very weak field that Eferine one at.
Just a handfull off players. And back then you had Shorty Mike Carillo Even Blackie Baby face Marvine henderson. Detroite whity Grady Squarale. I mean I can go on forever.
Todays field is very short. And I didnt even mention Whimpy DAnt Dwelaberto Billy Incardone Canadian Pete. Ronberg Louie Roberts. THey just had way more good one pocket players.
To say that one player is or was the best. Is just a opinion.
Thier is no such person. And I watched Eferine play Eight Ball and he has a lot too learn.
Like I said Appalton Is one off the few players that realy plays the game.
And Eferines great exicoution gets him out off a lot off trouble. And people cannot compete against his great ability. And great control.
Nobody realy is in his clas today playing one pocket. Excepte a few players. Like Scott Alex Jeramie Jones. And thats about it. Corry will get thier and Chriss may get thier.
But thats about all that I see. A very small field off great players. And Cliff and Gab are not playing thier game.
Thats it.
In nine ball and ten ball its a different story. You have about 10 or 15 solid players.
Even Bank pool the field off great players is short.
And Straight pool is not what it use too be. With Mizrack Siagle. Hopkins Rimpie Pete Morgo. Kelly Danny Whimpy Ceane Mosconie Carras Bassals Worst Jersey red and meny more.
And THe eight ball field is not too much either. And Back then thier were not too meny great eight ball players. EXcepte on the bar.
And the only player I lost too playing eight ball was Cannala. And I couldnt get no eight ball action.
And I have never seen anyone in the USA playeight ball correctly.
Appelton playes the game correct. And Thier was another player who played the game correct. In the IPT From Canada or England. He was from one off those countrys.
And I dhowed Larry the player. I told him too watch him because he knowes and plays the game correct.
It is hard to discuss the game off Eight ball and one pocket. With people who dont play the game the correct way. And they never learned.
They played great and they no the shots and moves. And Bank good and shoot good.
And even play safe good. But they realy dont no the game. Eight ball or one pocket.
Erale could be the best if he learns. Because he banks great. And shoots great. And he has the tools too be the best today.
IF he learnes the game. And who knowes if he even wants too learn. Appalton. I would say Is a great all around player.
And if Eferine played him. Straight pool Eight ball nine ball and onepocket. And ten ball. I would take applelton.
Because he is a better player. Eferine might still win because off his ability and talent.
But I dont think so. Applelton playes all games great and the correct way.
And I dont no howe he plays snooker. But he probable plays that great too.
And I like Eferines Attitude and personality better then Applelton.
And I give Eferine the edge as having more Heart. And Eferine today is the greatest player under pressure.
He showes up and performs when he has too do something too win.
No matter what Eferine is a great champion. And he is in the Top 5 greatest players off all times.
And I like everything he does. He is the man that people want too see play.
And he gives the audeance what they came for. I belive with more knowledge Eferine could have been the greatest. But I dont think he reachet that levele. In knwledge.
The last 15 or 20 years. Yes I would say that Eferine was the best.
I cannot see anything too change that. Today its a little different.
Because he is not going up and these other players are. And thats what usualy happines. THe old get replacet. By the young.
But he has had a great run. And he will go down as one off the greatest.
And one last note. I would also have too say that Eferine played more pool then any other player in life.
Thier are a few youger players that may end up playing more.Then Eferine.
But nobody played as much pool as Eferine not even Half as much. And weay=ther you belive it or not. Eferine played since he was a little bot tell no .
And never quite playing. And that also makes a big difference. Because you stay in stroke.
The players today play 3 or 4 times as much as players back then use too play.
And they are always playing compation too and that helps too improve yout game.
I think the players today should play even better then they play. Because off all the matches and games they play.
Its a different time and pool has changed. And nothing better to help your game and learn then tooplay every day.
Against compatition. I gave you the facts and howe much more they play today then they use too play.
And I cannot pickout one player and say he was the best. And be fair too the other great player.
And every game a different player playes that game better then another player.
And the old records will be brocken. Because thats what records are made for.
Who knowes what the future holds for the up and comeing players. WE had out time and I am tankfull for having the chance too play.