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Author Topic: Chris Barnes  (Read 7888 times)

TWOHAND834

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Chris Barnes
« on: January 25, 2004, 01:28:17 AM »
Fellow BR Members:

I love to watch Chris Barnes bowl.  He is smooth and very intense.  But, is it me, or does it seem as though he has a very hard time getting through a game without leaving a big split?  Everytime I watch him on tv, he seems to get into a groove, like today.  When out of nowhere, 3 board tug and it is split city.  Is it just a loss of concentration?  Is it a mental block?  I wanted to scream when I saw him leave the 4-6-7 after a 4 or 5 bagger.  When he makes a show, I keep thinking that this is his time.  No splits, no opens.  It always seems to happen in the latter stages of the match, from 6th frame on.  Can anyone else elaborate on this?
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JOE FALCO

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Re: Chris Barnes
« Reply #46 on: January 27, 2004, 11:41:05 PM »
I stand corrected .. I took VALUED as VALID .. I apologize!
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bamaster

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Re: Chris Barnes
« Reply #47 on: January 28, 2004, 01:10:51 AM »
quote:
So now you are saying that i dont respect the beauty of his stroke? Or his positive accomplishments? Because if thats what you are implying you are very mistaken.


Huh?  Where are you getting this?  

If I wanted to say that, I would have bluntly said that.  The fact that you respect the beauty of his stroke yet still say negative things about him is what my last post was all about.

I'm done beating a dead horse and done with this thread.

spanky

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Re: Chris Barnes
« Reply #48 on: January 28, 2004, 03:15:05 AM »
There seems to be a lack of concensus on the definition of choking. To me, if a professional bowler (or other athlete) makes a mistake (misses mark, timing is off) then he choked. I treat making a mistake and choking as the same thing. Choking probably is more applicable to a pressure situation, though. On tour and on TV certainly qualifies. Based on those definitions, we don't need to be professionals to say somebody choked, just be able to observe they made a mistake. It's as simple as pulling a shot or not getting enough fingers in the ball and it comes up light.
 Now I'm not calling anyone a "choke artist" or anything like that, but let's face it, some people handle pressure better than others. I think you can be a good bowler and a choke artist at the same time. If you consistently make the broadcast and come up short of the title, what are the reasons. If it's 'cause your opponent rolls a 289...ok. If it's because one more strike to seal the win and you pull it, bad release, timing is off, whatever, you're choking. If you bury the ball and get a 9 count, that's not choking.

Phillip Marlowe

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Re: Chris Barnes
« Reply #49 on: January 28, 2004, 01:04:40 PM »
quote:
There seems to be a lack of concensus on the definition of choking. To me, if a professional bowler (or other athlete) makes a mistake (misses mark, timing is off) then he choked. I treat making a mistake and choking as the same thing....If it's because one more strike to seal the win and you pull it, bad release, timing is off, whatever, you're choking.


Two things:

First, this is probably the sentiment underlying the "choke" label.  I believe all athletes choke at times (when they are being candid, they will admit it)  Most professional athletes have the following definition of "choke": that the pressure of the moment causes them to "tighten up" and change their game to such an extent that they make poor shots or poor decisions.  What Barnes did wasn't choking.  He didn't make a perfect shot. Human beings and professional athletes are not perfect (see here the fact that no one throws it to the pocket all the time), we make mistakes -- our physiological (we can't control our bodies to the extent that we are perfectly the same and consistent and perfect every time) and psychological systems (mainly the ability to focus and concentrate) just don't allow us to be perfect -- we are not throbots or Iron Byrons.  All too often, we label something as a "choke" when it is just the effect of being non-robotic.


Second, Chris Barnes is a great player.  He has won five times.  He puts himself in place to win alot.  Nicklaus placed second more often than he won.  So did Anthony.  Not winning is not choking.  I'm a fan of his obvious talent and class.


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