I want Jason Brown and Richard Dornbush. For me, they have the best programs of the American Men this year. Not only that, but these programs are all FUN too. Not just in a simplistic way either, but with a genuine and mature delivery. It would be a nice contrast to see at the Olympics, with all of the the super-serious programs that everyone else in the World is doing.
Jason Brown SP
Jason Brown LP
Richard Dornbush SP
Richard Dornbush LP (this Beatles program is better than Takahashi's this season...)
Both of these men are very capable on the technical side as well, if they skate their best. Jason Brown showed he can do a perfect LP with two 3Axels at Junior Worlds last year and his spins/footwork are among the best in the World. Dornbush has been inconsistent the past couple years, but he really does have very good technical ability. He already mastered the "perfect LP with no Quad" back in 2011 and he's just been trying to incorporate the Quads into his programs ever since then, which has tended to throw off other parts of his skating. He is the American man with the highest scoring potential if he actually puts it all together and I think this season he can make that push.
-----
Thoughts on the rest of the American Men and why I don't think they are as good this season:
Jeremy Abbott - His LP has been watered down choreographically from what it was in 2012 and an annoying music edit has been added in. This program is no longer special. It's just run-of-the-mill CoP fare. Abbott can still be a special performer at times, but this program no longer sets him apart. The same goes for his SP, which is such an empty attempt at something "different".
Max Aaron - His programs and basic movement are the worst. He has the highest technical potential but is he actually capable of delivering 3 Quads in the LP? I highly, highly doubt it.
Adam Rippon - He still doesn't have a consistent 3Axel and his Quad is nowhere near consistent, not to mention that it should always be getting -3 GOE in the SP, since there are NO transitions going into it (required for the solo SP jump). I think his programs have some nice qualities, but they aren't particularly creative or memorable. He has really improved his basics, but ultimately it's not enough considering the jump issues.
Joshua Farris - An all-around good skater that has yet to show anything truly special.
Ross Miner - He was so good at 2011 Worlds (should have finished 5th!). I was hoping he would continue to build upon that, but unfortunately his programs and skating since then have always been less interesting. Since he has also been incredibly inconsistent on the technical side lately, this really isn't his season.
Jason Brown SP
Jason Brown LP
Richard Dornbush SP
Richard Dornbush LP (this Beatles program is better than Takahashi's this season...)
Both of these men are very capable on the technical side as well, if they skate their best. Jason Brown showed he can do a perfect LP with two 3Axels at Junior Worlds last year and his spins/footwork are among the best in the World. Dornbush has been inconsistent the past couple years, but he really does have very good technical ability. He already mastered the "perfect LP with no Quad" back in 2011 and he's just been trying to incorporate the Quads into his programs ever since then, which has tended to throw off other parts of his skating. He is the American man with the highest scoring potential if he actually puts it all together and I think this season he can make that push.
-----
Thoughts on the rest of the American Men and why I don't think they are as good this season:
Jeremy Abbott - His LP has been watered down choreographically from what it was in 2012 and an annoying music edit has been added in. This program is no longer special. It's just run-of-the-mill CoP fare. Abbott can still be a special performer at times, but this program no longer sets him apart. The same goes for his SP, which is such an empty attempt at something "different".
Max Aaron - His programs and basic movement are the worst. He has the highest technical potential but is he actually capable of delivering 3 Quads in the LP? I highly, highly doubt it.
Adam Rippon - He still doesn't have a consistent 3Axel and his Quad is nowhere near consistent, not to mention that it should always be getting -3 GOE in the SP, since there are NO transitions going into it (required for the solo SP jump). I think his programs have some nice qualities, but they aren't particularly creative or memorable. He has really improved his basics, but ultimately it's not enough considering the jump issues.
Joshua Farris - An all-around good skater that has yet to show anything truly special.
Ross Miner - He was so good at 2011 Worlds (should have finished 5th!). I was hoping he would continue to build upon that, but unfortunately his programs and skating since then have always been less interesting. Since he has also been incredibly inconsistent on the technical side lately, this really isn't his season.