Originally Posted by Darren Lethem:
“The frame was already won, he had nothing to lose except the high break prize which is only 20% of what he would have got for a 147. All he succeeded in doing was letting down those fans who were there. The crowd like to see a 147, we like to see a 147, and he let them down because he doesn't care. You love him, he doesn't give a monkeys about you. A disgraceful attitude which you would not get from ANY other player. He bangs on about how he suffers with bipolar and depression, well he could have done something positive today and won the money for charities that support them.”
“The frame was already won, he had nothing to lose except the high break prize which is only 20% of what he would have got for a 147. All he succeeded in doing was letting down those fans who were there. The crowd like to see a 147, we like to see a 147, and he let them down because he doesn't care. You love him, he doesn't give a monkeys about you. A disgraceful attitude which you would not get from ANY other player. He bangs on about how he suffers with bipolar and depression, well he could have done something positive today and won the money for charities that support them.”
I see your point and am not going to specifically defend him but I think there are other ways to see it. When he initially chose not to pot the black that time to leave 140 he said later that he had done similar in practice/exhibition (?) matches with people like Hendry and they loved the audacity of it. This time I suspect he didn't want to do that because it may end with him getting urged to just pot the black again. This time he maybe wanted to fulfill his desire to essentially show he was willing and capable of passing up a 147. Even the greats would not dream of doing that so he probably thinks it is a way of setting himself apart from everyone else.
I see a parallel to the recent penalty from Messi/Suarez for Barcelona, or even the rainbow flick thing from Neymar. It is showboating and something that arguably no one else is likely to do. Yes it shows arrogance but also provides the crowd with a unique sight. I remember thinking with the 140 potential break that while there have been plenty of 147s that would have been something no one had ever seen in a big match. I completely understand the criticism but showboating always can be criticized.
Saying it is about money seems a bit lame as it suggests he really cares about that side. I am not sure how true that is but it hardly sounds good. Obviously the money has decreased because while it is not easier to do it, it is certainly much more common so they have had to take that into account. Maybe the prize seems a bit low but I don't know how much they could sensibly award if it is possible people will bang loads in.




