Lee to quit snooker?

[matoski]

To be fair, who would miss Lee? The Masters was possibly the worst standard for an event we have seen for over a decade, Lee's run to the final was against Dott (a broken man), Ebdon (woefully out of form on the day) & Fu (ditto).

It was a fluke final and he got hammered. He's a spent force, he'll never be a contender again.

Some times I wonder do you like snooker at all? Stephen Lee is the best cueist in the world recognised by the experts. I'm sure lots of true snooker fans will miss him if he retires so early.

[thelongbomber]

Some times I wonder do you like snooker at all? Stephen Lee is the best cueist in the world recognized by the experts. I'm sure lots of true snooker fans will miss him if he retires so early.

Ya, totally agree. His is a great cueist. Thorne is a bit too critical of his playing style always saying he doesn't go into the pack enough, but its a style that could work given a bit of refinement. I think when Lee plays someone that he knows isn't cuing well, he could afford to take a bit more risk and open the pack more.

I also hate to mention the obvious, but he really does need to lose weight (even its very tough for him genetically). It will only help his confidence on the baize.

[adrift]

In the 90's he was my favourite player because of his smooth cue action. Shedding some weight would help him, as he plays too many shots with the rest because his bulk doesn't enable him to stretch very far

[elvaago]

He's the best cueist of all times bla bla bla bla bla. Why hasn't he won more than a small handful of tournaments and why did he catapult out of the top 16? I'm really tired of hearing about Lee's smooth cueing when it obviously doesn't matter at all.

[adrift]

He's the best cueist of all times bla bla bla bla bla. Why hasn't he won more than a small handful of tournaments and why did he catapult out of the top 16? I'm really tired of hearing about Lee's smooth cueing when it obviously doesn't matter at all.

He has a suberb cue action. I don't know why you can't see that. I can't think of any smoother than his. Its perfect. Winning tournaments? temperament, belief , desire.. and I think he could have been World Champion if his weight had not become such a big an issue

[RonnieJunior]

I think it's just a bit of a knee jerk reaction in the heat of the moment. We heard Mark Williams say saomething similar a few months ago. What are they supposed to do with all their time if they retire so early? He will be back. Maybe needs a Mcdonalds meal to cheer him up

lol maybe he should work in McDonalds!

[Marc]

He's the best cueist of all times bla bla bla bla bla. Why hasn't he won more than a small handful of tournaments and why did he catapult out of the top 16? I'm really tired of hearing about Lee's smooth cueing when it obviously doesn't matter at all.

I think it was willie thorne that originaly said that lee had a Rolls Royce cue action but He's definitly too unfit now, his ranking points have shrunk while his waistline has continued to expand. He has been very negative in his shot selection recently too.

[thelongbomber]

He's the best cueist of all times bla bla bla bla bla. Why hasn't he won more than a small handful of tournaments and why did he catapult out of the top 16? I'm really tired of hearing about Lee's smooth cueing when it obviously doesn't matter at all.

Ding! Ding! Rooouuuunnddd 1. Here we go. I can feel the heat rising from this flame ware already (licks lips and rubs hands together).

OK, look.. yes, its been said again and again that Lee should do better. However, you must consider that in the top 10 in the world in ANY sport, the differences are tiny. In almost every case in every sport, the differences between competitors are rarely technical. They are mental. Each player has to condition his mind to play under tense conditions. Technically speaking Lee couldn't have a more fantastic cue action. You can see it in the screw shots, and incredible power he generates. Is this cue action all just his unique talent? Perhaps not. He could have a great piece of ash, or it could his physical size (=momentum) and it could also be the tip size (it seems smaller than normal). But his lack of confidence in playing shows very clearly. He plays a bit too cautiously and doesn't go enough for the shots we all know (well those of who actually watch him) can make.

I do believe in Lee's case its this:

losing weight = more confidence off the table = more confidence on the table = going for more shots = winning more

At that point, when he starts believing in himself, he can start watching others play (as Willie has suggested more than once) and learn a different way to break build.

Point is, Lee is not producing what his cue action allows him to.

[GOMH71]

Ding! Ding! Rooouuuunnddd 1. Here we go. I can feel the heat rising from this flame ware already (licks lips and rubs hands together).

OK, look.. yes, its been said again and again that Lee should do better. However, you must consider that in the top 10 in the world in ANY sport, the differences are tiny. In almost every case in every sport, the differences between competitors are rarely technical. They are mental. Each player has to condition his mind to play under tense conditions. Technically speaking Lee couldn't have a more fantastic cue action. You can see it in the screw shots, and incredible power he generates. Is this cue action all just his unique talent? Perhaps not. He could have a great piece of ash, or it could his physical size (=momentum) and it could also be the tip size (it seems smaller than normal). But his lack of confidence in playing shows very clearly. He plays a bit too cautiously and doesn't go enough for the shots we all know (well those of who actually watch him) can make.

I do believe in Lee's case its this:

losing weight = more confidence off the table = more confidence on the table = going for more shots = winning more

At that point, when he starts believing in himself, he can start watching others play (as Willie has suggested more than once) and learn a different way to break build.

Point is, Lee is not producing what his cue action allows him to.

Very well put, Sir. To those of us who have never been there it is all to easy to make various assumptions about Pro Snooker. In general terms Stephen has took his eye off the ball. It has taken his removal from Snooker's elite to see that. He will now show what he is made up...or not, as maybe.

I know which I believe will be the case...

[Billy]

To be fair, who would miss Lee?

That's fair?

I like Lee and really hope he reconsiders. One thing's for sure, if he does quit, then he certainly won't be a contender again.

[Signal Fire]

That's fair?

I like Lee and really hope he reconsiders. One thing's for sure, if he does quit, then he certainly won't be a contender again.

I have no problem with him, i just think he's another bland also-ran in the game.

I've still never quite forgiven him beating Dave Harold in the 1998 LG Cup Semi either!

[Cyril]

I hate to say it but, I have to agree with Willie Thorne for once. Watching Stephen the last couple of years, he has become very much an 80's style player. Pot the loose reds, fail to develop the pack, then run away for safety and wait for another chance. With his talent he should be winning more frames in a single visit and that means breaking the reds up earlier.

[Darth_Spud]

Maybe he needs a coach/new coach, could make a world of difference... and maybe a personal trainer.

[Signal Fire]

I hate to say it but, I have to agree with Willie Thorne for once. Watching Stephen the last couple of years, he has become very much an 80's style player. Pot the loose reds, fail to develop the pack, then run away for safety and wait for another chance. With his talent he should be winning more frames in a single visit and that means breaking the reds up earlier.

Willie should know, he was just as bad.

[Billy]

Willie should know, he was just as bad.

What d'you mean? Willie talks a fantastic game. He gets a 147 everytime he commentates.