Shooter’s shoot

In the realm of eSports, many consider console gaming a laughing stock of sorts compared to the wide field of PC competitive leagues & tournaments. Of the few console eSports making marks into today’s growing eSports business, Call of Duty competitive is one to lead the pact.

Going on for well into a decade now, Call of Duty competitive continues to push the boundaries for how big console eSports can be. In such a niche’ field, one thing that CoD continues to do well is garner very down to Earth players who’s personality resonate well with the youth & old of today’s culture more than many other eSport offers.

From the freshest haircuts & slang to new Yeezy’s & dad hats galore, Call of Duty competitive players represent the culture of today. The cool kids of eSports if you will, who listen to & quote rap songs daily, live tweet & talk about events like NBA & NFL matches & talk much like our friends from our neighborhoods & schools. The players have a way of resonating with today’s culture better than any eSport I’ve followed.

Comparatively speaking, when you think sports, the one niche’ sport that resonates with the culture so well today is the NBA. The NBA & hip-hop have become long lost step brothers, the NBA players & their pre/post game fashion have become synonymous, the slang, the haircuts, everything is of the culture.

So only fitting I see it to compare the two as many Call of Duty players have in the past referred to themselves as NBA counterparts, it’s only right I make a list doing just that.

Now this list will mainly contain veterans who are still competing, who’ve established a collection of accolades and progress within their CoD careers. The comparisons will go off many factors & won’t strictly compare titles between the athletes. Also a reminder that these are solely opinion & you can add yours as well. So without further ado, we’ll start with the big names.

Patrick “ACHES” Price

Michael Jordan

ACHES — MLG

Beginning by reminding this is strictly opinion, I’m starting off with, in my opinion, the greatest of all time. Patrick Price has been playing competitively for almost a decade and has proved to be not only one of the greatest players on the sticks, but one of eSports most polarizing players.

Winning his first ring early in Call of Duty Ghost on a stacked roster set Aches’ career off. However when his teammates disbanded & formed a new dynasty in OpTic Gaming, Price was left to get back to the top on his own. 4 hard years later & he’s recently delivered, winning his second ring this past weekend leading his former organization Evil Geniuses to their first title he always promised.

20 Championships, 19 with 2 rings in boots on the ground gameplay titles, the most in his field. Before the OpTic dynasty, the leader in championships. A vocal leader in his own right. A polarizing figure that people either love or love to hate. In MJ fashion he’s stopped amazing teams from getting validation, ie his 3/4 CoD champs eliminations of rival OpTic Gaming. Like it or hate he is the Jordan of CoD having never joined amazing forces to get the job done.

Ian “CRIMSIX” Porter

Bill Russell

CRIMSIX — Dexerto

Undisputedly the leader in championships earned, but rarely referred to as the greatest of all time. Which is exactly who Bill Russell is. Crimsix has 30 championships across various titles. However he’s been on arguably the favorite team to win a majority of them. Rarely until as of late has Crimsix had to play with lesser talent than most teams, which in some eyes diminishes his championship lead. He’s one of the best & his number’s scream THE best, but the community hasn’t acknowledged it.

Seth “SCUMP” Abner

LeBron James

SCUMP — Semtexable

The king himself. Anyone who knows a shred of a thing about CoD competitive knows of OpTic Gaming’s headman Scump. Undisputedly the king of the ring in CoD. Over the years & across titles not many have been as consistent as Scump has been. His numbers are always among the top slayers in any title that comes out. His impact as a sub will go down as one of the greatest even if his accolades didn’t show it at one time in his career.

Scump started to win later in his career much like LeBron James. The leader of OpTic Gaming & the face of the eSport after Nadeshot’s departure, he brings the numbers in & fills seats single handedly. In LeBron fashion his record of championships should definitely be buffed, but slips ups and unexplainable team performances have cost him some rings down the stretch.

However much like LeBron, he continues to show consistency as he ages in his career. Any fan of the eSport knows the game will be impacted once Scump retires, much like James.

James “CLAYSTER” Eubanks

Kobe Bryant

CLAYSTER — Dexerto

The phenom & vocal fan favorite Clayster is another 10 year veteran of the craft. Comparing him to a great like Kobe should be a challenge in itself, but almost isn’t. As rare a breed Kobe was with having many championships, scoring titles, an MVP, Olympic gold medals, etc. Clayster himself is of a rare breed of CoD players all the same. Having won one of almost every Call of Duty event/tournament ever put together. From regular opens, to globals like the eSports World Cup along with rare accolades like an X-Games gold medal & of course an Advanced Warfare ring, not many can compare. (The only one he hasn’t is a CWL stage playoffs)

The crowd loving, polarizing, lead AR is among one of the most loyal professionals in his space as well. Spending years being the face of organizations like FaZe & eUnited, he rarely gets traded or does less of enough to be dropped. Albeit he hasn’t stayed with one team like Kobe with how Scump could be a better comparison in that aspect, Clayster is high among a list of loyal players in Call of Duty & it goes a long way with fan bases.

Lastly, in his own right, Mamba Mentality plays a factor in Clayster’s persona. Kobe using MM to feed off the adrenaline of his will to not lose, Clayster using his MM to feed off the adrenaline the crowd gives him when he hypes them up like none other. It’s a joy to watch as he is consistently one of the best AR’s across multiple titles & one of the biggest brands within the eSport itself.

Jordan “JKAP” Kaplan

Tim Duncan

JKAP — Dexerto

One of the easier comparisons in this article. JKap is as hard nosed a veteran as they come. Although not the flashy slayer or playmaker that most are, Kap gets the job done. He plays his game by the fundamentals, much like “The Big Fundamental” himself, Tim Duncan.

Almost a three time world champion, no one predicted the uphill curve JKap’s career took. While many veteran winners before him find themselves struggling to get back, Kap seems to always find himself as a commodity to have every title. Like Duncan, who’s amassed 5 championships under the radar, Kap’s accolades have sometimes been diminished in respect to the goat conversation because of his laid back nonchalant approach.

He’s regarded as of the best Capture the Flag players ever, so good it’s awarded the name change of “Kapture the Flag” as of late. A two time world champion with a history of great placings at the biggest stage, much like Duncan, Kap fans know he deserves more recognition.

Damon “KARMA” Barlow

Magic Johnson

KARMA — SCUF Gaming

“3 Rings” as some would call him. The only player amongst an army that has prevailed in 3 world championships for Call of Duty. Amongst many eyes, especially OpTic Gaming fans, Karma is the goat. To the subjective though, he’s amongst the goats. Much like Magic Johnson, Karma is a facilitator/distributor in a CoD sense. He does the dirty work, setting his teammates up, baiting, objective play, etc. & he does it better than most if not anyone.

The problems with Karma in comparison to Magic, is that he’s had the help & not just any help. Karma won all his 3 rings with the favorite if not second favorite to win each of them. His teams were stacked with talent which is why his championships have been discredited in many eyes. Magic had Kareem, Karma had Crim & if he didn’t he had FormaL & Scump. The only title you could argue he was a the best player on his team was his Fariko Impact Black Ops 2 championship.

However as Magic will go down as one of, if not, the best passers to grace the game, Karma will definitely go down as one of, if not, the best OBJ player to grace the main stage.

Austin “SLASHER” Liddicoat

Kevin Durant

SLASHER — Dexerto

The villain of the village. Earlier in the year & probably as of late, if you looked at the replies to any of Slasher’s tweets they’d be riddled with snake emoji. The reason being because once on a back to back championship caliber squad, in 2017 heading into WWII, Slasher decided to drop most of his successful Team EnVyus line up in hopes of getting another ring instead of another runner up.

His attitude & approach to the situation began to make fans uncomfortable with supporting him. But it wasn’t until his plan with nV severely failed earlier in the year that he again decided a change was needed. This time departing nV for a rival top team in Rise Nation, successfully creating a new dynasty of four talented players. It wasn’t until this move he became synonymous with the snake emoji exactly like KD.

It all can’t go without saying his skill warrants whatever changes he likes. Much like Kevin Durant, Austin is one of the best players in the game. A top 2 AR player in multiple titles now. His shot is as crisp as it gets & it’s scary for fans of other teams. Which along with teaming with four other WWII juggernauts, made him the villain wether he agreed or not. However he embraces the comparison, occasionally seen posting cryptic KD gifs on Twitter. It’s an easy comparison because like him or hate him, he’ll be playing for championships his way or the highway.

Johnathon “JOHN” Perez

Russell Westbrook

JOHN — Dexerto

The Pitbull. As basic an alias as “John” gets, John is by no standards a basic player. Another veteran of the scene, John is a talent, exploding on the scene in Black Ops 2, but competing well before that. An explosive SMG player who’s stats help win crucial games. He’s amassed huge numbers in games across many titles & give the best players like Scump a run for their money every-time they meet.

Albeit even though Russell still hasn’t won a championship & John has, the two compare in heart & demeanor. No stage is too big for either or them & their nonchalant laid back attitude is why people attract to them. The same explosiveness Westbrook will use to slam a dunk is the same explosiveness John uses to seal a 1v3. Both of them play a fast pace, aggressive role & do it well.

Bryan “APATHY” Zhelyazkov

Steph Curry

APATHY — Dexerto

Now bare with me here. This one seems odd, but the comparison is simple. 2 rings in 3 years. Both Curry & Apathy have amassed that. Both finding amazing success late.

Steph Curry changed the game with his 3’s & critics still discredit his value as a top player ever. Same with Apathy, he’s shown he’s a winner & can EXPLODE in a finals, but has won both his rings on underdog squads, both with a wild story of his season to tell how he even got there. Both nice on & off the field & both underrated in-terms of being the greatest to play their sport. Apathy may not have changed an aspect of the game like Curry, but they share a sentiment as one of the greatest to not be acknowledged as such, yet.

Tj “TJHALY” Haly

Allen Iverson

TJHALY — Dexerto

Iverson never won a ring, but is still considered a legend. Granted TJ Haly is just entering his prime & considered a rook, yet he’s already competed at the biggest stages of them all. His team Rise Nation were top favorited to win it all this year, but ultimately fell VERY short. Much like AI, TJ is a polarizing figure to most, but his play on the sticks garners respect amongst fans and his peers alike.

Iverson was a short dominate figure in basketball, he was afraid of no one & never censored himself. TJ is the same, he’ll speak what’s on his mind, call players out for bullshit & isn’t afraid to argue against some big names in his field. He’s earned his place though. One of the best talents in the league he’s played in grand finals before he was 18 taking on names like OpTic Gaming early in the AW season with a group of names unheard of now on his old STNNR line up.

He makes the flashy kills & plays aggressive and explosive Call of Duty. His sub is dangerous. So dangerous he almost broke the record for kills on LAN this past weekend with a 58 kill loss to tK. An amazing talent so young, the only thing he needs is the right head on his shoulder in game to make the right plays instead of the right kills. Hopefully TJ doesn’t end his career like Iverson on the outside looking in with no jewelry.

Mathew “FORMAL” Piper

James Harden

FORMAL — Dexerto

Please keep in mind these comparisons do not compare championships between the two athletes. With that said, James Harden is the best representative I could make for FormaL. Matthew Piper is a FPS god. He made his early strides in Ghost & by the end of that became a champion & all around great player. Which attracted Crimsix/OpTic Gaming who sought to form a dynasty & when they did the rest was history.

Like James Harden, FormaL had to make a pivotal decision early in his career to find the success he has. Harden had to change to a point guard early in his prime & fundamentally exploded in prestige. FormaL is one of the only two way success stories of a Halo professional turned Call of Duty professional. He’s found championship status in both & although Harden hasn’t amassed any trophies he’s making a case that he soon will.

FormaL joined the scene and quickly became known as one of the best AR’s in the game, if not ever by now. Harden started point & isn’t even regarded as the best point guard only because he’s so good fans don’t refer to him as a rightful point.

Adam “KILLA” Sloss

Kevin Garnett

KILLA — Dexerto

The legend himself. The world champion. The big ticket! I couldn’t think of anyone better to compare Adam “Killa” Sloss to than Kevin Garnett. Both relatively known amongst fans, both champions of their sport & scientist at their craft.

Killa is stapled legend in Call of Duty competitive, his charm and humorous integral way of speaking his mind attracted a fan base who’ve stuck with him through time. Much like Killa, Garnett’s social presence amongst the NBA was that of a class clown & his personality resonated with a fan base that still watches him today on Area 21.

However, humor aside, both athletes were regarded as exceptionally skilled craftsmen in their respective sports. Killa’s mind for plays & strat calling in Search & Destroy has always been amazing. As with Garnett’s play as a defensive post, versatile, big man. It’s no surprise both could be coaches one day.

Michael “SPACELY” Schmale

Charles Barkley

SPACELY — MLG

In no way, shape or form is it disrespectful to be compared to the dominant forward, one time MVP, hall of famer Charles Barkley. A veteran himself, SpaceLy has been playing a while, but hasn’t been able to call himself a champion just yet. Familiar to Chuck, & contrary to belief, SpaceLy is a decent player all around. His recent impromptu & unprecedented T8 performance at Champs this week showed such.

Although Charles didn’t receive a ring hopefully Space can get his day to shine before he wraps it up.