Team Liquid: Hi Andy! Let's start by giving the fans a little bit of introduction. Tell us a little about yourself.

Andy (Smoothie) Ta: Hello, I'm Andy "Smoothie" Ta, support player of team liquid, and former support player for TDK

TL: Great! So you were the support for TDK, and now Liquid. I know TDK had an excellent roster but it did not come together till way late in the 2015 season. On the other hand, Team Liquid is a consistent top team, and next season, they have higher hopes for Worlds. Can you tell us how different that experience is, going from a fresh team to a top tier team?

(Smoothie): I think the biggest difference between the teams for me personally would be the infrastructure and support staff. Even with an OK roster, not having a mutual understanding of how to play the game at a macro level, and relying only on mechanics to win isn't how you win League of Legends at the highest level.

TL: And coming into this Liquid Roster--replacing long time veteran Xpecial, and supporting a World Champion in Piglet--what's that like? Is there a lot of pressure or new things you have to adjust to?

(Smoothie): The expectations for me coming into the team were extremely high. I think Piglet especially had high expectations of me because of my solo queue performance in the past which were just mechanical feats. I'd be lying if I said that it was easy to adjust to the team and how they wanted to play. Compared to how I played back on TDK, Team Liquid had a much better understanding of the game and I had to still be taught but eventually results came and I'd say we're in a good spot now. We can only go up.

TL: Love to hear that! Having played with Piglet for a good amount of time now, how is the bot lane synergy? Fans are really dying to see the combination in action. Can you talk a little about how you fair in scrims, duo queue, or any fun stories to share on that?

(Smoothie): Since the beginning, even before I joined Team Liquid I played with Piglet in solo queue a lot and we played pretty well together. However it actually was kind of worrisome in scrims, because me and him weren't on the same page at first but starting recently we play a lot better with each other and instead of feeling like 2 people being forced to play with each other, it feels more fluid and I know what he wants and he knows what I want. Performance wise, we've been pretty consistent. A lot of good results in the lane in both duo queue and scrims so I'm happy for that.



And I don't really have any stories, ha!

TL: Alright, so now that we've talked about your place in the organization a little, let's back track alittle.



So, how did you get your start in gaming then eventually competitive gaming? Were you always a gamer, or just League of Legends?

Smoothie: The only games I really played for extended periods of time before League of Legends, were Maplestory and Runescape. Aside from those, once I started playing League, I played League only for fun, never thinking I'd play competitive. It was surreal to me when TDK asked me to tryout for the team. I gave up a lot to be where I am and I'm just glad it wasn't for nothing.

TL: So you were always good, and TDK just randomly approached you?

(Smoothie): I don't actually think I was good, I was just the best out of the selection they had. I was just your average Master tier player.

TL: Ah, but they gave you a chance! That's awesome (And 'average' and 'Master' just sound so absurd in the same sentence haha.).



Since you were, and still are, so young, have your parents been supportive?

(Smoothie): My parents, like any other parents were huge advocates of me finishing schooling before deciding to do anything big with my life. They were really against me going and in order to convince them, my dad actually flew out to California and watched me play live for the NACS vs NME. He got to see the Riot Studio, our hotel, the players and since then he's been an advocate for my choices in life. My mom on the other hand is still on the edge though haha.

TL: who are your favorite champions and did you choose the Support life, or did the Support life choose you?

(Smoothie): My all time favorite champions would have to be Thresh, Bard and Alistar because they all fit my play-making play style. I'd have to say I chose the support life, because back in the day where supports were pretty neglected and didn't make much gold so a lot of people didn't play the role in solo queue. I chose to play support because nobody else did but after playing several games of Thresh I was pretty hooked (Kappa)

TL: Any outside hobbies besides playing LoL since joining TL? (I hear stories about these... Legendary biceps)

(Smoothie): The only hobbies I guess I can say I have outside of league, is going to the gym and hanging out with friends

TL:As we close out. What are your expectations going into the 2016 LCS season. And what are some of your personal thoughts on the new teams, rosters, etc in NA?

(Smoothie): My personal expectations is to be within the top 3 and I think with time and our new support staff we can make this a reality. NA as a region has become extremely strong this LCS season, with the integration of new and old players in the NA LCS from different regions especially. Getting into worlds this year is going to be difficult, but I think we can do it.

TL: Positive attitude! Any final words to the fans, or people who helped get you here?

(Smoothie): Thank you all my fans who have supported me though all my hardships and I'll do my best to validate the support I've been given this season.

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New seasons can often hold new faces. While Smoothie holds just enough LCS experience to shift eyes in his direction, he's still fresh and joins the Team Liquid line-up with a tall order: being the bottom lane duo partner of a World Champion. Young, ambitious, but ready to take on the big stage, we decided it was time to sit down with TL's new addition and get to know him a little more.