amazingxkcd Profile Blog Joined September 2010 GRAND OLD AMERICA 15736 Posts Last Edited: 2016-08-24 20:59:49 #1



Team Liquid: America’s Caricature





The first week of TBS’s E-League finished with a bang. The winners, Luminosity Gaming, had the ride of their life against the upstarts Cloud9 -- the best way to commemorate the return of Counter-Strike to the realm of traditional television.



However, the unexplored story of the week is not Luminosity’s win, nor the shocking display of tenacity and hunger Cloud9 summoned in their challenge to the Brazilians. No, the most pressing narrative of the week was the failure of Team Liquid, the tragedy of the once assumed dream team that made it to the semifinals of the historic MLG Columbus.



0-8.



The reward granted to Liquid for their efforts at E-League. The score line that will come to haunt them for a long time, the mirror that laughs at them. For all the efforts that Spencer “Hiko” Martin has made with his valiant mission of succeeding in North America, he hits another wall. For all of the work put into Team Liquid to propel it into the super team that fans can rally behind, the team instead has regressed into something sinister, something nefarious.



Team Liquid has become the perfect microcosm of NA CS.



Over the last 2 years, multiple pundits within the Counter-Strike community have given commentary on the inherent problems that have existed within the professional North American scene. Topics ranging from insularity of the top teams, overpowering egos, lack of desire to improve, etc have all been deliberated on and discussed in great lengths. While some of the aforementioned problems have improved, they still linger about. This time, they have latched onto the Team Liquid squad.



The first week of TBS’s E-League finished with a bang. The winners,Luminosity Gaming, had the ride of their life against the upstartsCloud9 -- the best way to commemorate the return of Counter-Strike to the realm of traditional television.However, the unexplored story of the week is not Luminosity’s win, nor the shocking display of tenacity and hunger Cloud9 summoned in their challenge to the Brazilians. No, the most pressing narrative of the week was the failure of Team Liquid, the tragedy of the once assumed dream team that made it to the semifinals of the historic MLG Columbus.0-8.The reward granted to Liquid for their efforts at E-League. The score line that will come to haunt them for a long time, the mirror that laughs at them. For all the efforts that Spencer “Hiko” Martin has made with his valiant mission of succeeding in North America, he hits another wall. For all of the work put into Team Liquid to propel it into the super team that fans can rally behind, the team instead has regressed into something sinister, something nefarious.Team Liquid has become the perfect microcosm of NA CS.Over the last 2 years, multiple pundits within the Counter-Strike community have given commentary on the inherent problems that have existed within the professional North American scene. Topics ranging from insularity of the top teams, overpowering egos, lack of desire to improve, etc have all been deliberated on and discussed in great lengths. While some of the aforementioned problems have improved, they still linger about. This time, they have latched onto the Team Liquid squad. Still Choking





For the games that Liquid has played this past week, they have exemplified the primary issue with North-American counter-strike; NA teams still can’t close it out. In their match against Luminosity Gaming on Cobblestone, Team Liquid dominated the Brazilians to close the first half 13-2. One would suppose that they have gotten past their choking woes from Columbus. Yet, the final result echoed that of the Columbus semifinal; Luminosity Gaming climbed back and won the game 16-14.



Their match against the underdogs Renegades? Liquid gets an explosive first half on CT side of Mirage and earn an 11-4 half to their name. Liquid can’t choke again! It’s not like they are playing against Luminosity, right? Once again, Liquid failed to close the game out; the valiant holds by the Aussies nets them a hard earned 16-14 win over the defeated Americans. It does not help Liquid’s case that they had a few games where they failed to score more than a handful of rounds, especially against their fellow American compatriots Cloud9.



For the games that Liquid has played this past week, they have exemplified the primary issue with North-American counter-strike; NA teams still can’t close it out. In their match against Luminosity Gaming on Cobblestone, Team Liquid dominated the Brazilians to close the first half 13-2. One would suppose that they have gotten past their choking woes from Columbus. Yet, the final result echoed that of the Columbus semifinal; Luminosity Gaming climbed back and won the game 16-14.Their match against the underdogsRenegades? Liquid gets an explosive first half on CT side of Mirage and earn an 11-4 half to their name. Liquid can’t choke again! It’s not like they are playing against Luminosity, right? Once again, Liquid failed to close the game out; the valiant holds by the Aussies nets them a hard earned 16-14 win over the defeated Americans. It does not help Liquid’s case that they had a few games where they failed to score more than a handful of rounds, especially against their fellow American compatriotsCloud9. Coaching or Cheerleading?



Hopeful -- perhaps delusional -- fans have pointed out that Liquid just had recent roster changes, finalizing their roster with the departure of Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev and hiring Luis “peacemaker” Tadeu to coach the team, as explanations for the distraught performances.



The team’s public relations post-matches reveal elsewise.



One of the primary criticism of Team Liquid in the past was the hiring of James “GBJames” O’Connor and his ineffectual coaching of the squad. It does not help that his attempts to defend himself has been naught but a futile attempt to save face. In a recent twitter exchange between him and the esports director of Team Liquid, we gain some important insights into James’ tenure at Team Liquid.







While Robin’s response affirms some of the criticism directed towards the ex-coach, it reveals that there were some friction within the Team Liquid organization; a situation not unlike Joona “natu” Leppänen’s short stint at Ninjas in Pyjamas that was riddled with animosity between the Finn and the Swedish management. Whatever the problems that persisted James, the players, and the organization, Peacemaker has a harsh road ahead of him. Can he patch up the punctures and amend the tears in the cohesion of the squad?



Hopeful -- perhaps delusional -- fans have pointed out that Liquid just had recent roster changes, finalizing their roster with the departure ofOleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev and hiringLuis “peacemaker” Tadeu to coach the team, as explanations for the distraught performances.The team’s public relations post-matches reveal elsewise.One of the primary criticism of Team Liquid in the past was the hiring ofJames “GBJames” O’Connor and his ineffectual coaching of the squad. It does not help that his attempts to defend himself has been naught but a futile attempt to save face. In a recent twitter exchange between him and the esports director of Team Liquid, we gain some important insights into James’ tenure at Team Liquid.While Robin’s response affirms some of the criticism directed towards the ex-coach, it reveals that there were some friction within the Team Liquid organization; a situation not unlikeJoona “natu” Leppänen’s short stint atNinjas in Pyjamas that was riddled with animosity between the Finn and the Swedish management. Whatever the problems that persisted James, the players, and the organization, Peacemaker has a harsh road ahead of him. Can he patch up the punctures and amend the tears in the cohesion of the squad? 0 practice makes 0 perfects



Team Liquid’s coaching woes lead themselves to another meme of NA CS; inconsistent practice. After their 0-2 defeat at the hands of Chad "SPUNJ" Burchill and co., Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski carried out a twitter rant, elucidating his frustrations over the last couple of months with the team. His statements gave insight into the woes of Liquid with s1mple; as stated by many other NA pros, practices in North America has not been beneficial.







Elige makes the case that their run at MLG Columbus was a fluke, a miracle. That they did not deserve to make such a run is aghast to their fans. Nevertheless, Elige is right. Liquid did have a miracle granted to them at Columbus, and could have very well reached the finals had they closed out the games against Luminosity. Having terrible practice routines definitely contributed towards the failures at Columbus, and subsequent failures at other events.











It is important to point out that one who skimps out on practice -- whether they do not take it seriously or outright disregard it -- cannot expect to perform in competition. Sure, Team Liquid catches a lucky break and makes it to the semifinals, but they fell to Luminosity in situations where due practice would have prevented. How many times has it been for Liquid in the last year where they lost while absurdly ahead? Too many times to dismiss it as a non-issue.



Team Liquid’s coaching woes lead themselves to another meme of NA CS; inconsistent practice. After their 0-2 defeat at the hands ofChad "SPUNJ" Burchill and co.,Jonathan “EliGE” Jablonowski carried out a twitter rant, elucidating his frustrations over the last couple of months with the team. His statements gave insight into the woes of Liquid with s1mple; as stated by many other NA pros, practices in North America has not been beneficial.Elige makes the case that their run at MLG Columbus was a fluke, a miracle. That they did not deserve to make such a run is aghast to their fans. Nevertheless, Elige is right. Liquid did have a miracle granted to them at Columbus, and could have very well reached the finals had they closed out the games against Luminosity. Having terrible practice routines definitely contributed towards the failures at Columbus, and subsequent failures at other events.It is important to point out that one who skimps out on practice -- whether they do not take it seriously or outright disregard it -- cannot expect to perform in competition. Sure, Team Liquid catches a lucky break and makes it to the semifinals, but they fell to Luminosity in situations where due practice would have prevented. How many times has it been for Liquid in the last year where they lost while absurdly ahead? Too many times to dismiss it as a non-issue. Hiko’s Cloud9 Conundrum





Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.



- George Santayana





By cruel twisted fate, Hiko finds himself in the same situation that he spent one whole year escaping; the same cesspool of problems as his stay in Cloud9 encountered. Perhaps it is the threads of fate dwindling from Hiko’s sworn oath to herald the fabled super star team of North America. Perhaps it is the cyclical nature of history. With the s1mple experiment horribly failing, an ultimatum have been served to Hiko; a decision must be made.



Does he continue with Team Liquid, comprised of known quantities and owners of a disappointing year in Counter-Strike? Does he try to grow Koosta into a star awper, develop under Peacemaker’s in-game leadership, and take one attempt?



Will Adren regain some of the voodoo that transcended him into Godren? Will Koosta harden himself against the onslaught of jeers and criticism and come out stronger? Will Nitro have his heart rekindled by the love of the game and reignite his motivation to improve? Will Elige carry out his role as Ponyboy Curtis and keep the team bonded, united?



Or will Hiko leave the organization and start once anew? To once again be left with nothing but broken memories of what could be, growing stronger from the experience? To break up Liquid, the team that could but didn’t? Leaving Team Liquid might be the nuclear option for the veteran. On the same token, all the players have one last opportunity to become the dream team of North America. With the last role swaps transpiring, this is the watershed moment for Team Liquid.



The clock is ticking.







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By cruel twisted fate, Hiko finds himself in the same situation that he spent one whole year escaping; the same cesspool of problems as his stay in Cloud9 encountered. Perhaps it is the threads of fate dwindling from Hiko’s sworn oath to herald the fabled super star team of North America. Perhaps it is the cyclical nature of history. With the s1mple experiment horribly failing, an ultimatum have been served to Hiko; a decision must be made.Does he continue with Team Liquid, comprised of known quantities and owners of a disappointing year in Counter-Strike? Does he try to grow Koosta into a star awper, develop under Peacemaker’s in-game leadership, and take one attempt?Will Adren regain some of the voodoo that transcended him into Godren? Will Koosta harden himself against the onslaught of jeers and criticism and come out stronger? Will Nitro have his heart rekindled by the love of the game and reignite his motivation to improve? Will Elige carry out his role as Ponyboy Curtis and keep the team bonded, united?Or will Hiko leave the organization and start once anew? To once again be left with nothing but broken memories of what could be, growing stronger from the experience? To break up Liquid, the team that could but didn’t? Leaving Team Liquid might be the nuclear option for the veteran. On the same token, all the players have one last opportunity to become the dream team of North America. With the last role swaps transpiring, this is the watershed moment for Team Liquid.The clock is ticking.Writer: Amazingxkcd Editor: Yamato CSS: FO-nTTaX Graphics: David-Scott The world is burning and you rather be on this terrible website discussing video games and your shallow feelings