Posted by: jlake02

Soap Box is a user generated editorial column which features the thoughts and opinions of the coL Community. This piece does not necessarily reflect the official views of the Los Angeles compLexity or its parent companies. Feel free to submit an article to compLexitySoapBox@gmail.com for consideration.

Soap Box: Collision Course

By: Greg Uttelman

Where are the titles?

Over the past 4-5 years compLexity fans have been treated to a smorgasbord of championships, both online and on LAN. Different games have come and gone like COD, DOD, Quake4 and DOTA. Each division was always amongst the top of its game, and the wins flowed in like sweet honey.

So what has happened? Where are the coL wins of the past? How can such a storied organization go from winning ESWC and WSVG titles to 2-10 in CGS and under .500 in CEVO 1.6?

Regardless where the blame lies, the organization obviously needs changes and the faces we’ve come to love over the past year-plus will be changing.

But when?

TRADE TIME

For those of us who carefully follow CGS, we remember that after the draft and before the season, Taxi Trades were allowed. Sunman went to Dallas and Hanes came over from Core, for example.

If CGS is trying to replicate the gaming format in the vein of traditional sports, you can bet your bottom dollar TRADES are coming very soon. I’m betting full trading, and I’m betting it’ll start when the Pro-Am begins. Leaving the teams the same between July and the March draft is both boring and non-sportsman. Every sport in the world has trades, and I think CGS will start doing them sooner rather than later. Assuming this is true (for the purposes of this editorial) then some compLexity players are headed for a collision course. But who will go? What can Jason Lake do to fix his organization? Below are my opinions on who I think should go. If you’d like (and compLexity allows me) I’ll follow up with another article on who I think should be brought in. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments that follow.

Counter-Strike

Let’s start with CS, the game most coL fans watch the most. coL.cs had a subpar year, finishing 6-6 after a 10-2 2007 season and a CGS world title. What went wrong? Was it the departure of Zet? I don’t think so because Hanes’ numbers were comparable. Was it a lack of team chemistry? That’s possible because Hanes joined very late. Is it because the players are getting older and losing the famous compLexity passion? We might be onto something….

Roster: Warden, Storm, fRoD, Rambo, Hanes

Who to trade: Rambo and Warden

Before I get stabbed by some hardcore coL fans, let me explain. Rambo is entering his mid 20’s after being a CS star for over 7 years. It’s my fear he’s losing his drive and his strats are not keeping up with today’s newer teams.

Warden, although the oldest compLexity member and team motivator, has had an abysmal year overall. He wasn’t the Warden of 2007 in the CGS season when the team needed him the most and has been a bottom feeder on compLexity’s return to 1.6. For whatever reason, one of my favorite players has apparently lost his edge.

Trade Rambo?

Trade these two players and get in some young, fresh talent.

DOA4

DOA4 isn’t as hard as Counter-Strike, but don’t be fooled: it’s not easy either. The obvious choice after two horrible seasons is to dump Belle. Lake had balls re-drafting her in 2008 but it didn’t pay off. Perfect Legend, however, was a no-brainer pick for Lake that blew up in his face. What a horrible season he had for a “top” DOA player in the country. He really let his franchise down and they wasted a first round pick.

Roster: Belle, Perfect Legend

Who to trade: Perfect Legend

Again, people will think I’m crazy, but think about this. Belle is improving, but pretty much every other team is happy with their DOA-F. Nobody is going to trade for Belle right now. Perfect Legend, however, still has potential and there might be a GM out there willing to bet he’ll be over his stage fright and rock in 2009. Unload PL now and hope the draft brings a new crop of DOA-F talent to choose from.

Forza2

Forza2 was another controversial move by Lake and although the squad didn’t cost the franchise a lot of points this season, they didn’t bring home many either. There’s no way compLexity can keep this roster the same, but who goes?

Roster: Chavisan, GTO

Who to trade: Chavisan

In my opinion Chavisan raced much better in 2007 and needs to go. If Lake can find someone to take him, then it’s time to make the move. However, that being said, I’d also reach into the compLexity Taxi Squad and bring up Davinci. Let’s get two fresh racers and see if we can get some points.

FIFA

After a very solid 2007 Kreegan really choked this year. Who could have predicted that? He has been one of the best FIFA stars in USA for years, and it had to shock the team when he started losing. Unfortunately, I don’t see any other teams who are desperate for FIFA talent so I don’t think there’s a trade to be made here.

Roster: Kreegan

Who to trade: Nobody

So there you have it. If, in fact, CGS is going to institute a trading system like I imagine, then compLexity has to make some moves in the offseason. Let’s get a new bunch of faces to bring back some glory to America’s best organization.

Again, if readers request it (and compLexity allows it) I’ll publish part 2 of this article which lists who I think coL should pick up.

Thanks very much to Greg for his contribution. If you'd like to be published at compLexityGaming.com, email us your contribution at compLexitySoapBox@gmail.com for consideration.

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Unless we see who these players are getting traded for, this right now sounds like a "Get Rid Of Em" editorial, and I'm not a fan of that.

It's like hearing that the Giants were going to trade Tim Lincecum in the offseason. That's bad enough, but then to find out it was going to be for Alex F'n Rios? That made the prospective deal horrendous.

--GCII

http://www.getyourtournament.com

I think Rambo would be worth a lot on a trading "market", but to be honest I don't see many teams doing many trades in the *offseason* like this 'soapboxer' believes.. Maybe some pickups, though..

Michael Fleming
http://LACompLexity.thecgs.com
http://www.insideresports.com - #insideresports

It would be VERY tough to let Rambo go. How many proven strat callers are there? Good in-game leaders are RARE.

I'd wanna protect fRoD and Storm though. Do you see what new blood did for 3D.NY? It's not about talent anymore. The skill gap is narrower than it was in the past. It's all about motivation.

Kreegan and PL are awesome, but seem to be under performing.

This article is good stuff.

So you wanna trade your entry fragger and your strat caller ? well now that clearly cannot work. Obviously Warden did not have the season he wanted but hes a great player that is usually very consistent.

Referenced post #8 by books

#8
and the two you mentioned are by far the best players to have ever played the game, ever. Both statistically and play wise, they are almost the most dominating players ever. Only close player to them? F0rest, and even then he's not even close.

I love warden, and i thought he should've been protected instead of zet(which was a good call on my part as zet left and warden stayed), and he's far from a bottom feeder. He's been near the top or in the middle(at least the games/halves i've watched) since almost every game since the nuke match where he went like 4 - 30.

Drop rambo and hanes. Both great players, but don't really fit what complexity is, and can't fill the void that zet/sunman and tr1p left....especially tr1p. I'd get whoever calls strats for zombliers(lin correct?) and then pick up either exodus,or griff.

I'd wouldn't drop PL ever. Not even for master or offbeat. He's just to good, although he has a major case of stage fright, which near the end of the season he seemed to have shaken off.

Belle, while being a okay player, shouldn't have stayed. She's not even a DOA player... SHE'S A CS PLAYER! pick of raspberrytea. She won the combine last year did she not?

New blood for forza. Maybe keep one of the two, but i think that by next season their shoudl be a better players out there.

I agree with the rest.

Last modified on 8/25/2008 at 11:36 pm EST

http://www.insideresports.com/
#insideresports
"let's dispute fRoD he carries"
CoL4life

Referenced post #11 by var1ables

[quote|8]
and the two you mentioned are by far the best players to have ever played the game, ever. Both statistically and play wise, they are almost the most dominating players ever. Only close player to them? F0rest, and even then he's not even close.

I love warden, and i thought he should've been protected instead of zet(which was a good call on my part as zet left and warden stayed), and he's far from a bottom feeder. He's been near the top or in the middle(at least t...he games/halves i've watched) since almost every game since the nuke match where he went like 4 - 30.

Drop rambo and hanes. Both great players, but don't really fit what complexity is, and can't fill the void that zet/sunman and tr1p left....especially tr1p. I'd get whoever calls strats for zombliers(lin correct?) and then pick up either exodus,or griff.

I'd wouldn't drop PL ever. Not even for master or offbeat. He's just to good, although he has a major case of stage fright, which near the end of the season he seemed to have shaken off.

Belle, while being a okay player, shouldn't have stayed. She's not even a DOA player... SHE'S A CS PLAYER! pick of raspberrytea. She won the combine last year did she not?

New blood for forza. Maybe keep one of the two, but i think that by next season their shoudl be a better players out there.

I agree with the rest.

#11

Pick up raspberrytea just because she won the combine last year? And the flaming begins....

I enjoyed reading this article.

I support Belle. Who do you support?
Proud CoL Community Member since 2003.

Referenced post #12 by IndependenT

[quote|11]

Pick up raspberrytea just because she won the combine last year? And the flaming begins....

I enjoyed reading this article.

#12
She should've been picked this year. You can't argue against that. If you place first or second the combine you should go into the draft being an automatic pick, it shouldn't be if you are picked. It should be WHEN you are picked.

She might be back2back combine champ(for lack of a better term). if she isn't drafted next year, i will be amazed.

Last modified on 8/26/2008 at 12:28 am EST

I just want to point out that RaspberryTea was second at last combine. Mystik placed first with a win over RTear; I believe 5-4.

Mystik was selected in the last round as the second to last pick to Carolina Core.
Belle was selected in the third round to LA CompLexity.

Jake believed that Mark was after Belle, and moved her up in his draft selection.
Mark stands by his opinion that he always wanted Mystik and it was all strategy.

"and the two you mentioned are by far the best players to have ever played the game, ever. Both statistically and play wise, they are almost the most dominating players ever. Only close player to them? F0rest, and even then he's not even close."

While fRoD has the best gamesense statistics ever (they don't even count every event, and are many times inaccurate..), don't push him and Storm onto pedestals that cannot be 100% confirmed. There are many other teams and combos that have dominated over the years. But Storm B and fRoD watching cat was absolutely amazing.

"Belle, while being a okay player, shouldn't have stayed. She's not even a DOA player... SHE'S A CS PLAYER! pick of raspberrytea. She won the combine last year did she not?"

First year she was a CS player who had recently changed. Jake believed in her. By the next year she was 100% DOA and has been ever since. She accomplished in other games and has the mentality Jake knew and believed in. Yes, it failed, but Jake did do what he thought was right. I've already answered the Rtea stuff.

I appreciate your criticisms. I wouldn't judge SOURCE players who just came back to 1.6 so hard though. We are most definantly struggling atm to be able to keep up in CEVO-p and are working hard to adjust our gameplay to the tempo 1.6 requires. We are well aware of our mistakes I myself watched a bunch of matches during ESWC just to see how some of the top teams now a days are maintaining their team play. Our goal is to make the CEVO-p Playoffs and make a strong showing in those playoffs. I appreciate the support because my internet has been harsh to me over the past weeks. We will see what is to come.

CSS:

AS MUCH AS i hate to defend the guy above me. I must say that Leave the chemistry with the core 3 of the team. (Warden, Frod, Storm) drop Rambo and Hanes. Im just saying that rambo yes is getting up there in age and Hanes i have always thought never really molded right to fit in with col. (just imo) I think though the mentality of picking up players who are young and fresh is the best idea col can do for css.

DOA4:

Belle should be gone. Sry just gone gone gone gone bye bye bye (thats all i have to say about that b4 i get banned again for bashing a cgs player)

PL keep him. Let him shake his stage frieght or w/etf he had going on with him. And watch him dominate next season

Forza: Dont care personally i think it should be removed racing games never interested me

Fifa: Kreegan FTW.

CS: Not gonna walk in that mine field.

Doa: Belle and PL need to be thrown back into the pool. Theres going to be alot of new blood coming in and you never know when the next NinjaCW and Phoenix could be sitting right in front of you.

Forza: Check out the new blood before deciding on keeping GTO and Chavi.

Fifa: Kreegan just had a rough season. Who didnt last year? Keep this guy.

first official, newoptimeranomplexina fan.
Insider Esports ftw!!
First ever CGS live caller!!

Bring in some pure source blood, look what happened to venom and 3d =]

look at most of top fraggers from all the teams

venom - brawr (source player))
3d - noit (source player)
core - devour (source player)
optx - moe (source player)
col - frod (1.6) no source players on team to compare to
chimera - stevenson (1.6) no source players on team to compare to

There is a perfect mix to be had of source and 1.6 players and venom and 3d have definitely found it

theres also a lot of teams with players struggling who seem to be mostly from a 1.6 background, 1.6 players can make the transition to source no doubt, but if they arent passionate about source as they are 1.6 then they wont make it to the same level they were in 1.6

great examples of players doing great in both games are ksharp, volcano, grt, dominator, frod, org, zid (I think its fair to say all of those players except frod love both source and 1.6)

and then there are players who dont seem to want to adjust or just simply cannot... im sure you all know who they are, no point in pointing them out

anyways 1.6 players need to fully take in source as their only game if they want to succeed, i realize col loves 1.6 and thats why theyre playing it, but is it worth risking your chance at getting drafted next season? I guess if you have enough trust in lake that he will draft you 100% regardless of results, but that brings up a totally different issue.

Last modified on 8/26/2008 at 4:22 am EST

#MMArts

you cant trade warden!!! warden storm and fr0d are coL!
"Was it the departure of Zet? I donâ��t think so because Hanesâ�� numbers were comparable." the numbers dont mean everything, a lot of it has to do with teamwork which frod warden and storm definitely have

Referenced post #20 by eMkoo

bring back sunman and trip ^^

#20

i completely agree

Last modified on 8/26/2008 at 9:52 am EST

I'd keep Kreegan, PL, fRoD, Storm, Warden, Rambo (I have a weak spot for the css team)

And yes I know I picked six while you're allowed to protect only five

And as the finishing touch, God created the Dutch.

1 mediocre season and people want to cut the cs team....gg

FYI they arent going to beable to dominate every year. Thats whats made col so successful in cs in the past. When all the other teams had a new roster for cs every other week becuase some1 had a bad outting. Col kept theirs the same as long as all the players still had the passion and it worked out for them. Why change a winning strategy?

Last modified on 8/26/2008 at 12:07 pm EST

Join the RAK movement
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Soap Box: Collision Course

Posted by: jlake02

Soap Box: Collision Course

TRADE TIME

Counter-Strike

DOA4

Forza2

FIFA

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