I remember last season (Bacchus OSL, Avalon MSL), there was a lot of dissatisfaction among TLers in terms of lack of big name players and lack of dynamic matchups. Primarily, the excess of BoX ZvZ's, and the failures of big name players. Well, I hope this season, people are a little less bitter, a little more excited, and maybe we won't excuse resentment and unapologetic, blatant disrespect of players like before.
In the EVER OSL, we have one of each race in the semifinals, with no mirrors. That sounds like something we want. There's a chance that we could have *gasp* another ZvZ final, because the Movie-Shine series is practically a coin-flip (it's going to be the sickest series of the entire OSL, I feel). But even as a Calm fan, although he's proven he's no fluke, his ZvT isn't going to cut it as of now, so we are likely headed for a TvP or TvZ final. Now who wouldn't be happy with that? Non-mirror and non ZvZ. A Flash vs Movie has intrigue because... well it's Flash. People come for the big-name players. In addition, as one TLer put it, it would only strengthen Flash's run, because he would have win a Bo5 with his "worst" matchup. Also, Movie has a strong fanbase, and a royal roader winning the OSL, and going through Flash? That's history, right there. But what if Shine were to advance? People will still come for Flash. Also, Shine has an opportunity to make one of the greatest runs in OSL history, and to take down Flash at the absolute peak of his career. Whether or not we think Shine has a chance is irrelevant: all that matters is that I know you all will stay up late to watch the series even in the slight chance of Shine vs Calm, you can't be too miserable, because Calm beating Flash in a Bo5 legitimizes him sooo much that a ZvZ finals can't devalue his accomplishment, and would give him a second individual league title. As for Shine, should he win, he'll have beaten the two best protosses on earth, the next great hope of Aiur (Movie), and a former MSL champion (and no ZvZ slouch, either). But like I said: slight chance. And even if we end up with Flash absolutely crushing the competition, we'll remember it as one of the most dominant OSL runs ever.
As for the MSL, I know people are already happier this season that last. Even though there were some early big-name failures (as in every MSL), we are still primed for a great MSL. People are already drooling over the Best vs Flash series, as it is believed to be the best chance for someone to take down the unforgiving machine of destruction known as Flash. In addition, we have dark horse Kal vs teammate Hwasin, Jaedong vs the underrated Stats, and crazy-ass Kwanro vs Light. When I looked at the Ro8, I said, wow, just 2 zergs, but that includes the best zerg, and the most erratic zerg, so fans don't have to worry about being bored. Who knows what kind of epic matchups the semifinals could bring? Some fans are crossing their fingers and hoping for Jaedong and Flash to meet again, though they should also be hoping that Jaedong actually shows up this time.
I also figured that since terrans are doing better this season (including in the Proleague), and that protosses have finally been adapting to PvZ, general interest and spirit would be higher among fans. The proleague is already a gigantic hit thus far, even with the excess of mirrors.
So I truly hope that fans are happier with the leagues this season. There's a lot of good shit going on. Can Flash make history and win both starleagues? Will Shine cause TL to explode and cause suicide rates to increase? Will Kal finally get his title? You couldn't look away if you tried.
I'm trusting in the fact that Flash can win both starleagues. I have never been a big fan of Flash, but I definitely think this is the perfect time for him, when the other monsters aren't at the top of their game, while he's finding his peak.
On December 30 2009 02:17 MountainDewJunkie wrote: Also, Shine has an opportunity to make one of the greatest runs in OSL history, and to take down Flash at the absolute peak of his career.
Opportunity? yeah sure but the chance of him actually beating flash is nonexistant barring flash 14cc'ing every game like an asshole.
On December 30 2009 02:17 MountainDewJunkie wrote: Whether or not we think Shine has a chance is irrelevant: all that matters is that I know you all will stay up late to watch the series
No i will do the same thing i did the last OSL final aka shut off my brain for one week and pretend starcraft doesnt exist.
In all seriousness il proably watch the final to see the fucking rape flash will deliver becuase atm NOONE can touch him in a bo5(least of all a guy with 40% ish ZvT).
On December 30 2009 15:17 jalstar wrote: What we need is more mech. They should bring Odd-Eye into proleague IMO.
Odd Eye is a bitchin map. If there were more Mech friendly maps in the OSL, maybe Calm or Shine would have a better chance, because we've all seen that Flash's mech builds vs zerg is a weak point... Too bad his bio/biomech is so damn good.
Seriously. We need GGplay to come out of retirement.
The players are there to win, not to amuse us. This is something that many in the the community continually fail to recognize, especially when they cry about "stupid faggot nigger bullshit cheese" in the livestream thread and then get banned for it.
Who cares if Flash bunker rushed Jaedong? "oh my god, he wouldn't be able to beat jaedong in a bo5 so he had to rush what a cheesy noob"
On December 31 2009 14:51 ghostWriter wrote: The players are there to win, not to amuse us. This is something that many in the the community continually fail to recognize, especially when they cry about "stupid faggot nigger bullshit cheese" in the livestream thread and then get banned for it.
Who cares if Flash bunker rushed Jaedong? "oh my god, he wouldn't be able to beat jaedong in a bo5 so he had to rush what a cheesy noob"