EPT![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/TjErD.jpg)
… Sooooo I was at MLG providence this week-end and I did enjoy my first MLG experience. I wasn’t really following MLG all that much, I’ve never been a gold member, as I prefer to watch the GSL since I have time to watch most games as it gets played out game by game over a much longer period of time.
I was really excited when I heard that pretty much all Code S players along with a lot of Code A player would be participating in the open bracket. I was really psyched about having the opportunity to see all the cute, young Koreans participate in the competition. But I must say that the information that excited me the most was when I learned that Leenock would be competing in the tournament.
Now I know what most of you will think, that’s an easy thing to say now… right. I know Leenock actually did win MLG and it is probably the biggest upset in the short but full life of StarCraft 2.
The first time I saw Leenock I was charmed by what I tough looked like a younger and cuter version of July. He was among the youngest players of the GSL and always managed to impress me with his insight into the game, I felt like his downfall was his slower response time which often led him to lose a lot of unit in situations he could probably have avoided.
I remember the first time he fought Clide, how impressed I was with his use of the Brood Lords, which was almost non existent in the Korean scene at the time. It made for one of the most entertaining series I had watched and I ended up watching it several times for entertainment value.
I also remember him fending off cheese and actually eating cheese as a celebration ceremony.
I remember when my friends tough he would never get back up to code S, that he would disappear and go trough his military training.
I managed to meet Leenock on the first day of MLG Providence, before the finals took place. He was just standing there among other Korean player, no one was paying particular attention to him, my girlfriend then shouted LEENOCK and he quickly set his sight on us, his face lit up and he came to us jumping with excitement.
We asked for his autograph and the IM coach came by walked right in between Leenock and us, he then said “He baneling”, I’m not sure if this was intended to be a diss or if was all in good fun, but he definitely wasn’t treating the player like an MLG or GSL contender and more like a little boy.
We also proceeded to take pictures with him, which got him really excited. He was respectful and happy to let me live my fanboy fantasy. No one in the attence grouped up next to him to get a picture or an authograph like they would near MVP, MMA or even SC. I’m wondering if most of the people attending even knew who he was at that time.
Now he is known as one of the best Zerg player in the world as well as being one of the youngest pro player in the world. He managed to balance his playing style and master Zerg Micro. The way he engaged his enemies with confidence and unbelievable micro abilities while outmacroing the best players in the world is truly mesmerizing. I have not watched all the games he played at MLG Providence (I intend to watch them) but in the games I watched, he truly gives me the impression that he outplayed his opponent and deserved his wins. The young man has now blossomed into the best StarCraft 2 player in the world at the age of 16, I can only imagine how his play will evolve as the game matures and as he become a man.
I’m happy that he got to win a major championship and to finally get the exposure he deserves. I also feel like I lost my diamond in the rough since he is now everyone’s favorite player. I feel like my first born child is moving out of the house and becoming a man.
To conclude, I just want to wish Leenock good luck in his future in SC2 and in life.
LEENOCK FIGHTING!!!
tl;dr I have always love Leenock and knew he would become an amazing player, but I never expected it to come so quickly. I wanted to keep him to myself longer, but now the world knows.
