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Song Byung Goo: The Little Protoss That Could

Forum Index > Final Edits
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ManaBlue
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
Canada10458 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-07-18 12:58:04
July 18 2007 09:59 GMT
#1
Song Byung Goo: The Little Protoss That Could
by ManaBlue
TeamLiquid: Final Edits


      During the days of the 3 Protoss Kings, it was foretold by the Emperor himself that Song Byung Goo would emerge as the powerhouse of his race. However, as time passed, he was overshadowed by his brethren. The juxtaposition of his disappointing performance in the group stages of the So1 OSL and the blazing trails of Anytime and Pusan to the semi-finals and beyond was disheartening. Anytime would go on to win the tournament in spectacular fashion while Pusan would later enjoy success leading MBC Hero to a ProLeague Championship as Captain. As a result, there was very little attention paid to the Birdtoss, until the most recent Progaming season began.

Song Byung Goo
      I could write about Stork’s incredible play throughout the past OSL, MSL, and ProLeague for days. He went virtually undefeated through the group stages of both tournaments as he faced some of the stiffest competition in the player pool. He progressed to the MSL finals and OSL quarters with relative ease, all the while maintaining a 15-4 Proleague record. He won the MSL wildcards, played back to back days week after week, and snagged 4 Ace match wins as he paved the way for his team’s #1 spot in the PL ranks. During the quarter finals of the two StarLeagues, Stork was in the position to achieve the “Triple Crown”, had he won all 3 major tournaments. (OSL/MSL/PL) The only other player to get close enough for fans to humour the possibility was Savior at the peak of his dominance, showing that Stork’s exceptional performance this season will go down in the books as one of the best 3 month runs for any player in the history of StarCraft. The day before his all important 3rd/4th place battle against Flash for a seed in the next OSL, he sat in Samsung’s regular ProLeague line up, playing a player of a different race, on a map that wasn’t in the pool for the Flash series, took care of business with a convincing win and after a quick meal and sleep, bounced back to the big stage to smack Flash around for a 3-0 victory... all in a day’s work for the most active Professional StarCraft player in the world.

      The series against Flash was interesting in that it got off to such a strange start. Stork’s early game play was horrendous, as he lost tons of probes to multiple vulture raids and got almost nothing for his reaver, it seemed that all was lost. But Flash played it safe instead of going immediately for the kill, which opened the door for one of the most spectacular comebacks I have ever witnessed in a professional game. Stork clawed his way back using perfectly timed Carriers and beautifully placed storms. Most players would have given the "gg" after losing their entire army to a blob of tanks, but Stork saw victory where others would dare not look. From there, Stork dismantled Flash in the following two games. Perhaps this is simply the proof of what Boxer saw in Stork all along. The same “never say die” attitude that rewarded Lim Yo Hwan with legendary comeback victories throughout his career seems to be present in heart of this young Protoss as well.

Stork's Boxer-like comeback in Game 1 against Flash.


+ Show Spoiler [All of Game 1] +


+ Show Spoiler [Games 2 and 3] +





      The only thing more dazzling than the list of players that Stork has pummeled in the past 3 months is the absolutely ludicrous schedule of games that he has maintained. This man has spent so much time on stage his skin is tanned by the spotlight. I have been completely captivated by Stork’s presence in Progaming this season and I know I’m not the only one.

      Stork plays so well and works so hard, that it would be foolish not to acknowledge him as a great player. However, that is only part of the reason I admire him so much. His style is undeniably strong and aggressive. From his goon heavy, perfectly timed tank wall breaks to his zealot heavy, in-your-face PvZ, Stork presses the action and reacts exceptionally to his opponents. Many Protoss players achieve success with cute builds, claiming to be “strategists”, but eventually fall apart when their luck runs out. Stork will throw odd proxy builds at you, but only as any other pro would, to keep the opposition guessing. Against anything but the absolute best competition, Stork’s decision making and timing is so superb it’s all that is necessary to win him game after game. He plays Protoss like a Terran player. Multitasking, maximizing unit effectiveness through timing and smooth micro, and macroing his face off to steam roll unsuspecting opponents with Oov-esque waves of units. He does it all, giving his style a notable depth that I can only describe as strength. It is this solid quality that shows in game after game, giving him the consistency to simultaneously stand as a dominating force in the three most competitive SC tournaments in the world.

[image loading]

A legend sits next to a legend in the making.

      However, Stork has not been infallible. For such a seasoned player, he showed a lack of maturity in the MSL finals against Bisu. He executed poorly at key times, lost advantages, and ultimately acknowledged his poor performance in a controversial post game interview. As a fan, I couldn’t help but be disappointed, but as I reflect on it now, it almost makes me more excited about his future. It was the first big tournament finals series that he had ever played in and he was facing the defending champion. As we all know, the stakes greatly affect the game, whether it be football, poker, or StarCraft. It’s clear that Stork found it difficult to compete under such conditions. His uncharacteristically sloppy play in what is statistically his best matchup was difficult to watch, but like the work horse he is, Stork didn’t let it slow him down. He hasn’t lost a game since that series and still shows his best each time he grabs a mouse.

      Stork is now seeded for the next OSL and MSL once again. His team is moving forward in the PL playoffs and will no doubt use him as a 1v1 crutch as they attempt to seize the title. We will continue to see Stork stand out as one of the best, if not the best, Protoss player in the land and his time for a title will come.

      The prophecy of the Terran Emperor will come true, and when it does, I’ll be sitting back and smiling ear to ear. We’ve seen flash in the pan players come out of nowhere to steal a title and inevitably fall victim to one “curse” or another, but not Stork. You’re going to see him coming. When he gets his status as a champion, and he will, it will be built upon a string of wins a mile long and a reputation as the hardest working Progamer in the sport today.
ModeratorTL VOD legends: Live2Win, hasuprotoss, Cadical, rinizim, Mani, thedeadhaji, Kennigit, SonuvBob, yakii, fw, pheer, CDRdude, pholon, Uraeus, zatic, baezzi. The contributors make this site what it is. *Props to FakeSteve for respecting the guitar gods*
HonestTea *
Profile Blog Joined December 2005
5007 Posts
July 18 2007 10:54 GMT
#2
I'll be HONEST. Love the little Stork... it's perfectly irreverant, kinda like Byung-Goo himself.
returns upon momentous occasions.
dementus
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
Singapore1151 Posts
July 18 2007 14:08 GMT
#3
there is indeed something very admirable about someone who chugs along despite the many obstacles and always gives his best. i respect him a lot for the way he bounced back into the msl through the wildcards, and the absolute rape he handed flash in the 3rd seed match days after losing the msl finals. stork is a real workhorse, and if he can bring his pvz to the next level, i'm sure he'll win an msl/osl soon.
"I couldn't stop myself from having unreal macro and sick timing senses."
Pressure
Profile Blog Joined October 2006
7326 Posts
July 18 2007 14:33 GMT
#4
yeah he shows so much promise
i just hope he wont end up like another midas in the future : [
HonestTea *
Profile Blog Joined December 2005
5007 Posts
July 18 2007 15:09 GMT
#5
The list of semi-finalists who bounced back is long.
Unfortunately, the list of those who crash and burn is longer.

Next season will be so important for the Birdman.

Great read
returns upon momentous occasions.
MoNKeYSpanKeR
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
United States2869 Posts
July 18 2007 16:14 GMT
#6
That was an amazing read, image if stork actually did get the triple crown, i would be astounded.
<3's Mani and Seraphim, thx for the second chance. TSL Name: TSL-mSLeGenD
Hot_Bid
Profile Blog Joined October 2003
Braavos36374 Posts
July 18 2007 22:24 GMT
#7
it seems harder and harder to get the double or even triple titles in a season, there's just not enough practice time

even if the stars align and you have overlapping maps and matchups for OSL/MSL/Proleague Finals the list of people who can do this each season is so small

at the beginning of the season the four that could legitimately accomplish this was Hwasin, Bisu, Savior, and Stork

then CJ lost in Proleague, Hwasin in both Starleagues, and Bisu in OSL

Stork was the last one standing in all leagues and it took a toll on him for sure
@Hot_Bid on Twitter - ESPORTS life since 2010 - http://i.imgur.com/U2psw.png
Klogon
Profile Blog Joined November 2002
MURICA15980 Posts
July 19 2007 00:19 GMT
#8
Stork hasn't been somebody I really looked to much at all... but after this article, you've drawn me a bit toward liking him. Hah.
Asakura
Profile Blog Joined May 2006
Germany471 Posts
July 19 2007 00:36 GMT
#9
I just <3 Stork!

Nice read!
Man is disturbed not by things, but by the views he takes of them. (Epictetus)
tOOkOmA4U
Profile Joined November 2006
Germany253 Posts
July 19 2007 00:59 GMT
#10
ive liked stork since his awesome win in the proleague finals a while ago vs gorush (cant remember when exactly it was, but the game is pretty famous, so most people will know i guess). after that it was kinda quiet about birdtoss for a while, im happy hes gotten back into shape and hope hes gonna go for a solo title next season
~Smoke Weed Every Day~
Carnac
Profile Blog Joined December 2003
Germany / USA16648 Posts
July 19 2007 03:45 GMT
#11
Yeah that game vs Gorush was simply incredible. He had every moment of the game planned out from start to finish and it worked perfectly. Certainly one of the top10 games I have ever seen. It the first game of the Sky Proleague 2005 Round 2 Finals by the way, SK Telecom T1 won 4-3. Was played in January 2006 (the post season of the 2005 round 2 was in January 2006).
Like 2 or 3 weeks before that he played an awesome game vs Savior on Requiem as well, during the playoffs.

He has had some really amazing games I love him


ModeratorHi! I'm a .signature *virus*! Copy me into your ~/.signature to help me spread!
Hot_Bid
Profile Blog Joined October 2003
Braavos36374 Posts
July 19 2007 10:17 GMT
#12
the second half of game one and all of game two of the Stork vs Flash series was probably the most entertained excited i've been watching a pvt in a long time

im just so happy he put that kid in his place

i was cheering against flash ever since he did that back to back bio rush that knocked Bisu out of Daum
@Hot_Bid on Twitter - ESPORTS life since 2010 - http://i.imgur.com/U2psw.png
Jathin
Profile Blog Joined February 2005
United States3505 Posts
July 19 2007 11:32 GMT
#13
--- Nuked ---
DeadVessel
Profile Blog Joined April 2006
United States6269 Posts
July 19 2007 15:03 GMT
#14
Loved the right up MB .
ManaBlue
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
Canada10458 Posts
Last Edited: 2007-07-20 10:27:35
July 20 2007 10:26 GMT
#15
On July 19 2007 20:32 Jathin wrote:
Stork's PvZ is pretty terrible btw (watch his last PvZ in the proleague, awful).

I think once he works on that he'll truly rise to consistency. Until then, his status is contingent on whether or not he gets paired up against a Zerg.


Do you mean the one he won, on Peaks against by.hero? I think that was his last PL PvZ.

What was wrong with it? I thought he played really great, unless you're talking about a different game.
ModeratorTL VOD legends: Live2Win, hasuprotoss, Cadical, rinizim, Mani, thedeadhaji, Kennigit, SonuvBob, yakii, fw, pheer, CDRdude, pholon, Uraeus, zatic, baezzi. The contributors make this site what it is. *Props to FakeSteve for respecting the guitar gods*
FirstBorn
Profile Blog Joined March 2007
Romania3955 Posts
July 21 2007 01:45 GMT
#16
Nice write-up. I sure hope Stork will start learning improve his pvz.
SonuvBob: Yes, the majority of TL is college-aged, and thus clearly stupid.
Wizard
Profile Blog Joined May 2007
Poland5055 Posts
July 21 2007 03:45 GMT
#17
Gogo stork. -_-
sAviOr[gm] ~ want to watch good replays? read my blog: http://www.teamliquid.net/blog/wizard
koryano321
Profile Joined June 2007
United States309 Posts
July 22 2007 02:04 GMT
#18
once he fixes that one matchup he will be consistent across the board allowing to face any stiff competition with confidence. i just hope to see some evidence of it sometime in the near future. (pvz that is)
Scorpio2012 wrote: i guess god is about as useful as a protoss scout
ManaBlue
Profile Blog Joined July 2004
Canada10458 Posts
July 22 2007 03:11 GMT
#19
It is true, his PvZ isn't top rate like a Bisu or Free. I think he's had some rough runs though. That OSL series against Chojja was tough to watch. Chojja played like such a homo on 815 I wanted to cry. And facing Savior in the MSL quarters isn't exactly the measuring stick for "good" pvz, more like "the best" pvz.

If he's ever going to pick it up consistently, we'll eventually see some nice results from him in PvZ. But as it stands, yeah, his record is poor with losing career stats (less than 50%), so you can't really argue with that.
ModeratorTL VOD legends: Live2Win, hasuprotoss, Cadical, rinizim, Mani, thedeadhaji, Kennigit, SonuvBob, yakii, fw, pheer, CDRdude, pholon, Uraeus, zatic, baezzi. The contributors make this site what it is. *Props to FakeSteve for respecting the guitar gods*
strongwind
Profile Joined July 2007
United States862 Posts
August 16 2007 08:20 GMT
#20
stork just feels like an unbelievably solid player. I'm really rooting for him to grab a championship sometime in the future. Cmon stork, you can do it!
Taek Bang Fighting!
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