We battled through Columbus and made history in Cologne. Together, we accomplished more than any North American team in CS:GO. Everyone has known for a while that the sun had to set some day, and finally, s1mple leaves Liquid effective immediately.
s1mple now joins Natus Vincere, a team some say he was always destined to join. We'd like to thank Na`Vi for a very cordial agreement, and we know that they'll look after Sasha and help bring out the best in him.
I'm aware that this isn't a huge surprise, but I felt strongly about writing something up and not finalizing s1mple's era on Liquid with a tweet—or worse, nothing at all.
Despite the difficulties that Sasha may have brought in-game, he still made history with Liquid alongside 4 other players and our coaches. We are the first North American lineup ever to reach a Major Final, and it was in no small part due to him. And for that, I will be forever grateful. It is an achievement that nobody can take away from us, and those responsible for it deserve to be properly thanked by the organization, and especially by me.
In order to show him our respect and to thank him for everything he has helped us achieve, I don't have to sit here and act like he was the perfect teammate. He knows that he still has some ways to go in that regard, and now Na`Vi and s1mple must travel that road together. I really believe that somewhere down that road, s1mple can become one of the best players to play this game. His aim is already up there, but anyone with a deep understanding of the game knows that aim alone will not allow you conquer the world. It's hard to judge from the outside how much value one is contributing to their team in terms of strategy, chemistry, and shot calling, but they are crucial to the success of every team.
Despite what you may have heard about Sasha, I've gotten to know him outside of the game and he is one of the sweetest human beings I've met. He cares a lot about others, and he's the kind of guy that brings home presents for the entire fam for no reason, like an AK-toting Ukranian Santa Claus. Even though he has his faults—as we all do—he has always admitted his mistakes when he has had time to think about it.
s1mple and I had many conversations especially when we initially brought him on board, but it wasn't until the bootcamp before Cologne that I really felt we got to know each other on a deeper level. We went through some internal issues in our preparation for the Major, and we had to spend time with each other speaking in an open manner about everything. Sasha made significant progress that he carried into the Major, where he was, for the most part, better as a teammate than ever before leading up until the final. In the end, I feel we are losing not just a star player but also a friend. He has grown as a person throughout the year and that makes me very hopeful for his future with Na`Vi
Much has been said about the relationship between Liquid and s1mple, and of course that relationship was under stress at times. Many difficult conversations have been had over the past seven months, and it was no easy road. However, I am more than willing to admit that we owe him (and our other players and coaches) for all the beautiful memories, and we are sad to see him go.
I will miss you and wish you all the best you amazing troll,
-v1ctor
I want to thank this great organization and team.
We had a lot of good and bad moments, happy and sad situations, but we did it, we reached the final, and I am grateful to everyone: all the players, the coaches, the managers, and the organization.
Special thanks to Hiko, Victor, Steve, and Mike. Without you I wouldn't have learned a lot, and even more would not gain this invaluable life experience.
Team Liquid has become my family and it's very sad that I couldn't live in America and stay with them.
For all the fans of Team Liquid, thank you. Thank you for all the support during the past 7 months with me, and thank you for every moment at MLG Columbus and ESL ONE Cologne. Thank you for cheering and thank you for everything.
Best regards,
-s1mple
We wish Sasha the best of luck with his new team, and we know he can become one of the best players in the world.
Liquid will come back fitter and stronger for our next tournament, and we're excited to see where this next chapter takes us.
The S1mple experience with TL was great! However, can he do the same with NaVi? I mean they are a very passive team and they are benching their IGL "zeus" for S1mple. We already know that Guardian will be the primary AWPer, but S1mple is going to be the secondary AWPer for sure. S1mple brings more fire power to the team, but maybe less coordination and more raging in the the team.
Seems like Na'vi will show who was right about Simple. Either the team will totally rip because S1mple is a toxic kid, or they will get to new heights.
On August 05 2016 07:00 Luolis wrote: Seems like Na'vi will show who was right about Simple. Either the team will totally rip because S1mple is a toxic kid, or they will get to new heights.
You do know S1mple has changed, and there's no real point to "who was right" or "who was wrong". It's another chapter in his history, and whatever happens, it will not "prove" anything. It's completely unpredictable, and can end up either way.
S1mple has already proven he can play in a team, that team being Liquid.
It sounds like you consider him like an immutable object that cannot change.
He already did change. Now, will he improve, will he got back to his past demons, will he stay that way? That's up in the air.
Off Topic: Can we stop Autoplay on TL right here and now? As in can the mods make it a ban-able offence? Or at least a heavy warning? Because it is really bad form to assume your readership wants to listen to your music without asking them first.
On Topic: Hope Simple is happier on Na'Vi And i hope Na'vi gets the boost it needs right now. Would love to see them back on the top. And we need a few more teams who can compete with SK and provide us with awesome games.
On August 05 2016 19:27 Turi wrote: Off Topic: Can we stop Autoplay on TL right here and now? As in can the mods make it a ban-able offence? Or at least a heavy warning? Because it is really bad form to assume your readership wants to listen to your music without asking them first.
This is a TL pro post, not some random forum user. :> (Although the criticism is valid).
On August 05 2016 07:00 Luolis wrote: Seems like Na'vi will show who was right about Simple. Either the team will totally rip because S1mple is a toxic kid, or they will get to new heights.
You do know S1mple has changed, and there's no real point to "who was right" or "who was wrong". It's another chapter in his history, and whatever happens, it will not "prove" anything. It's completely unpredictable, and can end up either way.
S1mple has already proven he can play in a team, that team being Liquid.
It sounds like you consider him like an immutable object that cannot change.
He already did change. Now, will he improve, will he got back to his past demons, will he stay that way? That's up in the air.
He didn't change a bit, why would you think that? His behaviour has been tolerated by liquid because he's as good of a player as he is, but he's still a raging kid. If Liquid had seen even the slightest positive developement in his personal behavior, do you actually think they would've let him go? If you read Peacemaker's Interview, he confirmed that he is still the same old s1mple. When you're winning, he's a nice kid, when you're losing, he rages. This is deeply rooted in his personality, it's probably not gonna change without months of psychological treatment and/or extreme changes in his personal/social life.
On August 05 2016 07:00 Luolis wrote: Seems like Na'vi will show who was right about Simple. Either the team will totally rip because S1mple is a toxic kid, or they will get to new heights.
You do know S1mple has changed, and there's no real point to "who was right" or "who was wrong". It's another chapter in his history, and whatever happens, it will not "prove" anything. It's completely unpredictable, and can end up either way.
S1mple has already proven he can play in a team, that team being Liquid.
It sounds like you consider him like an immutable object that cannot change.
He already did change. Now, will he improve, will he got back to his past demons, will he stay that way? That's up in the air.
He didn't change a bit, why would you think that? His behaviour has been tolerated by liquid because he's as good of a player as he is, but he's still a raging kid. If Liquid had seen even the slightest positive developement in his personal behavior, do you actually think they would've let him go? If you read Peacemaker's Interview, he confirmed that he is still the same old s1mple. When you're winning, he's a nice kid, when you're losing, he rages. This is deeply rooted in his personality, it's probably not gonna change without months of psychological treatment and/or extreme changes in his personal/social life.
I didn't say he doesn't rage or is easy to live with now. Actually the bootcamp allegedly had some heated moments. The thing is, remember the last time S1mple got kicked out of a team. He didn't go out saying he would play with them again, he didn't go out quietly. That he says he really liked to play in Liquid, that he respects the player in it, especially Hiko, etc. makes quite a difference with nearly every teammates he had in the past. And no, his behavior has not been completely tolerated in Liquid, as we saw Nazgul actually had to discuss with him a few times (and IIRC the first time he did was really early after they picked him up, because it was indeed an issue).
I'm absolutely not saying that his attitude is just perfect now. I'm just pointing out that he has changed, he's learned things, and overall his stay at Liquid has had some effect on him.
I completely disagree that he's the same as before. I don't expect his stay in Na'Vi to be nice and quiet, at least not at the beginning, but we could have a pleasant surprise. And no, Liquid couldn't keep S1mple with them. Even though I doubt every Liquid player really likes him, and it wasn't really smooth with him, it's also mostly S1mple's decision.
And uh, yes, I think I read that interview if that's the one I think of.
I think you may be partially right. He liked Liquid because they treated him with respect in spite of his tantrums, I think he probably realizes that how he acts is wrong and is apologetic afterwards, but that is only the very first small step. In my opinion the bootcamp interview shows that he's still far away from actual change. Of course it's entirely possible that Na'vi can handle him better than liquid could.
There's a good chance the egos will rapidly clash in Na'Vi, whereas it seems like TL tried to be more passive because they wanted to accommodate him so they usually progressed in this tense atmosphere with Elige and Nitr0 just taking the abuse.
What will happen when S1mple goes off at Flamie, Seized or Starix though?
On August 05 2016 07:00 Luolis wrote: Seems like Na'vi will show who was right about Simple. Either the team will totally rip because S1mple is a toxic kid, or they will get to new heights.
You do know S1mple has changed, and there's no real point to "who was right" or "who was wrong". It's another chapter in his history, and whatever happens, it will not "prove" anything. It's completely unpredictable, and can end up either way.
S1mple has already proven he can play in a team, that team being Liquid.
It sounds like you consider him like an immutable object that cannot change.
He already did change. Now, will he improve, will he got back to his past demons, will he stay that way? That's up in the air.
Don't get fooled, S1mple is still toxic as fuck. Didn't you read the JDM text about them not being able to prac at bootcamp because he was so toxic? He's skilled, but as a teammate he's pretty shit
On August 05 2016 07:00 Luolis wrote: Seems like Na'vi will show who was right about Simple. Either the team will totally rip because S1mple is a toxic kid, or they will get to new heights.
You do know S1mple has changed, and there's no real point to "who was right" or "who was wrong". It's another chapter in his history, and whatever happens, it will not "prove" anything. It's completely unpredictable, and can end up either way.
S1mple has already proven he can play in a team, that team being Liquid.
It sounds like you consider him like an immutable object that cannot change.
He already did change. Now, will he improve, will he got back to his past demons, will he stay that way? That's up in the air.
Don't get fooled, S1mple is still toxic as fuck. Didn't you read the JDM text about them not being able to prac at bootcamp because he was so toxic? He's skilled, but as a teammate he's pretty shit
I'm not getting "fooled". Have you actually read what I said, especially in my last post? (Would be my answer to you anyway).
Are you sure you're also not actually fooled by your S1mple hate? (which I don't judge, but be careful that you don't go overboard as well).
On August 05 2016 07:00 Luolis wrote: Seems like Na'vi will show who was right about Simple. Either the team will totally rip because S1mple is a toxic kid, or they will get to new heights.
You do know S1mple has changed, and there's no real point to "who was right" or "who was wrong". It's another chapter in his history, and whatever happens, it will not "prove" anything. It's completely unpredictable, and can end up either way.
S1mple has already proven he can play in a team, that team being Liquid.
It sounds like you consider him like an immutable object that cannot change.
He already did change. Now, will he improve, will he got back to his past demons, will he stay that way? That's up in the air.
Don't get fooled, S1mple is still toxic as fuck. Didn't you read the JDM text about them not being able to prac at bootcamp because he was so toxic? He's skilled, but as a teammate he's pretty shit
I'm not getting "fooled". Have you actually read what I said, especially in my last post? (Would be my answer to you anyway).
Are you sure you're also not actually fooled by your S1mple hate? (which I don't judge, but be careful that you don't go overboard as well).
No i mean that i think that its wrong to say that simple "changed". Hes stiĺl the same judging from tl
On August 05 2016 19:27 Turi wrote: Off Topic: Can we stop Autoplay on TL right here and now? As in can the mods make it a ban-able offence? Or at least a heavy warning? Because it is really bad form to assume your readership wants to listen to your music without asking them first.
This is a TL pro post, not some random forum user. :> (Although the criticism is valid).
I know, but i have the hope that the Mods/Pros are honoring there own rules. So if they make it against the forum rules to have Autoplay in a post, that would also stop Mods from using it. I do not want to imply that the writer of this post should be banned. :D
On August 05 2016 07:00 Luolis wrote: Seems like Na'vi will show who was right about Simple. Either the team will totally rip because S1mple is a toxic kid, or they will get to new heights.
You do know S1mple has changed, and there's no real point to "who was right" or "who was wrong". It's another chapter in his history, and whatever happens, it will not "prove" anything. It's completely unpredictable, and can end up either way.
S1mple has already proven he can play in a team, that team being Liquid.
It sounds like you consider him like an immutable object that cannot change.
He already did change. Now, will he improve, will he got back to his past demons, will he stay that way? That's up in the air.
I find it hilarious that after carrying a lineup twice to well beyond their normal ability at 2 consecutive majors people still feel like the "jury is still out" on Simple.
This whole dora the explorer style super friends gaming thing is supremely over rated depending on the circumstances, always has been. It matters but it is not a critical component.
Well, it's clearly not about his abilities and skills, it's about how he will fit in terms of personality and temper in Na'Vi.
I don't think people really over rate the friendship thing, it feels more like there's quite a focus on what people like to call "toxicity" as something that really hinders the teamplay.
EPT
