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TL.net131 Posts
One of my few hobbies in StarCraft 2 is to follow the results of my favorite players. When I mean follow, I really mean it. Watching Naniwa grow over the past 6 months has been nothing but joy for a hard core Naniwa fan like myself. Not only has he completely reinvented himself, but he is more dominant than ever. My love affair with Naniwa started when I was desperately trying to work out how to "beat those OP Marauders" in the first months of Starcraft 2's release. Initially I avoided watching Naniwa's games because I assumed he was just another 4gating Protoss - how much could you really learn from that? But after watching him in the finals of various tournaments I noticed that Naniwa wasn't 4gating at all - he was revolutionizing every facet of Protoss gameplay. "Nanistein" by WhiteraCares Artosis correctly pointed out when guest casting the TSL that Naniwa is an innovator. When you watch his builds you actually feel like you are learning things about the Protoss race. I was baffled and disappointed at the community for having him pegged as a simple cheesing Protoss when that clearly wasn't the case. With that said, he did have one of the sickest 4gates on the EU server! But I think the most inspiring thing about Naniwa is how he has taken the huge amount of negativity in his life and turned things completely around. In various interviews we've discovered that Nani hasn't always had it easy and I'm sure you're all well aware of the severe community backlash that Nani felt during the EPS scandal. Despite all of this he sat down, focused, and practiced his ass off. In the months following his disqualification he... - Using the account boyardee he was the first to reach 3000 points on NA - Using the account MeatyOwlLegs he was the first to reach 4000 points worldwide - Became a player who can exploit any weaknesses of his opponent He really has grown into an exceptional player. So when Naniwa was the second person to qualify for the TSL I was not in the least bit shocked. In the months following it has been an absolute pleasure to watch him tear through opponent after opponent. Indeed, his PvT is one of the most beautiful thing in SC2 which supplements his 92% winrate in PvT nicely. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFzgPJCXz8E Now a man of modesty, Naniwa has grown into a truly Professional gamer and I can think of no words to better describe himself than those said in his latest TSL interview:  "I felt a bit down after I won MLG Dallas, but after a while I got tired of the MLG trophy to be honest, I like it and its a important part of my life but to be honest I really want to become the first bonjwa after some consideration. I want to show the world what I'm made off and prove to myself that I'm the best around. Regarding complacency, I will always do my best to reassure my spot at the top, I will never take it for granted. I only feel more and more hungry after each big win, and I hope to surpass MC soon in winnings." --Plexa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qriWclC7iQc
Poll: What score will Naniwa win with?4-2 (240) 44% 4-1 (116) 21% 4-3 (105) 19% 4-0 (84) 15% 545 total votes Your vote: What score will Naniwa win with? (Vote): 4-0
(Vote): 4-1
(Vote): 4-2
(Vote): 4-3
Links:
The Naniwa Fan Club!
Naniwa and Thorzain arrive in NYC
Naniwa on TLPD
Naniwa on Liquipedia
The Chronicles of Naniwa by Waxangel
TSL Qualifier #2 Recap
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i appreciate this thread but i dont know if its ok to steal MC's Gladiator meme.
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On May 13 2011 00:05 MetalSlug wrote:
i appreciate this thread but i dont know if its ok to steal MC's Gladiator meme.
It's Ok
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35 BoX win streak is sick. Not to take anything away from Sase(he played great), but the series he lost was PvP from US to EU and right after patch. Just saying 
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Really impressive win streak ! GL
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Even before the MLG that he won, I considered him the european MC. Their playstyles are actually quite similar, always being control of the game and being much more aggressive than an average player.
The only thing I'm worried for: Thorzain did beat MC. It's time for Naniwa to show that he can do what MC couldn't, I'm betting on 4:2 for Naniwa.
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On May 13 2011 00:07 short wrote:Show nested quote +On May 13 2011 00:05 MetalSlug wrote:
i appreciate this thread but i dont know if its ok to steal MC's Gladiator meme.
It's Ok
I lol'd
ON TOPIC: I'm so happy for Naniwa! I hope he wins it all! googogog
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I have a similiar story with naniwa started to check his replays whilst trying to learn and discovering he wasnt just the cheesey protoss everyone had him pegged as.
His recent loss to sase is a shame as it was under different conditions he wasnt familiar with (not to take away from sase who is a great player in his own right) but a 35 BoX streak is ridiculous and with such a PvT record i cant see thorzain winning even though he too is a beast taking out MC in europe vs europe latency.
Naniwa fighting!
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I actually just made a post in his fanclub about him having so few followers, even though he's had such major success.
I guess he does have a few hardcore fans afterall 
Much appreciated ♥
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I hope a "It's Ok" meme start on TL, i would love to see that
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I have a big feeling that the patch will affect the gameplay, but I think Naniwa's got the game in him.
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Too bad he lost to Sase :/ But I have a feeling that no one is going to beat that record for a long, long time if ever.
Well, time to get the BoX-in-a-row counter started again.
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I never really watched his replays or cared much when he played until MLG, to be honest. I guess he always had a reputation as a cheeser and a BM player but he has improved tremendously and am looking forward to his future accomplishments, me they in the west or in Korea
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Such a nice thread. Great info.
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Wasn't aware of the EPS and attitude incident much, did some research and looks like he has completely turned it around. From 6 months back, people had no faith that he was a competent protoss and now he's one considered one of the best in the world.
I think he can pull through either 4-2 or 4-3
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On May 13 2011 00:07 short wrote:Show nested quote +On May 13 2011 00:05 MetalSlug wrote:
i appreciate this thread but i dont know if its ok to steal MC's Gladiator meme.
It's Ok
Hahaha that's what I thought
On May 13 2011 00:24 Alejandrisha wrote:
I never really watched his replays or cared much when he played until MLG, to be honest. I guess he always had a reputation as a cheeser and a BM player but he has improved tremendously and am looking forward to his future accomplishments, me they in the west or in Korea
Feel the same way. I think Nani can be proud of how he turned all the negativity around with hard work and determination. It's great that he's been able to repair his reputation without seeming castrated, because he is is obviously not by any means
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On May 13 2011 00:07 short wrote:Show nested quote +On May 13 2011 00:05 MetalSlug wrote:
i appreciate this thread but i dont know if its ok to steal MC's Gladiator meme.
It's Ok
10 more posts like this and you'll get a content star. 
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Naniwa is the best protoss and maybe even the best player outside of Korea and I think he will take this but it will be close, 4-3 .
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Hasn't lost since Mars?? oh wow 
good writeup and i love naniwa <3
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That list of Best of X wins in a row just makes it so obvious that this guy is the best in the world atm, cant wait to see if Thorzains preparation is gonna be enough for him as it was for MC.
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the question is what build he will use
if he 4 gates he will win if he doesnt he loses
just sayin nani 4 gate is the only thing you can do to win vs good players
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On May 13 2011 01:07 sVnteen wrote:
the question is what build he will use
if he 4 gates he will win if he doesnt he loses
just sayin nani 4 gate is the only thing you can do to win vs good players
Have you been watching any of his recent games for example him in nasl? stop living a good 8 months in the past.
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On May 13 2011 01:13 nekuodah wrote:Show nested quote +On May 13 2011 01:07 sVnteen wrote:
the question is what build he will use
if he 4 gates he will win if he doesnt he loses
just sayin nani 4 gate is the only thing you can do to win vs good players Have you been watching any of his recent games for example him in nasl? stop living a good 8 months in the past.
He's German, he's obviously upset on him for beating HasuObs.
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On May 13 2011 01:07 sVnteen wrote:
the question is what build he will use
if he 4 gates he will win if he doesnt he loses
just sayin nani 4 gate is the only thing you can do to win vs good players
Hasu fans are still a bit hurt I guess. Its a strategy game, get over it. Hasu is still a great player.
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I think we're in for a great series.
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On May 13 2011 00:12 HoMM wrote:
Even before the MLG that he won, I considered him the european MC. Their playstyles are actually quite similar, always being control of the game and being much more aggressive than an average player.
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I don't think I agree with this statement.
I think naniwa is the safest player (except vs goody lol) while MC plays a risky timing based style, which is why he got knocked out by polt and marineking.
Naniwa has amazing consistency because of how calculated and safe his playstyle is
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On May 13 2011 01:07 sVnteen wrote:
the question is what build he will use
if he 4 gates he will win if he doesnt he loses
just sayin nani 4 gate is the only thing you can do to win vs good players
LOL u butthurt too much because Nani moped the floor with ur german superstars ?
Nani only 4gates in PvP but than again so does every other protoss, if u watched his games against select in mlg where he goes nexus first its beautiful, no one else has balls to go for nexus first.
Other than that 4gate is a build just like infestor/brood or heavy mech or anything else, ppl need to realize that win is what counts
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I'm not convinced that he is gonna win, but I do know, that we have a great match ahead.
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Wait? Did anyone notice THAT PLEXA'S BACK???
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haha I loved the it's okay win reply :D
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On May 13 2011 02:12 ImmortalTofu wrote:
Wait? Did anyone notice THAT PLEXA'S BACK???
Yea i was wondering why no one else noticed that he wrote the article
Great read plexa, looking forward to this finals!!!!
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Naniwa fighting!! And yeah, when i first saw him i thought that he was just another 4gating protoss looks like he is a little better than that
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On May 13 2011 02:23 Darkbane wrote:Show nested quote +On May 13 2011 02:12 ImmortalTofu wrote:
Wait? Did anyone notice THAT PLEXA'S BACK??? Yea i was wondering why no one else noticed that he wrote the article Great read plexa, looking forward to this finals!!!!
He never really stopped posting.
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Been a huge fan of Naniwa for a while, so great to see him get some very deserved wins. Anyone claiming he just wins with 4-gate clearly haven't seen him play recently....
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On May 13 2011 00:07 short wrote:Show nested quote +On May 13 2011 00:05 MetalSlug wrote:
i appreciate this thread but i dont know if its ok to steal MC's Gladiator meme.
It's Ok
damn i only find posts as good as this once every 4 months or something
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Nice article.
Ever since Beta I have been a huge fan of Naniwa, and since I'm addicted by replays I have probably been more influenced by his game style then I know.
I'm so looking forward to see more of him in the future, now he just need to beat ThorZain and I'm so psyched about it that words cannot even describe.
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most of all I hope for a full series of great games
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Naniwa kind of reminds me of Arsenal's 40 games undeated or something....
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Naniwa is so badass that he has a BM clause in his contract !
Want him to win so much because of this vid
+ Show Spoiler +
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On May 13 2011 00:05 MetalSlug wrote:
i appreciate this thread but i dont know if its ok to steal MC's Gladiator meme.
The gladiator meme has been used for years in a multitude of contexts -- it is and never was anything reserved specifically for MC.
On topic: I really like Naniwa and I hope he can pull out a win from this!
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this seems like a fan club. But it's baller
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GoGo NaNiwa! future winner of TSL3 and future GSL champion 
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United Kingdom31255 Posts
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Out of curiosity, who gave Nani his last Box lost?
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On May 13 2011 05:25 FindMeInKenya wrote:
Out of curiosity, who gave Nani his last Box lost?
Sase in road to korea. Before that it was ToD in SK Gaming EU Champions Trophy.
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Wow...didnt realize was as baller as he is O_O
Should be sick finals :D
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Only a beastly fellow swedish toss could end Naniwas winning streak. Sweden fitghting!
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He has been incredibly impressive the past few months, I hope he can continue his success with a victory in the TSL finals!
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35 series in a row. Not too shabby.
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Nani going to dominate all over it!!!!
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As a left-hander I must tender my support for we the under-represented in the gaming community.
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You seriously think Thorzain doesn't have a chance? Please, thorzain ripped apart Tyler, and MC. If anyone has a shot of taking down Naniwa, it's going to be thorzain.
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gl naniwa, take down thorzain ezpz please.
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United States33367 Posts
no middle-ground copouts from me, I'm rooting for naniwa :o
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Man I can't believe that Naniwa had 35 BoX win streak for so long O.O I'm sure he'll win the Road to Korea, then be awesome in GSL and then go on and have a 135-2 record at MLG :D
I think he can win this 4-2 or 4-3!!
Naniwa FIGHTING!!!
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After Tyler dropped out, this was probably my ideal finals. TSL DELIVERS
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On May 13 2011 06:13 wei2coolman wrote:
You seriously think Thorzain doesn't have a chance? Please, thorzain ripped apart Tyler, and MC. If anyone has a shot of taking down Naniwa, it's going to be thorzain.
I don't think Thorzain has an inch of a chance. He's underperformed at all previous LANs, and once it comes to an online tournament he rips people apart, but still in the post game interviews says he has nerve issues.
I'm betting he's gonna choke at the finals because of all the preassure mounting up. It's easier on you if you're the underdog, but now he has far more people rooting for him than for Naniwa, which makes it far more complicated.
Naniwa will win this.
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Gogo naniwa. 4-0 this silly god.
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Nani is a total baller. He'll take the TSL finals and hopefully start take on some Koreans soon.
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On May 13 2011 06:13 wei2coolman wrote:
You seriously think Thorzain doesn't have a chance? Please, thorzain ripped apart Tyler, and MC. If anyone has a shot of taking down Naniwa, it's going to be thorzain.
He didnt "rip apart" MC, but i agree he has a chance. However he is the underdog once again.
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if their checkers game is anything to go by, i think thorzains got this np!
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JP: "How do you feel getting to the finals of your first MLG without ever dropping a game?
Naniwa:
+ Show Spoiler +"Its: ![[image loading]](http://i.imgur.com/0v4Qrl.jpg) "
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Australia8532 Posts
Go go go Naniwa! TSL3 Champion! I am hoping for some good games that end in a Naniwa roflstomping
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ThorZaIN's having a cinderella story in the TSL. He's good, but NaNi is goddamn untouchable right now. NaNiwa fighting!
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One minute everyone hates him the next he's a babe magnet.
I guess It's Ok
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Holy shit a 35 BoX winning streak? Crazzzzzyyy. Inspiring play for sure
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On May 13 2011 06:29 Waxangel wrote:
no middle-ground copouts from me, I'm rooting for naniwa :o
I'm rooting for Thorzain but man, I loved your blog about Naniwa :D
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I have to say, "Cheering" for someone playing this game is like the dumbest thing ever I read the first couple sentences of this thread and almost threw up. Get a life! Like, go out once a month, even, and you'll not be reduced to "hoping some starcraft player wins a game". That's retarded...
User was banned for this post.
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On May 13 2011 04:52 Wdqgdf wrote:Show nested quote +On May 13 2011 00:05 MetalSlug wrote:
i appreciate this thread but i dont know if its ok to steal MC's Gladiator meme.
The gladiator meme has been used for years in a multitude of contexts -- it is and never was anything reserved specifically for MC. On topic: I really like Naniwa and I hope he can pull out a win from this!
It's Ok.
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he won 35 bo3s in a row? oh my.
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Aotearoa39261 Posts
On May 13 2011 06:29 Waxangel wrote:
no middle-ground copouts from me, I'm rooting for naniwa :o
I've been calling Naniwa as the winner of TSL over Kas in the final since day one. Except Kas didn't quite get there heh. Naniwa to take this 4-2 in convincing style.
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On May 13 2011 16:50 SaiyAN wrote:
I have to say, "Cheering" for someone playing this game is like the dumbest thing ever
Na, it's okay.
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And his actual losses are vs other protoss, not exactly the match-up that's most embarrassing to lose in, since it has a reputation for being a bit random.
I'm sold on Naniwa as the new western e-sports superstar, he's so funny in a sort of awkward way. :p
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On May 13 2011 20:19 L3g3nd_ wrote:
he won 35 bo3s in a row? oh my.
BoX, meaning anything higher than Bo1 (basically Bo3, Bo5 and Bo7 - pretty sure there were no Bo9's in there)
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On May 13 2011 00:07 short wrote:Show nested quote +On May 13 2011 00:05 MetalSlug wrote:
i appreciate this thread but i dont know if its ok to steal MC's Gladiator meme.
It's Ok
actually most epic post I read on TL :D
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its kinda unfair that a mod posts a Naniwa Hype thread but no ThorZain hype thread...
but on the other hand....
It's Ok
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On May 14 2011 00:19 MetalSlug wrote:
its kinda unfair that a mod posts a Naniwa Hype thread but no ThorZain hype thread...
but on the other hand....
It's Ok
There is one....http://www.teamliquid.net/forum/viewmessage.php?topic_id=222217
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On May 13 2011 01:53 SuperStyle wrote:Show nested quote +On May 13 2011 01:07 sVnteen wrote:
the question is what build he will use
if he 4 gates he will win if he doesnt he loses
just sayin nani 4 gate is the only thing you can do to win vs good players LOL u butthurt too much because Nani moped the floor with ur german superstars ? Nani only 4gates in PvP but than again so does every other protoss, if u watched his games against select in mlg where he goes nexus first its beautiful, no one else has balls to go for nexus first. Other than that 4gate is a build just like infestor/brood or heavy mech or anything else, ppl need to realize that win is what counts
no clue why you have to insult like this. Naniwa is known for his 4 gate play...
and our german superstar is Mondragon.
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On May 13 2011 00:24 Alejandrisha wrote:
I never really watched his replays or cared much when he played until MLG, to be honest. I guess he always had a reputation as a cheeser and a BM player but he has improved tremendously and am looking forward to his future accomplishments, me they in the west or in Korea
Ya I also agree with this. I wasn't a fan of his before, but recently seeing him in the dignitas MLG video, his Thorzain vs Naniwa in other games video and NASL interviews, he generally seems like a better guy... I am a fan now. I by no means think he has to be super nice all the time, but he definitely seems like a player I can respect now. In fact, a little bit of BM can make things interesting.
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excellent photoshopped pictures...
that youtube game against goody is so lolz...
goody made the mistake of pulling 5 scvs to nullify naniwa's 2 proxy gateways XD (and he didn't even do it right! he attacked the gateways with scvs instead of going after the pylon.... major major mistake... that's a ton of minerals lost right there) he should have just bunkered up near his minerals and at the entrance.... XD using the supply depots and barracks to reduce surface area of his bunkers...
naniwa made the mistake of forgetting to cancel the gateway....
goody made another mistake of bunker rushing without follow through -wasting more harvesting time)
goody really made too many mistakes (that banshee being used for defense instead of harrass is just the icing on the cake)
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uhm what is this "it's ok" thingy all about? where does it come from? am i stupid?
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On May 14 2011 04:50 canavarr wrote:
uhm what is this "it's ok" thingy all about? where does it come from? am i stupid?
At MLG Dallas he was asked how he feels about advancing in the finals (or winning the finals?) and he only said "It's ok."
I think it's ok if he wins.
lol actually i cheer for naniwa, but i don't know something better than "it's ok" for him.
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On May 13 2011 00:07 short wrote:Show nested quote +On May 13 2011 00:05 MetalSlug wrote:
i appreciate this thread but i dont know if its ok to steal MC's Gladiator meme.
It's Ok
WIN WIN :D
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On May 13 2011 20:36 Plexa wrote:Show nested quote +On May 13 2011 06:29 Waxangel wrote:
no middle-ground copouts from me, I'm rooting for naniwa :o I've been calling Naniwa as the winner of TSL over Kas in the final since day one. Except Kas didn't quite get there heh. Naniwa to take this 4-2 in convincing style.
I said naniwa over MC 
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Thorzain has been beasting it up all TSL3, can't wait to see Naniwa beat him! Gonna be some great games!
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Actually Naniwa won 36 BoX in a row, he won another Bo3 vs Lalush before he lost against SaSe in the same tournament.
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NaNiWa HWAITING!
ThorZain's great and all that, hell he kicked some of the best players' asses, but judging from Naniwa's performance the last few months, he's in waaay over his head. I do, however, expect to see some of the best PvTs we've seen all year. Hyperhyped!
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Looks like it will be a really interesting game been watching there VoD's all night waiting for the Finals to start i agree Nani will take it away 4-2 in glorious style.
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Anyone else having these constant small lags on the LQ stream? (actually they are betting bigger every moment) It's kinda annoying :-( Stream is unwatchable for me because of that. Want to see this so bad.
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On May 16 2011 03:38 blDraX wrote:
Anyone else having these constant small lags on the LQ stream? (actually they are betting bigger every moment) It's kinda annoying :-( Stream is unwatchable for me because of that. Want to see this so bad.
Try re-stream at http://www.teamliquid.net/video/streams/aaMikeD
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It's ok
If you don't know the outcome of the finals, dont open the spoiler =D...
+ Show Spoiler +
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+ Show Spoiler +So so close :-( Those ghosts are so darn powerful
Naniwa is on a mini losing streak now with road to korea and NASL... Sure it won't last too long though
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EPT![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Hot_Bid/TSL3/TSL3_Logo_Banner_1.png){kind=logo}
TSL3![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/tsl3_finals/nanicheer1.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/tsl3_finals/nanicheer2.jpg)
![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/tsl3_finals/nanicheer3.png)
Ret - TSL3
GoOdy - Black Dragon League
Tyler - MLG Dallas pool play![[image loading]](/staff/Plexa/tsl3_finals/nanicheer4.png)
![[image loading]](http://i53.tinypic.com/30tkxvd.jpg)
