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Last month’s Power Rankings generated, well, <a href=http://www.teamliquid.net/powerrank/index.php?prid=1>extensive feedback</a>. As much as I would love to take CTStalker’s advice (“you should compile the flames and categorically mock them”), that is a task that is more suited to a full-length book than a mere news post. Rest assured, however, I read every comment in that thread and, true to my word, ignored most of them; they were really bad. There was, however, some truly terrific and thoughtful feedback, and I want those few posters who provided said feedback to know how much I appreciate it and how much it influenced this month’s ranking.
To begin, then, I have to preemptively answer the question that is about to flood the comments thread: “WHERES NADA OMG ??” Nada is off the list because he’s 3-6 since his OSL win, and those three wins have been against crappy opponents on imbalanced maps. He managed to “take down” Soo on Arkanoid, Pokju on Blitz, and Jy on Desert Fox. Then he lost to oov, Much (twice), Pokju, Daezang, and—get this—Mingu. And this is going to continue for at least a few months; it’s the OGN Curse, after all.
But that doesn’t matter, because there’s a new Terran to in town, and his name is Light[Alive]. He quietly waltzed into both Starleagues, not losing a single game in either the Survivor or Dual league, defeating Yellow[name], Shinwa, Mingu, GoRush, and Junwi in the process. He’s been MBC’s ace in the Proleague multiple times, consistently scoring big wins against strong opponents, and his Starleague performances so far have been solid. His only weak point, it would appear, is his TvT, and even it really isn’t that bad.
Midas has shown his usual dominant play—in the group stages, that is—against Savior and Light. Although the win over Savior was, in my most humble opinion a game that Savior would have won on practically any other map, it is still a win against Savior, and that’s hard to ignore. SKT1 has managed to piss me off, however, by disallowing their players from participating in more than one individual league, so I am demanding convincing performances from all SKT1 players in the coming weeks, given that they have two to three times the practice time of some of the busier players.
Much has been really, really strong lately, beating practically everyone in every situation. He’s been huge in the Proleague, and he’s doing well in both Starleagues. The only thing he hasn’t faced is a truly strong Zerg opponent. So while he’s untested in that realm, the guy is definitely on fire. He’s 16-5 since August.
I was really torn about putting Hwasin on the list, but with all his recent wins, he deserves it. The fact is that I just don’t think Hwasin is as good as the statistics imply. I’ve been flat-out amazed with how lucky he has gotten recently in terms of maps and matchups; he could scarcely pick better ones. But that said, his only hiccup as of late was his ace match loss against Silver in the Proleague. He’s in both Starleagues, and he’s currently 2-0 in both of them.
Up, despite the handicap of being on the worst professional team in Korea, is currently 2-0 in his OSL group. He's been moving nicely through the Survivor League, and he’s been eSTRO’s only semi-consistent Proleague win. His actual game play mechanics aren’t all that great, but he uses innovative strategies and generally intelligent play to make up for this potential shortcoming.
As for GGPlay, I have to respond to a few comments from last month with a question: what slump? A cheese loss against Pusan on Blitz, a ZvZ loss to Magma, and a bunker rush from ForGG is enough to call him slumping? The guy is still a beast across the board, and it’s going to take a lot more than the above games to convince me otherwise. I feel the same way about Savior: a few tough losses on tough maps to tough opponents just aren’t enough to discount everything else he brings—and has recently brought—to the table. Disclaimer aside, I do plan on keeping GGPlay under close observation. Although I don’t put too much stock in a loss here and there, the mini-run of them that he’s compiled as of late definitely has me raising an eyebrow.
Ra just won’t go away. Every week I root against him, and every week he defies me by winning. Be warned, Ra, I’m watching you. Anyway, he’s low on the list because there’s just not enough evidence to suggest that he belongs any higher. A couple MSL wins is nice and all—and the games were actually pretty compelling—but his Proleague and OGN results as of late have been non-existent. He’s only played four games since his MSL loss to Savior. Most of the players on this list have played at least twice as many games in that same span of time.
Casy is here not because there’s a large amount of compelling evidence to support his right to be here. Casy is here because he’s looking damn strong. He didn’t just beat Sea, Jaedong, GoodFriend, and Child: he dismantled them.
Pusan rounds out the list, and with good reason: he has come on strong as of late, going 6-3 against decent competition since November, and one of those losses was on Desert Fox. So I’m calling it 6-2.
That ends my really, really, really long essay regarding why these players are on this list. And if you think this was “overly long” or “too much,” remember: you asked for it.
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Close, but no cigar…
Jaedong - You got positively fucked in your ODT and MSL draws, but I really do think you have top-tier talent. I'm looking for reasons to put you into the PR.
Bisu - Pull yourself together, man.
Silver - The win over Hwasin was nice, and you're still in the MSL. But that's just not enough.
Chojja – If you think I hate Ra, you have no idea how much I hate you. Your play lately, however, has been half-decent. Keep it up, I guess.
Anytime – Win a PvP, just once, you schmuck.
Free - Your PvT is terrible.
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as long as ipx is #1 im happy with this
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I like your list...except bisu  this little boy is a monster
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Thanks for the update DJ. I liked reading your writeup.
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I like the list.
Except for GGplay, ok you might not give too much weight to his recent losses but he hasn't won anything lately either. He is one of Hanbit's ace trio but they are out of PL and besides his win vs Iris, I don't see what else he accomplished.
But I don't really see with who I would replace him. Free (was doing as well as Much and has good PL recent results but collapsed in the last games losing 1st game in MSL but not out yet and not qualifying for OSL even after a nice win vs July in 1st game), Bisu (still in MSL and nice PL performance) or Jaedong as n°10 ?
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The list is very good this time!
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List is good ! But I think instead of Casy you should pick Free 
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Aotearoa39261 Posts
DJetter
i knew you would pull through
this list is perfect <3
its a shame that puasn will get eliminated from the msl 
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We both share a hate for chojja ^^
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Your bias against Ra is o_O. How can anyone not like Ra? Dreams and flowers... Such lovely things.
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GrandInquisitor
New York City13113 Posts
On December 29 2006 07:12 Gokey wrote:
Your bias against Ra is o_O. How can anyone not like Ra? Dreams and flowers... Such lovely things.
hating on rA is like hating on Boxer - the only reason to not like them is when they break your heart T_T
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Nice
Just switch Hwasin with UpMagic and then i agree with your list.
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1. Savior - Anything else would be stupid. When you've dominated for as long as he has, one or two lost games aren't a big deal. He's in big danger of losing the #1 place next month though, one game away from elimination in MSL and 0-1 in OSL.
2. Midas - I didn't think his performance against Savior was as good as people make it out to be, but he's so incredibly skilled. If he didn't have a game 4 jinx, he could be #1 right now.
3. Light - I still think his TvZ is overrated, and a lot worse than his TvP, but he's an amazing player. I'm expecting him to drop a few places next month though.
4. Much - Much rocks. With Anytime not performing well lately, he's the scariest Protoss around right now. He's a rookie, but plays more like an experienced veteran.
5. Hwasin - Unfortunately I have to agree with this pick as well. He has been incredibly lucky, but it's hard to ignore all his results lately. Still very unhappy to see him here, I have an inner resistance against putting a Terran on this list that lost to Silver.
6. Up - An unusual pick, but I like it. Looking forward to seeing more games from him.
7. GGPlay - Thank you. All who disagree, die , you just can't appreciate the awesomeness that is GGPlay.
8. rA - Last month's #9 for rA was harsh, this month #8 is rather flattering, seeing how little games he played. Skill-wise I think he definitely deserves it though, does anyone know why KTF is refusing to let him play regularly in Proleague?
9. Casy - If I had to make one change, I'd switch Hwasin with Casy. Casy has been looking incredibly strong lately. If only he had a decent TvP...
10. Pusan - Die buffalo face, stop winning.
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Jamaica11586 Posts
GGplay should be higher~
I told you Much will rock this OSL like it ain't no thang.
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I wouldn't change Casy and Hwasin, Casy got destroyed by Savior, Hwasin won against him and was able to win a tvp (on desert fox, i admit :p)
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On December 29 2006 07:49 Orome wrote:
8. rA - Last month's #9 for rA was harsh, this month #8 is rather flattering, seeing how little games he played. Skill-wise I think he definitely deserves it though, does anyone know why KTF is refusing to let him play regularly in Proleague?
ra plays what he wants, when he wants.
cool rankings.. i've been waiting for this =) KUTGW
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Jamaica11586 Posts
On December 29 2006 08:24 ~chut~ wrote:
I wouldn't change Casy and Hwasin, Casy got destroyed by Savior, Hwasin won against him and was able to win a tvp (on desert fox, i admit :p)
Concepts of flukes or bgs never crossed your mind?
Casy won't lose a single TvZ on Longinus I promise.. this whole OSL, Casy isn't losing a TvZ on Longinus.
Hwasin is still mediocre in my eyes. Yes he had one wicked timing rush vs Savior.. so what?
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EPT
