| Rank |
Player |
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Description |
| 1. |
Jaedong
(Z) (stats) |
+1 |
1 |
Prepare the anti-fanboy shields because we might hit 1k posts again. I've always said I'll give credit where it's due, and Jaedong deserves his credit this month. The separation between Jaedong and Flash is razor thin at the moment - with so little games played it's really difficult to assess their skills. On the whole, Jaedong played a better month, and a better June.
Just like I said with Flash, you can tell a lot about a player by how he loses. Jaedong's losses this month were not bad losses at all - his loss to Bisu is one of the greatest PvZ's all year, his loss to Kal was in a 2-1 series and he played amazing throughout the whole thing, his loss to Sea was incredibly close and after how Jaedong toyed with Sea in their last encounter I'm not going to read too much into it. The fact is, Jaedong's losses still exhibit the traits of the Tyrant - Falsh's losses this month (i.e. to Light) did not resemble anything of an Ultimate Weapon.
The last test for #1 PR in my opinion is who is the scariest player in the world at the moment. With the dual finals quickly fading in our minds, and Jaedong ravaging every opponent (and still a favorite to make it out of his OSL group) I can resoundingly say that I am more scared of Jaedong than Flash at the moment.
This isn't a backdown, this isn't a "oh no Plexa was wrong in June!", this is me being consistent and giving Jaedong credit for back to back months of outstanding play. |
| 2. |
Flash
(T) (stats) |
-1 |
1 |
One of the key reasons why Flash got dropped this month is because he's been solved. We saw a string of TvT losses in June which was very uncharacteristic of Flash. While Flash was still playing well, it appeared as though other Terrans knew how to beat Flash. But we still held out faith that Flash's TvZ and TvT were untouchable. Sadly, Flash's TvZ let him down.
I say that in light of the recent game against Zero which is being hailed as the defining reason why Flash should be number one. True, it was an impressive game and Flash's mechanics were top notch. It was a superb game in every way. But then I think to myself, what if Effort were playing in this position and not Zero? Well the answer is, and was, that Effort would win (see their clash on Fighting Spirit). Effort has Flashes number and knows how to defeat his late-game turtle style, and given Jaedongs history no doubt he will have taken note and incorporated that into his repertoire. That makes Flash not the scariest player in the world, and not #1 on the PR.
Call it controversial, but in a month where Flash played 7 games and Jaedong was playing twice as many and playing absolutely impressively for 2 months - Flash really had to demonstrate that he was untouchable. He couldn't. And so, Flash loses #1 for the first time in I don't know.
What do I expect to happen from here? I expect Flash to make the finals of both leagues, again. He's still the undisputed best Terran player on Earth, and we all know he's capable of destroying anyone. Similarly, I expect Jaedong to make the finals of both leagues as well - assuming brackets don't pair them earlier (talking about the OSL here). And hopefully, by the end of September, we'll be able to definitively answer the question - who is the greater player? |
| 3. |
Fantasy
(T) (stats) |
0 |
1 |
Deciding between Fantasy and Effort was difficult, but at the same time fairly straight forward. Both are incredibly skilled at the moment and both are key members in their respective teams. Both are still alive in both leagues, both 0-1 down in the OSL but still favorites to take their groups. But the key separator was the deciding ace match between the two.
It was the ultimate test for them - if fantasy lost SKT would be going home, if Effort won he would send CJ to the next round, you couldn't ask for a better way to separate two good players. Fantasy was able to triumph when it mattered most, and thus he defends his #3 position. |
| 4. |
Effort
(Z) (stats) |
0 |
1 |
Effort is a ridiculously scary opponent at the moment. As alluded to above, Effort knows how to beat Flash - he has solved his late game strategy meaning Flash needs to change it up to remain competitive against Jaedong/Effort. But further, he went 8-3 this month and was critical in CJ's playoffs hopes.
If Effort had won that ace match against Fantasy, then he would be sitting at #3 right now. But obviously, he didn't and the game was admittedly really bad. But when the stakes are the highest, you've gotta give it your best. If you can't do that, you don't deserve to be #3. |
| 5. |
Sea[Shield]
(T) (stats) |
+3 |
1 |
Sea had a monster month and FINALLY looks to break his Ro16 curse. So let's run through what he did this month: beat the scariest player in the world on a imbalanced map? Check. Beat the second coming of the beesuit? Check. Be the carry horse for his proleague team? Check... well mostly.
Actually, the last point is why I didn't even consider him for a higher position. When the cards were down, and MBC were one game away from making the next round - Sea crumbled against Pure (and then Light did the same following night). Nevertheless, despite not being able to pull through when it matter most - he just tore apart some of the best names in BW and looks to be a hot favorite to reach the semifinals of either league for the first time.
Thats more than worthy of #5 if you asked me. |
| 6. |
Bisu
(P) (stats) |
+4 |
1 |
Bisu has always been unusual when it comes to his strengths. When all other Protoss are amazing at PvT, Bisu excels at PvZ and crumbles against Terran. As PoP has pointed out time and time and time again in various Live Report threads, Bisu's PvT is just so uninspired. It's the same old 3 base arbiter try to beat the Terran with mass units garbage. There's no flare, no inspiration, no spirit - unlike his PvZ.
So why is Bisu placed so highly despite just being eliminated from the MSL? Well, because he's doing amazingly well in Proleague at the moment and he is the best PvZ player in the world hands down. His games are really impressive and his PvP is still amazingly solid. I can overlook a weakness to Terrans temporarily, assuming Bisu keeps delivering when it matters. |
| 7. |
Stork[gm]
(P) (stats) |
- |
1 |
8-0
That really speaks for itself. But let's add a little more substance. So Stork came out of left field this month and completely obliterated everyone he touched. He manhandled skyhigh something terrible, although we all kinda expected that. But then he went on to take out eSTRO, quite literally. He all killed them, including a win over Really and Action. But then, on the same day, he dismantled Fantasy in the OSL. You can't fault his performance!! The only reason he isn't higher is because he was eliminated from the MSL and his opponents haven't been S-Class (aside from Fantasy). But if this keeps up, big bird is back in town. |
| 8. |
Light[aLive]
(T) (stats) |
- |
2 |
Despite his massive fail against Pure in the MBC-WeMade ace match (it was painful...) Light did play a very good month of Starcraft. He just made the MSL Ro8 by defeating Roro in convincing fashion, but he isn't in the OSL. Like Sea, Light carried MBC into the playoffs and he did so admirably and with a record of 8-4 for the month, you'd be hard to argue otherwise. |
| 9. |
free[gm]
(P) (stats) |
-2 |
3 |
It's unfortunate that Woongjin are no in the playoffs since free and zero are both playing really well at the moment. I suppose free is getting dropped partially for not playing enough games this month, but the underlying reason for that is that he isn't in the MSL (he lost 1-2). But on the other side, he just took out Kal in the OSL and looks like he's going to make it out of his group okay. We all know free is capable of delivering, and I'm sure he'll deliver over the next month. Hopefully with WCG and STX Masters coming up he'll have a chance to shine. |
| 10. |
BeSt[HyO]
(P) (stats) |
- |
2 |
BeSt isn't in any leagues, but he's been essential to the SKT Proleague run. He's playing incredible PvT (particularly against WeMade, where his MnM defence was superb) and he's holding his own in the other matchups. The point is, despite not being in any leagues he's delivering consistently and has become a pivotal part of the SKT lineup. For that, he gets a low spot in the PR. Funny, I remember Sea was in this position around this time last year as well for the exact same reason... |
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Aotearoa39261 Posts
CBNC:
Stats - ARGARGFARGARGAERGAERGASDFGASDFA.
You are getting dropped for being stupid. I can't believe you lost to Calm in that fashion after dissecting him so perfectly the week before. You are a good player, and you gave up your opportunity to show it off. Please redeem yourself in the Proleague finals.
Kal -
Damn you're playing well at the moment. Too bad you keep running into the best players in the world. Kal isn't going to get enough credit for how good he is because he's going to be eliminated from the OSL as well as the MSL soon. That's kind stupid considering how talented he is. I guess thats the same with STX - amazing team on paper, but completely failing to deliver at the moment. Meh.
Roro -
You're playing well, but not well enough. You had a sick record in July, but you just need that extra little nudge to get into the top 10. But seeing as you were just eliminated from the MSL that might be difficult!!
Baby -
Doh. Rainbow socks.
Zero -
Playing well, but not enough games to really assess where he's at. Unfortunate, since I'm sure he's amazing atm
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jaedong finally back at #1!!! 
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Woot, stork back on the PR, ah good ole times.
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Oh Jaedong, that game against Sea was so painful to watch...
Glad to see you on the throne again though.
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Philadelphia, PA10406 Posts
 HiyA is becoming a running gag here. Can't even buy a CNBC.
And I guess the ranking looks fine to me, but I can't really agree with all of the reasons you've laid out for it being so. Jaedong over Flash is a gut call really, you don't need to excuse Jaedong's losses to make it seem any different.
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iNfeRnaL
Germany1908 Posts
Sorry Plex but even I as a Bisu fanboy have to say 6 is waaaaaaaay too high for him right now.
His PvT is no where near his old level, yes yes, he's still the PvZ god, but his usual godmode in PvP isn't there anymore either...
Other than that, quite a nice rank.
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I'm kind of confused, Jaedong vs Kal was the worst ZvPs Jaedong's played all year.
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On August 01 2010 23:11 TwoToneTerran wrote:
I'm kind of confused, Jaedong vs Kal was the worst ZvPs Jaedong's played all year.
I sort of agree. Those games were reaaaalllly messy and Jaedong was capable of much better. And JDs loss against Sea was really painful to watch. Anyway, Flash is playing worse so whatever :p
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Erhh did plexa watch Polaris Rhapsody jaedong vs Kal?
Where Jaedong was totally unprepared for a standard-as-it-can-be speedlot into 9gate 2 base. I mean, I dont mind that he said the game on odd eye was good, cus it was.
1st or 2nd... Meh, was it just me but is Plexas ranking 1 month late? I mean, when I read flashs ranking I feel like i read last month. (except theeffort one)
It feels as though Flash was forgiven for continous ace match losses last season and now where he lost 1 tvt to light this month according to TLPD
+ Show Spoiler +http://www.teamliquid.net/tlpd/details.php?section=korean&type=players&id=424&part=games&vs=all&league=any&map=any&from_year=2010&from_month=7&from_day=1&to_year=2010&to_month=7&to_day=31&action=Update
Its weird, I mean, please define why Flash gets nailed for a loss vs Light when he lost to god how many last month? Jaedong at top is fine for me but the reasoning doesnt make sense at all.
Also, the game Jaedong played vs sea was the stupidiest thing ever. I mean, are you trying to make up for last month where the argueing mightve changed your mind?
I pretty much agree with everything except... uh... That reasoning, I just dont get it. You think Jaedong is better than Flash right now, fine, I can handle that.
BUT
Jaedong vs Kal on polaris rhapsody??? That looked like Kwanro at hivetech for crying out loud. The game on odd eye was good, but seriously ?
And then you make it look like it was Lights loss not Pures win.
I am seriously puzzled Plexa, care to explain?
edit; spoilered layout breaker
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Fanta too hight, and that opinion is comming from his fan. JD at 1 is a bit controversial if last few games are taken into consideration. Stork lower than i expected. Overall, solid choises for PR.
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Good rank overall.I like the arguements for Flash being second.Some players that performed good but haven`t been mentioned are Action,Hyia and Hydra.Especially for Hiya atleast a cbnc would have been more than deserved.
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Fenrax
United States5018 Posts
Oh my. Plexa <3
PERFECT Power Rank
Read the descriptions later for more feedback, but ranks 1-7 seems perfect. Bisu is tough to rate, but his potential is undeniable. 8-10 seems also okay.
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I don't accept the idea that Effort would have won in that situation instead of Zero. In fact, I don't believe Effort would have made nearly as good of an attempt as Zero who I think might be the best macro zerg at this point. (It's his early game that lets him down.)
Flash was M&M against Effort on Fighting Spirit, and by the time he had made the techswitch to get tanks, he didn't have nearly the time to put together that kind of defense. Against Zero, he was mech the entire time, and was pretty much planning for that kind of game.
Entirely different games.
And for the record, that is the only game where Effort has defeated Flash in the sort-of late game, and Flash was behind nearly the entire time. Effort has Flash's number because he turned into Kwanro for three games unexpectedly in the finals, not because he can consistently beat Flash's macro.
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Also yeah, Effort is completely lost against mech, I'm not sure why you said he would've done better.
Jaedong certainly would have, but Flash seemed so content in that game that it doesn't seem like zero was even close to winning -- just falling in the confines of Flash's gameplan. I don't think it's safe to say Flash would've lost to anyone for sure there.
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Flash has been "solved"? I humbly beg those more knowledgeable in matters of BW than me to explain this solution to me. And please, don't hold back on the details!
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FYI Effort lost to Flash playing that kind of mech almost exactly year ago. And he wasn't even close to breaking it.
Weird ranking. Bisu is way too high given that he is an underdog against virtually any Terran who has competent TvP.
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Eh, I don't know how much we can criticize Bisu's PvT when he's the only Protoss victim of that damn 1 factory -> 3 base strat. I'd very much like to see how Stork or Snow can do against it.
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whoo! Flash is finally not #1 after 9 months. Man...his streak lasted 1 month longer than bisu's =(
Glad to see that Jaedong is #1 again. He really deserves it after being in Flash's shadow for so long =P
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Vatican City State431 Posts
The fact that Effort beat Flash that doesnt mean Jaedong will beat Flash (MSL finals prove that, even Jaedong though Flash will be easy prey after he got beaten by Effort)...Also 4 Protosses on the top 10 is too much considering how bad they are doing in the individuals leagues.
PS: Kal could have won the 1st game vs Jaedong...
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EPT
