what is this even supposed to mean LOL
the fact that one of the best players in the history of this website just had a big mental breakdown and everyone's immediate reaction is to clown on him rather than appreciating what he has done for the game is probably what that means
the man has attitude issues and I understand people who dislike him, but he's not exactly wrong. we're watching a top 4 of absolutely insane quality and there's approximately five people acknowledging that and celebrating all the absolutely insane players and games vs. a couple billion jumping on the latest memeable event - his own post in this case.
you can be the best ever and people will still immediately flick from "wow you're literally the best ever good work" to all out clowning on you as soon as you put a foot wrong. there's a fuckload of criticism from every possible direction when you're under the spotlight, this community genuinely doesn't make it easy to be at the top because you have hundreds of randoms watching every move you click and ready to leap at the chance to call out your misplay. I don't blame the guy for having a breakdown, it's stressful. You can pour your heart and soul into a tournament, get
44 points in cups, go out in semifinals 3-2 due to poor luck, and the amount of people who will openly appreciate your performance is still a drop in the ocean compared to all the randoms who will laugh at you. Even the winners get uninspired gassing much more often than they get sincere congratulations. People don't spectate pokemon out of love for the game anymore, they spectate pokemon for the drama between the players involved. And Lavos gave you drama alright, I hope you're happy with the forum likes you all earned from it, to some they're worth more than witnessing the best games of GSC this community has ever seen.
Of course, this post is massively hypocritical of me, as is Lavos's. Neither of us are known for being particularly respectful or positive. But the point stands, doesn't it? Wouldn't this community benefit from having more genuine positivity and appreciation towards all of its great players? Let the plays do the talking rather than the people, celebrate the winners rather than making fun of the losers. Posts like Earthworm's are great to read.
SoulWind, you're fucking amazing. It was a joy to watch you in SPL9 and it was a joy taking absolute hands from you in some RBY Cup a year or two back, I was stunned by how good you are at the tier despite not playing it all that often. You have given me more than a few great moments on this website and I always look forward to watching your sets. Thank you.
McMeghan, your attitude is genuinely inspiring - you've given me a lot of open and sincere appreciation throughout SPL10, completely unlike any other interaction I've had on this site before, and your winpost for these unfortunate semifinals was as graceful as it could be. If I behaved like you do I'd he a lot happier, and if everyone behaved like you do, this community would truly be a better place. You're an incredibly gifted player as well, please keep doing what you're doing.
ABR, teaming with you on my first ever official teamtour influenced me heavily, I owe so much of how I handle self-analysis and self-improvement in this game to your philosophies, and I really respect the confidence in backing up all of your beliefs - some of which I disagree with, but that's only natural. Your SPL9 is still the best individual effort I've ever witnessed in this game, the amount of behind the scenes contributions that you gave to the team deserves so much recognition. You're a true pioneer and champion. Thank you.
Lavos, it's a shame that it had to end like this. I understand and empathize with you. You're one of the most talented players I know, not even just in pokemon, and it's sad losing such an incredible element of the tournament community - not that I can blame you for choosing to do this. I hope that wherever you go you can find mental peace and an environment that allows you to improve on your attitude. Thank you for demonstrating just what level of consistent dominance people can achieve when they combine talent with hard work - as far as I'm concerned, your name is permanently engraved in smogon history as one of the best.
Thank you for the incredible show so far, not only to those four, but to all 16 playoff participants, this was hands down the best playoffs of any individual tournament I've seen yet. Hoping the final lives up to the rest of the tournament.