As an LCS fan, I have felt like some LEC casters (and analyst desk) have taken the opportunity to dunk on LCS teams that fall at worlds, beyond a friendly ribbing.
Flowers and Azael (and Jatt) had the opportunity to do the same thing during the G2 vs. BLG series but they did not. They praised the strengths of G2, were actively cheering for them to win, and displayed true class doing it. Really proud watching that.
External link →Go for it? He’s not doing it on broadcast so its irrelevant
i said bds wouldnt make it out of playins on broadcast tbf
Ender is the absolute worst at this. He’s been punching down for years at this point. Honestly cannot listen to the cast if he’s on an LCS game.
Long post incoming.
For what it's worth I think you are right (or were at least, I think I've gotten better) but here's some context if you find it interesting. I think it speaks to casting and how people can have reputations follow them for a long time, even if they try to change. And who knows when I'll cast league again so here goes...
I was born and raised in Los Angeles and after I started playing league I was an instant LCS fan (TSM Gamecrib was iconic). I regularly went and attended in person. If you think I'm cringe now, you should have seen the photo I took with Phreak with a sign I made in 10 seconds when I saw him walking towards me that said "PUNS OF DAMAGE" when I was like 15. If I had ever been offered a job on LCS I would have accepted. Still would. Anyways, I can't say that I'm a fan now. Since I moved to Europe in 2018 and started casting LEC I just don't have the time or the timezone to watch it more than casually or prep teams going to international events.
As a young caster starting out, you can imagine that I wasn't really like by many people. I wasn't downright hated when I started either, but I was just 'meh.' I got invited to cast 2019 Rift Rivals in NA (the first and only time I've worked in the LCS studio which was a dream come true). I made a choice then. The event leaned heavy into the regional rivalry, and I decided I was going to be the TRAITOR. Then, I didn't really have an identity outside of the 'playtester, jungle guy' and I thought this was a great idea. It wasn't. I carried that 'persona' if you can call it that into the worlds (my first). That culminated in a moment that I quite literally despise. When Sneaky got eliminated and announced his retirement, on cooldown I took a cheap shot at him. At the time, it went unnoticed, but I really felt sh*tty about it.
Anyways, between 2019 and 2020 I wanted to move to NA and cast LCS, but ultimately wasn't offered a position. After that I intentionally tried to shift away from that character. I will admit I still took the occasional shot at TSM in LEC Update, but I think I did a decent job of eliminating it from my casting. Ultimately though, you will be the best judge of that.
Then I moved back to NA to cast VALORANT. I love the game, I love the European teams, I love the American teams (even if Sentinels infuriate me at times). And believe it or not, I still want NA teams in league to do well at worlds.
If you want, be the judge of me. I haven't cast an NA team since 2021 MSI. I believe this is the last game I cast. C9 vs INF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wupk5whUadk
If you want my last NA vs EU cast it was MAD vs TL in 2020 Worlds. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWnn2opUKQg
I haven't rewatched either of these since I actually cast them so I don't know what you will find. But if you care to give a listen and let me know I would be very interested in what you think.
As a young caster
I understood the reasonings behind it. It’s definitely appreciated that you reflect on criticism you receive. You are obviously doing something right still being a part of the LEC.
I didn’t realize it has been that long since you have casted an LCS game. My image of you might be 2 years old at this point, maybe longer if that was the last LEC/LCS match.
For what it’s worth, I didn’t mind you on Valorant.
I think that's normal though. It kinda comes with the job that people's opinions can be formed by a few moments, sometimes a long time in the past. That's why I don't really hold it against anyone. Just means I have to put in extra effort to change minds. If you give either cast a listen, lmk
its alright ender, you aint traitor no more but we will need proof of your loyalty
you can start by sayin NAmen in the copium hype threads for NRG
NAmen o7
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