Man, I love you guys.
I have
NEVER seen a team work harder than this year's BIGs. Everyone was always working on teams, encouraging each other, testing, etc. You all actually enjoyed helping each other get better at this horrible, horrible game, and the best part is that everyone became friends over the season. I have to say that this was one of the best environments I've ever been in on IRC. The amount of time and effort you put into this season really shows considering we finished in first place during the regular season. While it sucks that we won't get a shot at the trophy this year, you all know that we definitely could have made it, and I hope that's enough to keep you thirsty for a win next season.
Gonna preemptively say that I probably don't deserve a like-whore shoutout post given that I was dragged down by laziness and IRL stuff all season, but since I knew most of the team fairly well before the season and I got close to everyone as it progressed, I think that I'll make one anyways.
McMeghan - Good god, Funk and I had a 35k cap on you when we went into the auction and I'm so glad we decided to ignore the money. You were worth every cent, be it through your 8-1 record or your ridiculous amount of testing. You even helped Funk carry out the draft after I had to leave in the middle. We couldn't have asked for more of you because you just did so much. You're definitely any manager's wet-dream, and I hope you continue to own later down the line.
Ginku - I know you were sad that some of your other friends weren't willing to spend more on you, but I'm pretty sure you ended up happy with your new home. You had one of the best SPL records this year and were coincidentally on one of the best teams! You were awesome in the channel and I'm extremely glad we picked you up. Funny-ass guy with good taste in music.
Laga - *Lagod. You had the most confidence on the team for sure, and it really showed in your playstyle. I'm glad I got the chance to meet you man. You're definitely an SPL legend for a reason.
Destiny Device - Unlike Laga, you were always super nervous before your matches which I can relate to. But I can't relate to your being one of the top ORAS OU players. You were super nice and always willing to test, and I'm extremely glad we picked you up. Once you get over your nerves I can definitely see you at #1 the next time power rankings come around. Keep at it dude; you own.
boudouche - I knew you were a great battler and teambuilder before even going into the season and I was super happy we were able to retain you for so little. You really pulled your weight this year and were always happy to test in pretty much any gen which was awesome. It's pretty easy to believe that you got to Tour finals once, and I hope you're able to take the entire thing home if you go for it again.
Evuelf - As part 3 of the franch core you managed to pull your weight. I'd heard from a million Ubers players that you were super underrated and probably one of the best in the tier; I'm glad you proved them right. You were pretty good friends with a lot of guys in the channel and I'm glad you were able to find a find a home in the BIGs.
Sam - THE MAN. I'm glad you used Sandstorm Entei before SPL because you were way cheaper than you should have been. You were one of the people who spoke a ton in the channel and helped keep it alive, and I'm extremely glad we got such a skilled UUer for so little. It's no wonder you're the redaelreit.
Finchinator - I knew you before the season, but I'm sure you weren't very confident in me after that horrendous WCoP, and sadly I don't think SPL could have possibly changed that. I got to know you a lot better this season, though, and I can definitely say you put more effort than legitimately
ANYONE in this tournament. Your scouting reports, testing, and overall effort were incredible this run, and I'm glad we had you aboard for the ride.
atomicllamas - I don't think I got to speak to you that much this year but from the few times we did talk I could tell you were a nice lad. Apparently you were traded to us because you were not cancer despite being on one of the lower teams in the standings which I guess says a lot about you. Regardless, I'm glad you found a home on the BIGs, and hopefully I get to interact more with you in the future!
MetalGro$$ - You were a legend after going 3-0 man. I know you got a bit unlucky towards the second half of the season but I hope that doesn't discourage you. You were an awesome presence and I hope you stick around even after SPL is over.
Sinclair - I'm pretty happy we picked you up even though you got really busy towards the end of the season. One of the funniest moments of the season was when I met up with Tanner and he pulled out his phone and was like "Woah dude apparently JJ showed up out of nowhere and clutched us the week." Glad I got to meet you man. I hope you're doing well IRL!
BLINGAS - I've always been in a lot of the same channels as you but never really spoke to you until some time this year. Apparently you play whatever tier you feel like which was pretty nice when we were testing people out and doing practice battles. You're a really cool dude though, and I'm glad I got to meet you and rem for LCS. Hopefully I'll be able to go to semis with you guys again!
TheEnder - I'm super glad we picked you up at midseason. Even though you didn't get to play that much, you demonstrated that you're a pretty good player, and you were always happy to help when in the channel. Thanks for being a nice guy in general; I hope you had fun with the BIGs!
Windsong - I didn't get to talk to you that much this season after you got traded here but I hope you did have fun when you were online. Not much to say other than that, but I hope to see you around later on!
During Summer - I'm glad we ended up picking you up at the beginning of the season because you were always looking to help and you got along really nicely with our team. I was happy to have you around, and I hope I get to see you playing in other tournaments while you're around on Smogon.
Hill - I've been on other teams with you before but I don't think I ever interacted with you, and honestly I didn't get to talk to you that much this year either. However, I know you were always happy to help whenever it was asked for and you seem to know all gens fairly well. I'm glad we did pick you up midseason and wish you the best of luck in tournaments as long as you keep competing.
Vileman - You didn't get to play that much this season but I'm still extremely glad we got to have you around. You were always willing to help when help was needed and you were genuinely the nicest guy on the team. Stay awesome, man! ☚(ﾟﾟ☚)
royal flush - I'm sure you were disappointed in your record given that you're an old GSC vet, but I'm still glad we had you along with us this season. Even when you weren't playing you were always willing to help with old gens, and aside from that you gave a lot of solid team tournament advice. I didn't get to speak to you that much given that both of us weren't on IRC as much as we probably would have liked, but I'm glad I got to meet you this year and still appreciate all the help you gave to the team.
ZoroDark - I guess I never got to speak to you much because of bad timezones and my general inactivity, but as far as I know we were all happy to pick you up. Glad you got to participate in the BIGs camaraderie, and hopefully you enjoyed the last 6 weeks with the rest of us.
ium - Another one of my good friends from a while back; I'm glad we picked you up midseason. You helped a ton with NU and you were like the friendliest guy in the chat. You were probably better friends with anyone in the channel than all of us and you're definitely one of the reasons we had such an amazing environment.
Jirachee - You were one of my best friends before the season given that we've known each other for like 3 years, and while I didn't get to talk to you as much as the old days I'm at least glad you showed everyone that they made a mistake letting you go for 5.5k. You did so well even while getting lucked multiple times, and you showed the world that you're for sure a top PKMNer. I'm proud of you man.
Funkasaurus - I decided to save one of the best for last. You're another one of my best e-friends and I'm glad I got to share this season with you. While we both have been away from playing Pokemon for a while, you have to take some credit in that you put together this team. I've probably talked to you more than legit anyone in the past few months and I just want to let you know that you have something to be proud of.
Thanks to guys like
BKC,
Bloo,
CrashinBoomBang,
bro fist,
Iris,
CTI,
Nachos,
Mizuhime,
liberty32,
Nails,
Zebraiken,
Isa,
SkillinJah,
IronBullet93,
Lavos Spawn,
Typhlito, and
Edgar. Your presences in the channel were definitely awesome and I'm glad you all decided to come and help. Except for Bloo. That dude's cursed.
Good luck to the Ruiners and my good friends
Ciele and
SilentVerse, two of the cutest guys on Smogon behind only the legendary
tab.
And lastly, while he might have created my favorite album of all time, I have to say: Fuck Nas.
