Sam “DaZed” Marine Joins ESL Broadcast
Sam “DaZed” Marine has recently joined ESL’s broadcast of the North American division of the Pro League. This has reminded fans of the void left by the permanent ban of former iBUYPOWER players DaZed, Keven “AZK” Lariviere, Braxton “swag” Pierce, and Joshua “steel” Nissan by Valve. The ban, executed after their match-fixing scandal, has sparked debate concerning the relationship between Valve and the Counter-Strike community. Putting ethical concerns aside, let’s speculate on what would happen if the bans were lifted and these players could re-enter the North American scene.
DaZed to OpTic
DaZed, known for his success in Source and early success in GO, could be a great addition to OpTic. OpTic had a promising start this summer but has since been lacking in performance. Their preference for skill over tactics has been evident in their roster changes. Adding DaZed to the team could address their deficiencies in skill and leadership, potentially improving their overall performance.
AZK to Cloud9
AZK, often overlooked in the iBUYPOWER lineup, was known for his consistency rather than flashy plays. Cloud9, despite their recent good form, could benefit from a more consistent player to support their star player, Stewie2k. AZK’s steadiness could provide stability to the team and prevent unnecessary mid-tournament upsets.
Swag to TSM
Swag, a talented player known for his cautious gameplay, could replace Autimatic in TSM. While TSM has had some success, their lackluster performances and inability to close out games have been evident. Swag can bring stability and star power to the team, especially in clutch scenarios where Autimatic has been inconsistent.
Steel to Splyce
Steel, known for his streaming presence and game knowledge, could be a valuable addition to Splyce’s young lineup. Splyce has struggled since their impressive start and lacks veteran leadership. Steel’s experience and skill could help unite the team and improve their performance, possibly by replacing captain Arya “arya” Hekmat or David “DAVEY” Stafford.
While these roster moves can only exist in the hypothetical realm, the potential of their comeback is intriguing. The bans may have affected the players negatively, but they also had an impact on the North American scene and the entire competitive circuit. Whether the bans were justified or not, the departure of these players was felt by the community.