Alright then from my PoV not Wes' or 112's:
I don't see you enough Laijin. I was told you attended AWA, and before that Initiation and before that SAVII I believe. There have been several other GA tournies from there, including G4S, SoD I, SoD II, and RUGE. And yes I do keep track of (or try to, I attend all GA's tournies that are reasonable) the more important figures or those considered for this The longer you stay out, the less considered you are. Now you are missing Devotion. Don't think I'm harping or whatever cause I'm not and I do understand that you have no ride, but that's how that works out.
Another factor is skill. Am I saying you suck? No, if you did you prob wouldn't have even been considered for pending lol. So don't think that. However those top ten, and a majority of that pending, have proven time after time their ability to be consecutive, and not just a "OMG I beat so and so once so I'm uber," kind of deal.
A third factor is experience. This kind of coincides with how often you're seen. Experience leads to greatness, and true you may have been around longer than some (I think your account says 2004), but their experience may be greater. Not to big of a factor, but nonetheless it is considered.
OOS placements/attendance. Representing GA on a good level is something all of GA needs. The top 10 are the best we have (list always subject to change of course), and honestly if we put them in OOS, would perform quite well (theorectically speaking of course, lol). OOS experience helps you in consideration, on my part at least, cause it shows that not only are you willing to make the effort to travel and compete on a representing status, but if you actually do good out there you're competing against hopefully some of the top in that state. Beating a top player in other states is a good bit of help towards your acknowledgment.
Individual popularity amongst your smasher peers. It's good to hear from other people say "OMG did you see what Wes did to Blake to win back the tournament?" or "Mike G 16 stocked SC!", that kind of thing makes you stand out. When this is on a consistent level, I can't help but think "Hmmm a candidate maybe?"
Hence why we have our Pending List. This was our first attempt at a GA Top 10, and it is not perfect yet, but I say we did a pretty good job. The Pending List is there to give proper credit to those who were in consideration, but did not quite make the list, as well as those who may be up and comming to finally arrive at that list.
Now as a closing note, don't hate me or whatever lol, I am giving my PoV on my personal thoughts, and of course Wes and 112 may, and probably will, think differently from me. But do be aware that even if you beat Carter once or twice, that kind of thing is taken into consideration true, but it by no means automatically puts you ahead of him. The key to making that top 10 Laijin, is to become consistent in doing good, especially good against the current top 10. Devotion is actually a tournament I myself will be watching closely for new potentials and change ups.
So even if you dind't make it this time, or won't make it the next go around, we always will reconsider everyone at each new panelist meeting. Again attend more, and become more consistent.
but yeah u guys r awesome and ill keep playing cus of it!
so I guess you shouldn't say you have the best anything or he will start to main with that character and kick your *** with it or something