Natural Talent? Drive?
First on the idea of 'natural talent', I wish it were as easy as saying I agree with Xander and disagree with Jeff, but there are some things that needed to be added for it to make sense. I think for someone like Xander, who has obviously put in a LOT of effort into the game and still not gotten to where he wants to go, it would be unfair to say that he just hasn't been working hard enough.
This is 100% true. Every still-active player that has never been among the 'best' is unfailingly persistent. Jeff, I know you worked very hard to get to where you are, but I have to say I actually laughed at you saying you practiced 2 hours a day. When I was into the game, people were surprised when I put in less than 8 hours a day (I would honestly bet all of my possessions and money that I have way more hours in the game than you), 2 hours is what I put in NOW when I'm bored before bed. At your first big tournament, you beat Jman. I don't know how to tell you this, but that reaks of natural talent. And yes, you work VERY hard for it, I would never try to cheapen that. But I think it is important that you understand that your efforts count for more than the efforts of others does. And I'm happy for you that it does, because thanks to it AND your hard work, you have gone farther than most of us ever will in the game, and it's awesome to watch you play and cheer you on.
PS: Nobody in AZ would be happy if you stopped going to tournaments. We miss you terribly as is.
Coty, you should get your life savings ready then, I'm sure Axe, will be kind enough to allow you to not have to pay him though.
Axe has practiced WAY, and I mean WAY more than you can imagine, I practically watched him grow into what he is today, and lemme say, it didn't just come "natural" to him... He had to put ALOT of work into his game... I WOULD WILLINGLY bet, he most likely has more practiced than MOST of this state put together... His "Motivation/Determination alone, is probably greater than that of most players as it is...<--- This trait alone is rare as it is, for someone to keep a mindset like this for this long.
Honestly, in the earlier parts of Axe's career, while I was training him/helping him get better etc, his drive, was straight up "unmatched" He would practice things, that you wouldn't even imagine/think would be useful.. He'd practice simple movement options, that would help affect his gameplay... We'd go into matches, and play matches with no C-stick, matches with no shielding, matches with random intentional pausing, to increase mere reaction "We've practiced many "questionable things" I've never seen any player that can sit in training mode like Axe had and for about 12+ hours a day, sit in training mode, and practice mere wavedashing/wavelanding/L cancels, etc... on every stage, (even the ones that don't matter, because they're non-tourney viable) 12+ hours DAILY of simple training mode, practicing just MOVEMENT? this also wasn't just a one time thing.. he was in this phase, for a good month or so.. To have the mental focus of doing this part ALONE is outright outstanding... We'd spend another day, simple practicing "Powershielding" 10+hours, just on "(running powershield<SH,aerial) later nicknamed "SV" then on top of that the "casual practice of doing "friendlies" per day as well.. Simply put his mental focus, is like none i've EVER seen before..(I won't go into detail of everything he's done) but this is a simple example, of his drive, that I don't think people know, give credit about)
Another example I won't get into, but definetely helps (Jeff watches alot, and I mean ALOT of videos, players, habits, ideas etc) not necessarily for him to improve on, as an individual player, but what he actually needs to be aware of and watch out for) This is another minor example, but one I'm not going to note, or post about how long he watches players etc, it serves no real relevance, but it helps his case, and how he learns..
This next part isn't a rant towards any specific person in general alone, but towards players that have told Axe, similar comments, and after a while it's annoying. and yeah THAT'S ALOT OF YOU.
It is a complete insult to him, that everyone thinks that he's naturally gifted, or just has natural ability to just come in and play This is just complete BS, and I take it offensive, and i'm not even the one being targeted I guess Forward, Taj, and Wobbles are NATURAL, and they didn't have to work for anything Who are you all to make assumptions, and judge off of what you don't even know?... The truth is most of you I suppose never got to see him when he was a premature player..I certainly have..
Many of you don't even know this, but Axe was going to give up, many, MANY, MANY, times.. While training with him, all we'd talk about is how we wanted to catch up to Taj/Forward... Taj was a MAJOR inspiration to me, and I wanted to surpass him, and I wanted him to notice me as a player, I wanted to be acknowledged by him, (Mewtwo wise, and as a player) and Forward, was Axe's main goal, as he wanted to be the best player in AZ. It's hard to even remember how many times Jeff had come up to me with doubts in his abilities... luckily I was there to help guide him and believe in himself/his character because IRONICALLY it was HIM, and TAJ that made me realize, that time/dedication/effort/determination etc, can give him, and even myself these goals.. since Jeff's Pikachu was my first loss, when I was advanced. (I had the mindset that MOST of this community has with high tiers) etc... I'm thankful to him, and Taj for realizing that this isn't true. they helped me realize to have faith, and when the time came, I helped him realize, the same lesson he helped me realize.
Most of you don't even know this, but Jeff dropped Pikachu for a good bit, and put his focus on high tier characters, for a few months or so... (Simple self-doubt) causes this... Combine that with his frustration that comes along with it, since he was not able to beat Forward for multiple months, and not to mention frustration for being unable to beat me (his training partner) consistently as well... Sure Jeff's a nice guy, and he won't show it, but he's a competitor as well. (Losing to the person/player you're training with, along with your goal of wanting to become the best) It's obviously going to deteriorate your confidence. Combine the mental focus it requires to play Pikachu/low tier character, and his goal to want to play/prove people that (Pikachu) can be played at top level play. There's a great amount of stress that went through his head. Not to mention half of this state, kept URGING him to play Falco/Fox/high tier character, (many of you and the community still do) and that Pikachu can't do it... Yes, he's going to question his ability as a player. It's like "peer pressure" The players he wanted to overcome, were the same players, telling him he needed to play a better character to achieve success... The other players, that also told him, (that weren't as good as he was) may had told him the same thing, (but that's only because their lack of success as well, and because they may have listened to the better players as well to achieve their own personal form of success. To be blunt in this example, MOST of you other players were a source of Jeff's agony, which only further made his doubts, seem realistic. But i'm saying too much, and even then, most of you probably won't understand.
It is indeed true that some players learn faster than others etc, I dont think anyone can deny that. However, this concept also flirts with how well/detailed someone pays attention as well.. This is what "justifies" who does/doesn't learn fast. With that comes this theory, that people have to use, (topic discussion) to make themselves feel better about their own lack of personal success. (No one can deny it, we've ALL done this in SOME kind of way, whether with education/physical fitness, personal success etc.) at some time in our lifetime. I honestly believe learning faster, than someone else etc, is a mere excuse to discredit another person's ability to learn and pay attention, which is what's being said to Axe atm. In theory, WE ALL have an ability to learn fast, adapt. Just because Axe realizes things/learns things quicker than another is like an insult. Don't discredit his ability to understand. Someone obviously taught him education/morals of life, and many other subjects I can bring in here, that I won't. I think you're all discrediting his ability to understand/learn/adapt about many things, almost down to the detail. Axe's attention to detail is downright amazing as well. (To be blunt he asks questions, and he asks MANY of them, since he'd rather fully understand how it works/doesn't work, rather than risk not knowing it's weaknesses/advantages... Combine that with his "constant practice" No **** he's gonna have good *** results. Minor details like these others don't even pay attention to, or are easily overlooked. This is a "basic' example, and I'd rather not get too deep into it, it's too much to explain, if you don't fully understand the general concept.
I honestly don't know what more I want to put here. I feel uneasy, insulted about many things, and don't exactly know what I want to say, and i'm positive Axe feels this way too, but you all know he won't say anything. He'll let everyone discredit him, without hesitation, since he doesn't wanna bring conflict. I don't even mean harm, at all by this post, towards anyone either... To be real, this is a simple belief of what Axe, and I believe, feel, and have ALWAYS felt this way.... Not to take anything from anyone but NOBODY, knows Axe, what he's gone through, likes/dislikes better than me.. NOBODY is even close... We're not even near anymore, and I STILL know, him better than anyone.. and will understand him better than anyone... I've been there through all of this, not to mention, I'm the guy who helped train him, and have been there for him.
TLDR, (oh yeah it's long) but it needed to be said. No disrespect towards anyone, but I feel.....no, I KNOW Axe feels disrespected right now, and it needs to be noted...and I'm going to stick up for him, cuz it's nonsense, and I know he won't.
~Vman~
EDIT: @Taj - Like I complained months ago, about "certain things" It seems Tony is seeing more what I saw back then. and the relevance/importance of attending our monthlies, is heading towards a "negative" direction, His reasoning(s) may/may not be the same, but I'm sure the general idea, is in the same direction and has been for a while. Some players just don't have the proper mindset, and it's draining/annoying to have to deal with, time and time again... but it's fine. (I'm not the type to repeat, "I told ya so, to a community, as it's pointless and noone will listen...Hopefully, sooner rather than later, understandings can be met, how soon though, I've no idea. This state has enough pride/ego, as it is..
