Denial was, arguably, a Top 3 team before they shipped Renato “Saints” (@SaintsRF_nV) and Tommy “ZooMa” Paparatto (@ZooMa_nV) to Team EnVyUs (@TeamEnVyUs) in exchange for Clay “Clayster” Eubanks (@Clayster) and Jordan “JKap” Kaplan (@DenialJKap). So, what was the point of the trade? In light of the recent surge for players attempting to figure out rosters that would optimize their chances at winning the Call of Duty World Championship, we all knew that EnVyUs had to change their roster (see my previous articles). The trade made sense, somewhat, for EnVyUs. They ship off two players who have under performed (to be fair the entire team except maybe Anthony “Nameless” Wheeler has underperformed) at their only two LAN events in MLG Columbus and Orlando. However, what was the point of trading two players from a team that recently placed 3rd at UMG Orlando? There are a few different reasons that make sense as to why Denial decided to part ways with Saints and ZooMa. Conflict: First off, it seemed a tad bit apparent that there were internal issues between certain roster members on the Denial squad. The most transparent point was when Denial, after recently acquiring one of the best players in the previous Call of Duty title, Ghosts, in “Attach,” an extremely talented, but young (18 years old) player who had never been involved with such a large organization like Denial, placed a measly 6th, and seemed to simply be lacking some sense of camaraderie. 6th place was an underperformance for this roster, as they came off of winning their first ever event during Ghosts, they were arguably the best team in the world coming into Advanced Warfare, however something simply seemed to be missing. Whenever the camera, at events, zoomed into the Denial booth something seemed off. If I had to put my finger on it, I would say there was internal tension on the squad of some form, why else would you break up a team who jumped from 6th to 3rd from one event to the next? Well, the answer could have came from above. Business: Clayster and JKap represent an enormous fan base and present a massive audience outreach that no other player on Denial ever has nor could have. Both these players also bring an extremely high level of talent that neither ZooMa nor Saints really have. Before you jump at my throat, let me say that yes statistically ZooMa and Saints have out played Clayster and JKap so far through Advanced Warfare. However, Clay and JKap are phenomenal players, both arguably top 10 players in the world if they are playing to potential, which in the right system, the right team composition, they can and they will thrive, as we have seen countless times in the past. Is the roster of Attach and Replays the correct system/composition? Only time will tell. Until then, it is safe to say that Robby Ringnalda, Denial’s CEO, did not hesitate to pull the trigger on making Kap and Clay apart of the wolf-pack, and I have to say, I would not hesitate either. From a marketing perspective, it makes sense, and if the roster actually works, meaning Clay and JKap play to their potential while also grooming Attach, and help Replays raise his level of play, it would only be a bonus. Let me know what you think about Denial’s roster move, @SaVi_JayD!
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May 2015
By: Jake PayneContent Writer Categories |