NWCL Season Two Regular Season Awards (IMO) [L1]
**MVP**
Horse
Cwater
Jaax
Anthony
VetroG
Reasoning: Although Cwater had the best KD and FB FD ratio in the stats, I think many people (including himself) didn't think horse could play to the level that he did. He proved that he is worthy of a top 3 pick and can have a team built around him. He was the most impactful player for his team, who many people thought would not make playoffs at the beginning of the season. Cwater, for obvious reasons, comes in 2nd. He played outstanding and further proved himself a top player in NA. Coming in 3rd, we have jaax, who many people thought he wasn't going to play at the start of the season. He was almost offline for about 2-3 months and came back to prove he is still a top player. Although his first two weeks were shaky, he did pull it out in the end and willed his team into the playoffs. Just falling out of the top 3, we have Anthony and VetroG, who played outstanding for their teams. Anthony, the last 1st round pick who many thought wouldn't be available (hence his drop to the last place spot), came out swinging and was very dominant in his performances. However, last week's match drops him out of the top 3, and the players above him play better. Finally, Vetro played very well in every match he had. Even when his team looked like they were not going to make the playoffs, his FB FD ratio may not be as pretty as the rest of the MVP standings. He is that much of a game-changer.
**Best Captain**
Cwater
Mikey
Russian
BabyJesus
Reasoning: Cwater's draft was by far on paper, just better than everyone else and it was very much proven in their 5-0 record in the regular season. Just losing one map to BBG Cwater and his drafting and coaching put in place a very well-oiled machine that dominated the regular season. Coming in 2nd, we have Mikey, who was not living up to the expectations of many players at the start of the season, and I do feel including himself lived up to given just how well he played in the previous league. His draft was definitely not terrible, but it just wasn't working, so he decided to make many trades receiving Yoshie, Risk, and Vlad and thus making his way into the playoffs. His ability to adapt and make the necessary trades to better his team and later performance makes him deserving the 2nd place spot. 3rd we have RussianFury, who many believed had the worst team on paper and very much exceeded expectations to have his team make playoffs. Having this season's MVP indeed does help, but by no means does it make what Russian did for the team any less critical, and for that Is why I have him 3rd. BabyJ takes the 4th spot as a very underrated captain who I also think many people didn't know his team would make the playoffs. That Jedi master chemistry is very well put, and a solid oiled machine and his trading of Vlad for Camden surely did help in a late push for playoffs.
**Best late-round gem**
Fireboy
Wall
Red Viper
Rafael
Stryker
Reasoning: Fireboy played well and produced well above where he was placed in the draft. Although this was a 5v5 league, and selecting the last two rounds as the decider for this award may have to be taken with a grain of salt, I still believe these players deserve this recognition. fireboy played very well and produced some very clutch round closeouts, and getting some very much-needed first picks or trades, he played well above his round selection, and for that, I have him taking this award. 2nd I have wall. Wall produced not the prettiest stat line at his selection but was overall a solid rock for his team. Having Cwater, Anthony, and Oatmeal can cause you to get overlooked, but he had some moments where he was on par with these players and his opposing. Coming in at 3rd, we have Red Viper. Viper played very well. His FB FD ratio may scare many players looking at this selection, but I believe he was the 3rd best late selection. He repeatedly proved it when his team needed him in clutch scenarios and was a big part of his team's later success in making the playoffs. Rafael is an intriguing case but will be overlooked due to his availability at times. That being said, I do feel that if he could play just as many matches as everyone else, I think he could have taken maybe 1st or 2nd in this award. His knowledge of the game and passive style is very calculated and caused him to win his team's needed rounds to make their maps closer and pressure the other teams to win. Lastly, we have StrykerOP, the man the myth the chamber whore. All jokes aside, he played very well, given his role for his team. I can unquestionably imagine the screaming Mr water put on him not to do anything and block and stun chamber, but I feel he is a better player when he leaves out of this role. He may not have a pretty FB FD ratio or a KD over 1.00, but he played a vital role in his team's dominant performance, and I cannot let it go overlooked.
**Best Match**
Round 5 CHC and Friends vs. BoomerBus Gaming
Round 4 JediMasters vs. GVT
Round 5 BabyRage vs. JediMasters
Round 1 BoomerBus Gaming vs. GVT
Round 1 CHC and Friends vs. JediMasters
Reasoning: I think the best match of this tournament is no doubt Friends vs. Boomer. It went to 3 maps and was a close contest throughout, and it just shows how good horse is to give him the MVP nod. Cwater also shows his dominance and ability to play this game and will his team to victory. 2nd we have Jedi vs. GVT, the almost comeback win for Jedi. If I could compare it to an IRL event, it reminded me of the Rams vs. Bucs in the divisional round in the NFL playoffs. Rams (GVT) dominate throughout and impose their will while the Bucs(Jedis) start to make a comeback and push it to OT. Thus resulting in GVTs victory not choking to make playoffs and advance. 3rd I have the match that decides who goes to the playoffs between Jedi and babyrage. They played their hearts out to make it close throughout, but jaax was not going to allow any other result but a Jedi victory, and for that, I have it going bronze. 4th and 5 are mainly just statement matches to me. Still, I have Boomerbus having the edge considering much thought this was a for sure 2-0 victory for GVT, and causing that to be a different outcome cemented the confidence and swagger boomerbus carried for the rest of the tournament. Friends vs. Jedi was merely a pure dominant master class from friends and leaving Jedi wondering what to do. Although it was week one and their playoff rematch was indeed a masterclass, this just really went to show how dominant Friends were in the regular season.