ItaStallion - The new Norberto?!?!?

[JJ_DUBZ_87]

Dare I say?? And yes, it may still be too early to tell, but ItaStallion's scores have been pretty darn one-sided... with the exception of a few 7-6 sets that tipped his way (most to be followed by a 6-0 bludgeoning)



ItaStallion is a passionate fan of the game of tennis as a whole (virtual and non-virtual), as can be seen from his occasional loss of temper on some forum topics . He's a stubborn guy to play (he's given me more bagels than I can stomach), often using control shots and short angles that leave his opponents wondering "how did I fall for that again?!? "

Is HE the next Norberto? Time will tell, and there are some other strong players in the PS3 field (Likos, godzin, swifty, oscarzero, top players from TS3 - DRII, Alex, Chump101; to name a few)

The season's just starting and the competition's fierce! Let's see who gravitates to the top of the TS4 ranking boards.

[ItaStallion]

ahhh DUBZ i'm sure you will be right up here with us top players soon enough.

I have alot of work if i want to be the next Norberto.

But as you said time will tell.

[willjonesjrSUSPENDED]

Not likely. Norberto could actually play high risk game and make it pay in dividends. TS4 doesn't allow you to play risky shots so there is no way to compare the two. The Norberto of TS3 can't really exist because there is no risky playing now just endless rallies and winners.

[JJ_DUBZ_87]

Tactics play a lot more into this edition of TopSpin. Proper shot selection is key to being successful at TS4.

If you look at the games yeah TS3 and TS4 are completely different beasts to tame. In TS3 if you didn't risk, you were looking at a lackluster career, maybe top 20-30 if you stacked your player well and played every tournament offered every week.

IMO it's harder to dominate TS4 because of the lack of risky shots. I give Norberto LOTS of credit because of what he was able to accomplish with TS3... he worked the risk system brilliantly. I do, however, feel like what ItaStallion is doing (winning convincingly) deserves some credit based on the very facts you mentioned. There's no risky shots! Which makes being dominant that much more difficult.

[willjonesjrSUSPENDED]

Risk is important in tennis. We wouldn't have Agassi, Sharapova, or even Federer without risk. Taking away such an important part of the game is pretty sad. I wasn't even a big risker but I appreciated it's importance in the game. Strategy in TS4 is just not as at the same level as it was in TS3 because the latter had more options and ways to hit the ball. Now we are severely limited in what feels like tennis in a box. There is some but it is really watered down to make it easy for arcade players who make up the majority. I know I complain a lot but to compare the stallion guy to Norberto is just ludicrous. Norberto outsmarted, outfought, and outrisked his way to the top. Don't forget that it took alot of skill to risk. To think all of that skill he has and now he can't use it because most players are in-capable of matching his level. smh

[JJ_DUBZ_87]

I understand that risk is important and true to real life tennis... which is why I commend Norberto again for his mastery of the risk game. You are also correct in saying that Norberto's skill at risking surpasses almost ALL of the competition in the ITST...based on his relentless dominance of the Rankings (:twisted:). Yeah he'd have some losses, but I'd rarely see Norberto in TS3 losing 1-6, 0-6 to anyone.

Although risk isn't there, there's still some degree of shot selection, and they accentuated that with the "control" shots. They did make it somewhat more arcadey, but then again if you look at the videos for VT4, TS4 has a loooong descent to get to that level of simplicity and brainless ball-striking (dare I mention Smash Court Tennis 3?? ...sidebar::roll: why does everybody hate that game so much anyways?!?:cry: The worker at gamestop almost banned me from the store for buying it when I had a 360 ...but I digress...). There's still an element of risk in TS4 in that you have to say "ok I can't just wail on every ball" because if you do, more likely than not you'll find yourself in a defensive position on the run.

I don't feel it's ludicrous to compare ItaStallion to Norberto, because just as you say Norberto "outsmarted" his opponents, ItaStallion is a SMART player. Also, you can still out-fight ppl in TS4, that element is not lost. You can see this in the 7-6 first sets and the 6-1 second sets. One lapse of concentration against these top guys and you're DONE. In terms of the risking, Norberto is the undisputed champ, but that was TS3. In TS4, the risk factor doesn't involve just pressing a button anymore

It's like how people compared Federer to Sampras; they had two different eras and two different generations of the game to play. Just as Norberto dominated TS3, ItaStallion is showing just as much promise to be a dominant force in TS4 but within the TS4 parameters.

[willjonesjrSUSPENDED]

nah. this game is easier.

[JJ_DUBZ_87]

ur right

[Sherlock 117]

nah. this game is easier.

Well, actually if the game is easier than you need to "out-fight" your opponents even more. If the game is more technical, than it is more about "skill". This has nothing to do with the Top Spin series specifically, but just in general.

You may not feel you have to "out-think" your opponents in TS4, but you obviously have not been playing at the top level then. When you get two good players it feels like a chess match. I never once had this feeling in TS3, it was all about being able to risk.

BTW, I agree with you that some element of risk is sorely missing. I just disagree with your conclusion that it makes the game "easier". Not sure what that is supposed to mean. Sure it's easier to play the game half-way decent. But it's still just as hard to become truly good at the game.

[JJ_DUBZ_87]

In the sense of technicalities then TS4 is easier... there's less to think about when preparing your shot (control risk, or power risk, or risk both control and power, or no risk at all )

But I agree with Sherlock's point. If anything it makes the game slightly more challenging because you have more players with the same tools (no risk shots to master...just basic strokes), and it is like a chess match during close matches.

Tactics is key in this new generation of top spin. Positioning, and shot selection are SO important. One wrong move and you're in a defensive position.

[Rob ITST]

nah. this game is easier.

No such thing as "easier" when you play online against good players. Not with TS4, or any other game.

[Andymachine]

Not likely. Norberto could actually play high risk game and make it pay in dividends. TS4 doesn't allow you to play risky shots so there is no way to compare the two. The Norberto of TS3 can't really exist because there is no risky playing now just endless rallies and winners.

I actually used risk a lot in TS3 and was good at it , but ive had to adapt for TS4 , i felt a bit like Samson without his hair when i first played Ts4

[willjonesjrSUSPENDED]

I enjoyed playing you Andman in our only ts3 match! You can't tell me that was a boring match! I literally could fall asleep playing ts4 sometimes! You played with very heavy topspin amd high risk and figured my game out in the second set! Thank god you could actually finish a point back then. Now you have to dedicate at least 2 minutes to each point, lol!

[JJ_DUBZ_87]

come on Will the points aren't that long...