Shroud explains why it’s “harder” to be a pro in esports than basketball

As a passionate gamer, let me tell you, I’ve always believed that taking on the esports scene can be tougher than stepping onto a professional basketball court. Here’s why: unlike basketball players who often have extraordinary physical abilities, gaming is open to anyone, regardless of their physical makeup. It’s not about how fast or strong you are; it’s about your mental agility, strategy, and skill. So while some athletes may have an advantage due to their physique, gamers can level the playing field with dedication and practice.

Between the years 2013 and 2018, Shroud was a professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) player. While he didn’t reach the legendary status of some past players, Shroud did garner success within the North American competitive scene and emerged victorious in several significant tournaments.

As a gamer myself, I’ve taken a dive into the world of Valorant and even got a temporary spot on the Sentinels team. From my own perspective, I’d argue that competitive gaming, or esports, presents a unique set of challenges that are just as demanding, if not more so, than professional basketball.

Shroud argues that esports are more difficult than pro basketball

In the course of a livestream discussion, Tarik posed a question to Shroud: Is it more challenging to excel as a professional in basketball or esports? To this, Shroud responded by pointing out that it’s not comparable because being a pro basketball player requires genetic advantages.

Tarik restated the query by considering the scenario where one is naturally talented physically. Shroud answered, “In that case, you’d be a professional in the game. A significant part of any sport involves having the right physique for it.

Shroud explained the concept using video game analogies. Essentially, he said it’s like starting with a fresh character (or ‘spawn’). If your skills and equipment are strong enough, you can excel at the game, but remember, in a video game, you don’t start with those advantages; instead, you need to work hard and earn them each time you play.

Shroud added, ‘Moreover, in the world of video games, the meta is always evolving.’ Compare this to traditional sports where rules and strategies remain largely unchanged for centuries.”

Or more informally:

“Shroud went on to say that in video games, the ‘meta’ keeps transforming. On the other hand, in sports, things stay pretty much the same for a very long time.

There’s some support for Shroud’s claim, as reported by NBA sources in 2023, stating that the typical player stands at approximately 6 feet, 6.5 inches tall. In contrast, data from the CDC shows that the average American male was 5 feet 9 inches in height in 2021, making a significant nine-and-a-half-inch difference between NBA players and the general population.

As a gamer, I’ve got to admit, even in virtual worlds, it’s rare to find characters under six feet tall leading the team consistently, much like in the NBA. The exception, of course, is the diminutive Yuki Kawamura from the Memphis Grizzlies, who stands tall at just 5-foot-8, but still holds his ground as a starter.

In the world of eSports, one’s height and other physical traits don’t significantly impact one’s skill level in a video game. While some traditional athletes might argue otherwise, Shroud presented a strong argument suggesting that the competitive landscape is generally leveled out.

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2025-02-06 02:25