The Story of NiKo 2.0: CS:GO's Greatest Aimer is Still Chasing Glory

Nikola "NiKo" Kovač, is, undeniably, one of the most talented pros to ever touch CS:GO.
But despite his incredible performances, so far, his career has been defined by a string of falling just short of ultimate glory.
Time and again, the crown has eluded him. But now, with a team built to help him succeed, the narrative might finally change - NiKo might finally get his coronation.
Narrated by: Josh Bury (@throwngauntlet)
Written by: Alina Sotula (@ASotula)
Edited by: Connor Dunn (@ConnorDunn_)
Produced by: Keith Capstick (@KeithCapstick) & Matt Massey
Thumbnail by: William "Magoo" O'Keefe (@MagooMagoof)
Footage Credits: pastebin.com/p...
Music used under license from Associated Production Music LLC (”APM”).
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[@G2esports]

This guy's pretty cracked 🐐

[@illy15]

Haha! Hope he doesn’t whiff this time!

[@m4a1snerfed]

m4a1s is overpowered and csgo devs don't care about balance therefore it's a waste of time to play csgo

[@justlife.9556]

@@m4a1snerfed who asked?

[@mapo1902]

@@m4a1snerfed who asked?

[@iamelite20]

yes and your team is pretty cracked aswell

[@Moaningmonar]

this guy is just cursed at grandfinals

[@thebluecollarkid1831]

NiKo has seen the Year of C9, Astralis Era and Na'Vi victory.... When is his time coming?! He deserves it truly!

[@Gavrilooo]

Agreed.

[@hillebumm8312]

I dont wish it to him but i think he could get into the club of insane players to never get a major just like guardian lets just hope that this never happens

[@leutrimmurseli9619]

Never, if it didn't happen with Faze it will never happen

[@darthjugger5204]

Maybe he would have had his time if he wouldn‘t have kicked the best igl of all time karrigan

[@XH4N_]

now he will see the time of faze.. the team he supposed to be with at the top

[@themoonbass3801]

His deagle plays are always impressive though. King of the Deagle

[@StillGalaxy174]

His whiffs are legendary too

[@crymeariver9141]

I love his whiffs and chokings too. PSDT: Just kidding, I luv ma boi NiKo

[@robertvq842]

@@StillGalaxy174 There's literally one important whiff that I remember and that's at the Major, and shit like that was bound to happen eventually, however, I don't think his "whiffs" are legendary because they rarely happen. That deagle whiff was so rare that people are still talking about it today is actually insane.

[@Gavrilooo]

@@robertvq842 Couldn't have said it better.

[@phantom498]

@@robertvq842 I really liked 3kPhillips analysis video on it, it cool to see it broken down

[@Germs19]

The most impressive thing about Niko in the previous major to me was how often he would take a ton of utility damage at the start of the round, and yet he would still find 1-2 entries while hovering around 40hp. His round impact is honestly unreal. People seem to forget to that even if he whiffed that deagle shot, he did so much just to even put his team in that position.

[@daveperella1263]

It sucks bc those shots were so close and could have hit if he was more lucky

[@Gavolak]

No one deserves a major more than Niko.

[@riari666]

s1mple did, now niko turn.

[@bizarro4587]

Karrrigan deserves it more

[@chypres89]

Rain, Karrigan.

[@brownbreadinc127]

@@chypres89 you,my good sir, is speaking facts 👌👌👌

[@nightreaper9493]

@@chypres89 idk about that they were not playing like they deserve it , only recently they proved it

[@dalepr69]

Honestly, Nika is almost the sole reason G2 made it to the finals against Navi, he was playing out of his mind the whole event, was really good to watch.

[@kassius9283]

who's Nika?

[@dalepr69]

screw it, im leaving it in, typos be dammed

[@zezanje1]

ye he solo carried the team to the finals, sucks that he needed to be the one to miss that shot. noone can blame him tho, since he got them there in the 1st place.

[@JustAPokemonCommentingOnVideos]

Nika do be the GOAT

[@99Teutons]

@@kassius9283 Niko's long lost sister

[@andreiiojiban673]

Here 1 year after an NiKo won IEM Cologne, while being MVP!❤love this man !

[@aimbotprestigemaster2852]

G2 looks promising once they get the hang of their coordination and team work. No doubt they’ll perform better with time, and the uncrowned king will finally get his crown.

[@faker3033]

did not make playoffs sadly

[@aimbotprestigemaster2852]

aged like milk

[@CharlieFilms.]

AleksiB system will never work with star players, he need to be able to command average players like chess pieces

[@essschesss6471]

💀

[@sohanchalla3458]

@@essschesss6471 💀

[@andreho6902]

S1mple too was once known as one of the greatest never to win a Major. I really hope Niko and co. can step it up the rest of this year and make it happen. Rooting for him

[@gandalfgass]

Niko's hardcore carry during the second half of 2021 was so strong that he broke records. Not even star awpers were close to his level of backpacking the entire team up the hill, yet alone riflers who are left in the dust in terms of consistency. iirc 37 maps with rating above 1.00 is Niko's record (rating 2.0), beating s1mple who has done 31. Think best rifler is at like 11 or something and it's lurker. Niko's performance during last few months of 2021 was the best individual performance in CSGO's history over such period of time, and it's not just an unimaginable level of consistently insane performance - it's unimaginable level for someone who plays so agro that he's basically an entry which is the most volatile role in the game. His impact was trough the roof. It was insane to witness it really, I am not sure if we'll ever get to witness such strong individual performance ever again.

[@petarpirev]

So true. I`ve never seen someone racking 25-30 frags consistently in losing matches. As you said, during the second half of 2021, he was the best player in the world without a doubt and definitely my GOAT. I hope, if called upon with this roaster, we will see him delivering the same level results. I think G2 are (will be) able to win MAJORs this year, and I can`t wait for it. The only team I see as a `Major` obstacle is Faze. They have a great line-up. And as we saw, they are just as hungry for the trophy. Whichever team prevails, we are bound to see a f*cking spectacle!!

[@gandalfgass]

@@petarpirev Reason I think Niko is unlikely to perform on same level him self is because that record breaking performance happened with some a bit fortunate circumstances. Recipe for such performance is that he needs to be the best player in the server and he without a doubt is. Second thing is that your team needs to be ever so slightly worse than opponents so everything is on your shoulders. I do not want to diminish it one bit that Niko is insanely good and likely top 3 player of all times alongside s1mple and zywoo - but he needed those circumstances to have those stats. I see potential in new G2, they seem like they can win a lot. Just without that much hard carry from Niko. And I am sure he's willing to make that tradeoff, stats are not everything, they show some things when used properly but trophies are trophies. I also see new vitality being insane in few months, gambit squad in C9 now is sick, so with it faze, G2 - insane. Navi is likely not going to last much.

[@petarpirev]

@@gandalfgassI`ve always liked Dupreeh, even in post Astralis era. He can do anything and everything. I just can`t see it clicking for a Danish/French roaster. It might be a communication issue, but I doubt it. Zywoo was best, when VItality were. Apex is too emotionally invested for me, despite being great as an IGL, this can make or break any game, and you can`t wager a match outcome on the state of one person. Two completely different cultures. I havent seen new C9 line-up. Did they buy the whole Gambit org. or what?

[@gandalfgass]

@@petarpirev Ye Dupreeh was always awesome, down right one of my favorite players ever. I agree that apex is mad, their comm videos show him over communicating af, he micromanages too much imo. He even micromanages after he dies which is god awful to listen. It will take them some time for sure. I do not have too much faith in apex, other 4 are in place imo. Zywoo's English is really bad, really takes him a lot to say anything in game. Think main reason he struggles is that. As for Gambit squad, C9 just bough a squad with a coach.

[@iamguyfawkes1474]

he will get back up there, all he needs is a stable team which doesnt depend on him hard-carrying all the time

[@frnxss8520]

i hope niko gets a major before hanging it, he's was the one i look up to when i started cs up until now; hope his time will come especially with m0nesy in his side and hunter looking top notch more than ever.

[@echosurfer7327]

dont think he's gonna hang himself if he doesn't win a major mate

[@frnxss8520]

@@echosurfer7327 pretty sure he wont! hope he doesnt get tired of running it back again and again til he gets it

[@nicolainilsen5101]

@frnxss history repeats itself. Aleksib kicked without G2 winning anything. Maybe Niko is the problem? Does his stats matter when the team cant function?

[@TROLGUY999]

@@nicolainilsen5101 dont think its his fault tho

[@nicolainilsen5101]

@@TROLGUY999 elaborate?

[@blipblop5757]

The greatest rifler of all time.

[@michaelzheng8108]

Thanks for raising deagle blaze prices 😠

[@JustaRandomGuy890]

NiKo is my favorite player I just love how much he respects everyone and loves his team. And as a player, he is just so smart best positioning best crosshair placement AND and amazing aim to back it up. As long as he doesn’t IGL everything will be alright for him, eventually he will get what he deserves.

[@JustaRandomGuy890]

I’m also happy they didn’t win Nuke against Navi, winning a major without losing any map is what S1mple deserves

[@primalguardian4330]

Calling NiKo to best crosshair placement is just insult to xantares bro , yes niko is best aimer but xantares has 10x better crosshair placement than NiKo

[@ezrapame7965]

maybe he didn't put *one of the* .. but m sure he meant it in a friendly way without claiming it

[@mentosz9609]

@@primalguardian4330 bottares Lan bot

[@viktorkaljevicc4743]

@@primalguardian4330 um not really

[@kalle9898]

I have missed these type of videos "Story of..." would love to see more of them!

[@fabiantil]

Getting a 2.0 video on theScore > winning major

[@strahinjatrajkovic4276]

Hopefully

[@darenchan1996]

"No pain, no gain" We are still waiting for NiKo to hold a major trophy

[@combatwombat2134]

Ropz, Karrigan, Rain and Niko all deserve a major. Unfortunately, it's on two separate teams. I've been a fan of Niko since I started watching him play when he joined FaZe and I desperately want him to win one. That being said, I adore watching Rain, Karrigan is absolutely the GOAT of IGLs and Ropz is doing so much work - I can't say, even as a fan of Niko, that they don't equally deserve it. Hey, at least if it comes down to a G2/FaZe final, I'm happy either way.

[@ethhics]

AAAAAAAnd G2 just got eliminated from the major...

[@sankalpdas8675]

My G.O.A.T , this man deserves everything for all the hardwork that he puts in , love you NiKo

[@AzanZ]

same

[@eliasvonbrille]

Tbh I think Niko is the best player in the World right now and has been for a while. Of course stat-wise there will always be the star Awpers on top of the List but that's because it lies in the Nature of the AWP to be the most consistent topfragger. Just when you look at how much more Money the Awpers use on Average due to get crowfounded by the Team for the AWP most rounds you will notice that comparing Riflers with Awpers stat-wise is pretty much impossible. I believe Riflers are ridiculously underrated because most players don't understand that the Stat comparison give the Awpers an hardcore edge over the Riflers. The fact that some Riflers like Niko can still somewhat compare to the Star Awpers makes me seriously doubt that people like Simple and Zywoo are rightfully considered the best.

[@michaelzheng8108]

And awpers save more. Sadly some riflers are expected to entry frag while awpers... but you do have jw and kennys.

[@korosu96]

Incoming: The Story of NiKo 3.0: CS:GO's Greatest Aimer Got the Glory

[@matjocs4453]

I feel so sad for niko. He have lost 2 major finals and he was in the lead in both of them ;(

[@dat9454]

Not really in the lead in last one against navi, just on the second map

[@kaostaa]

NiKo deserves this major so much

[@lewis1688]

Niko are you kidding me????

[@F0ste]

I pray everyday for this guy. Hope one day God give him a break and offer him what he deserve , a MAJOR.

[@hattorihanzo562]

after s1mple got his major, hes the next one i really want to win, he deserves it.

[@wh7988]

King without a crown 😢

[@5ajk029]

Unfortunetly😢

[@krislipumano7806]

Here after niko finally winning Katowice

[@tesseract_uk]

niko absolutely carried his team to the Major finals. IMO however good S1mple is that feat deserved MVP

[@F3RRO1]

Niko left Faze for G2 now Faze just won their first major.

[@mic300391]

Now G2 only needs Alexib to perform as an IGL for them to lift a major trophy.

[@himanshukhati1193]

Jackz need to improve too

[@gamerarts8455]

@@himanshukhati1193 jackz is the reason g2 qualified in the major tho

[@himanshukhati1193]

@@gamerarts8455 I am talking about his inconsistency.....yeah he was a beast vs Astralis in vertigo

[@samfunfun646]

I would love to see The Story of Kronovi: the First God of Rocket League now that he's retired from pro play

[@GabZ_58]

and now they didnt even made Playoffs. its hard to understand for me that you trade your ingameleader after reaching a Major Final. It was absolutely doomed that they will not play great

[@shivamsiddharthasinghrajaw7671]

guys im from the future, g2 didn't qualify again

[@ShawnFX]

And I'm fron the further future NiKo and G2 won Katowice!!

[@delphi6620]

even further from the future: they won cologne

[@judenfrage]

kicked karrigan for this? 🤣

[@TROLGUY999]

Last year he won katowice and cologne with G2, something only Fnatic (2015) and Faze Clan (2022) have managed to do. The king finally won some S tier events, but sadly the major win still eludes him. Im sure that one day he will get his major as well.

[@Expanses02]

I really want Niko to win a major in his career 😭

[@keshavnuwal7991]

He didn't even qualify for this major.. Lmao🤣they kicked NEXA.. A huge mistake

[@bluz9951]

the current g2 roster is my favourite team tied with prime astralis. NiKo is the goat, m0NESY is a cracked teenager with heaps of potential, HooXi is one of my favourite and smartest IGLs, huNter is kinda mid imo and JKS is an aussie legend. stacked team with some real personality

[@ВасилийМагомедов-в3ъ]

GOAT OF AIM, but unluckiest in majors...

[@1kvmi]

nikos performance isnt the problem, its the ego

[@lucasvinicius-oo2ik]

Niko S1mple Coldzera Guardian Fallen LEGENDARY PLAYERS

[@m4a1snerfed]

csgo devs: we will not bring back the famas burst accuracy from older games because we believe it is too strong also csgo devs: oh yeah by the way we gave a low recoil ct rifle ak47 body damage

[@2Kayu]

-🤓

[@psych0CS2]

HOLY SHIT HE WROTE SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

[@mentosz9609]

@@2Kayu he's not wrong though , m4a1s really is overpowered

[@TheHonga]

wtf he wrote something else

[@marcellinosebastian9406]

Congratulations Niko

[@bommeyyofficial]

after this esl i think hes already one of the best my man had to be igl because hooxi was not available to play

[@bboosss1065]

After simple finally winning a major I think the entire community is now cheering for niko to achieve what he truly deserves

[@vader5662]

ouch

[@Eidolon5150]

I’d love nothing more than to see Niko win a major, I got s1mple my favorite player win last year, now it’s time for Niko to lift the major.

[@electron2708]

niko: the king of tilt

[@CharlieFilms.]

King of kicking the second best IGL to ever play the game and fucking over your own career

[@yashgurung2809]

I want to see: @G2 Esports Jackz the Site Hold God Niko the frag trader (if he knows where the noobs are he will 100% win the trade) Hunter the entry fragger in front of Niko Alexsibi the 2nd Awper Monesy the confident flash

[@jamesxm4240]

He deserves a major, Had a couple finals

[@potatongina1254]

when i lookin nico feels like im looking at rtz from dota 2 they have cursed like impossible to get major and ti

[@LD-dt1sk]

Its so rare to see someone from my country so famous

[@DenysVidovich]

tbh i think niko is better than s1mple cuz he gets these insane numbers without using an awp

[@macchi8882]

Of course he really needs to win. He's a very talented player who puts in the hardwork. Played with the most talented players that ever touched csgo.

[@battlemoist3811]

Yo its 4 48 am in Singapore rn and this video slaps cuz i am high asf

[@bizarro4587]

make 4th one about Niko, The story of Niko, Born to lead, born to kill not to lead and The story of Niko 2.0, Best player of 2022 Broky: 0 stories keep it up

[@zuri8129]

"bosnian, serbian" bro is scared💀

[@peteiiseasy3217]

,💀

[@groovecs7614]

Well...That's us Balkans for you...But yeah, he is a Bosnian Serb (so a Serb from Bosnia).

[@Deadmeatsz]

People believe the proscene is legit. many such cases.

[@Mezha07]

you know he was so heartbroken when he missed those deagle shots on simple cause like he's most iconic and reliable sidearm ever since was the deagle he always has a deagle if he had the spare to buy it it was suprising for us fans to see him miss those shots but damn as someone like him to see it in his screen in that moment my man probably didn't sleep well after that but i'm glad they're looking strong now

[@powiUNDERSCORE]

will be cool to watch this video after Niko won his first major

[@fbiindia9661]

Missed a super important point- IGLing of aleksiB reduced his pressure

[@Chavanun555]

Niko is like the best 2nd place guy ever though

[@Hagebuddne983]

Devilwalk 1, Niko 0

[@lZubar]

Y'all had to jinx it

[@ketanisti9565]

Safe to say this didnt age well, lul

[@bluz9951]

imagine being monesy in that moment, being a young kid in a major absolutely FLICKING 2 of csgos legends and csgos best awper

[@yav1d]

Can't believe we will get a Cloud9 vs Faze in 2022

[@KattoVideo]

The rise of Niko and S1mple's teams it's just a consequense of the fall of Astralis, the greatest team of all time in CS GO till this day. Astralis proved that u just dont win tournaments by having 1 or 2 super stars, but by pulling out a super star all around team.

[@dopeyaf82]

Niko is like the Lionel Messi of Cs ... Worthy but he gets so close yet far away from victory like Messi in World cup!

[@seriousone44]

Deagle best, probably best deagle player I’ve watched and also great guy too. You are nit my friend you are my brother my friend Niko 🇧🇦❤️

[@Anonymous-qb5qf]

my brother really loves g2 and niko, and when he saw the g2vsnavi deagle shots and g2vsfaze inferno match, and faze is my fav team so when the 2 teams fought me and my brother got hyped of which of our fav teams would win, he was really sad when those 2 major matches happened so win for it g2, best of luck!,

[@Smokey2030]

And they didn't even make it to playoffs

[@christopherguerra9537]

When u legit have the greatest aim itw, not surprised he’s made top 20 players lists regularly😅

[@buggzy.]

Curse still on after losing major antwerp

[@HawkBird]

4th times the charm, Congratulations Niko!

[@opketan2876]

Literally waiting for this video for a while and finally is out thankyou to make this video absolutely amazing video.

[@kingbleak304]

I was very upset when i saw they got eliminated from the major it would have been legendary for NiKo to get his first major win and monesy to get one at 16

[@prodigyfailure2310]

i just want to say i Love you Niko!!!!1 Docice taj dan podicices taj Major trofej!!!!!

[@lemonade8258]

every one has their own timing i believe niko will win major. simple is like this one too before he won the major. so lets just wait for it

[@kenjikodai]

Given enough time I think he'll level up and carry G2 in his back

[@TheOairrr]

Forsure he is best aimer of csgo.

[@gnn9639]

I still cant describe the sadness I feel about Boston Major 😔

[@brewvova175]

It was a crazy ass major

[@whoami8247]

Lmao it was 13-0 at one time, and then ot😱🤣

[@malfunkshungo]

Niko and s1mple are friends which is good. Goats.

[@siloh9140]

The best rifler in csgo history

[@primalguardian4330]

*Get_right left the chat*

[@mentosz9609]

@@primalguardian4330 yep

[@lafonteinew2360]

NiKo ❤

[@Zooptastix]

Best team headed to 2023

[@EntrEsprit]

"second to the best player in the world" that's debatable

[@primalguardian4330]

Yea he's maybe 10 or 11

[@1upJeCK]

Monesy will get him there😁👍

[@dr.mengelle7907]

Just here to say, i started playin cs because of NiKo. Hope he will win this one coming.

[@vampirehunter8562]

🇧🇦 🇧🇦 🇧🇦 🇧🇦 🇧🇦 niko and his cousin are doomed to win that shity mayor one day,that titel is only reason why he is not pronounced best in the world,people even put zywoo in front of the Niko i mean really guys this man can do more with deagle that they can with awp

[@luxyj4728]

Can we get a video about how historical why NA is so bad at esports

[@wizardds4061]

he folds under pressure, and cannot control his emotion.

[@kgjdhkgd]

Trebamo tvoj spomenik u Brckom!

[@bluz9951]

NiKo in FaZe couldve been the best team we ever see but no one could ever get in the way of 2017-2019 astralis

[@m8mZ]

Or that one time with c9 lol

[@groovecs7614]

Little correction - he's a Bosnian Serb, so Bosnian-Serbian player. No hate just correcting :)

[@vsnag898]

We need a story about YEKINDAR

[@Chavanun555]

Well his team didnt even go last 8 teams in PGL 2022

[@thecocs2]

Niko still remain one of my favorite csgo player.

[@luisdenis2157]

The true "Pechofrio"

[@nikolakovacenjoyer4187]

No puedes ser del pateti y decir pecho frio a alguien mas xD