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Uhh Justin Eldridge was really really Fucking good in his heyday, I don’t think that’s an apt comparison.
he also is really really clueless, which is why it is an apt comparison
Justin was definitely talented (and still is), but he didn’t feel like a logical replacement for the outgoing members. Remember when Alien made Pops & Wenning am to replace the older pros who left/ got kicked off? Or how they gave Ave and Dill boards after 23 Skateboards dissolved? That felt right to me, since their whole style + their technically progressive skill level on their boards felt like a natural trajectory. Keep in mind that Justin replaced guys like Paulo, Gabriel, Ben, Keenan and Stevie, and a valley dude frat bro didn’t jive with the feel regardless of how good that sponsor tape was. I felt the same way about Biebel replacing guys like Rudy, Guy, Tim & Tony, and his bro’d out demeanor/ South Pole jeans/ limited low impact skateboard ability actually fit Expedition (where he was plucked from). Vincent felt right on Chocolate, just like Malto and CK felt right on Girl, so Crail still acknowledges and follows the established rule of thumb, but BB/ JE somehow slipped through the door as it was being held open for someone else.
TL;DR- Girl was always intended to be the premier Crail team with the top tier talent, and Biebel wasn’t that; Chocolate was always intended to be the Crail team where style took precedent over technical ability, and Justin wasn’t that either. Neither of them felt like logical picks to replace the established feel that the former riders created.