JDM on CS2: "I want to dive in"

No North American teams may have made the stage at IEM Dallas, but Team USA gave the crowd something to pin their nationalistic pride on for the show match. Taking on Team Universe, the US lineup won the CS2 encounter on Dust2 with Josh "JDM" Marzano making his grand return to the big stage after spending several years away from the game. Following the win, Dust2.us' Jeffrey "Mnmzzz" Moore got the chance to catch up with JDM as they chatted about a potential full-time return for the 33-year-old, among other things.

Please note that the full interview can be found below on YouTube, while the transcript has some key snippets from their conversation.

After all these years away from CS, how does it feel to be back on the biggest stage in America in front of all the American fans?

I mean it's amazing, it's nostalgic. I haven't had this feeling, there's no better feeling than playing on LAN in front of a crowd cheering for you. The adrenaline just gives you, it's a lot of fun. And I'm playing with an ex-teammate too so that's dope.

We've been hearing a lot of news from you recently with CS2 right on the horizon there's been a lot of chatter, a lot of tweeting on your half, about a potential return of JDM to the server. What can you tell us about that?

I'm optimistic about it. I think it would be a lot of fun, I just have to put in more time. The last three years I haven't really played CS that much and it has been more off than on. The last couple of months I have been playing a little bit here and there but you know, I am busy with life. I want to dive in, it's just waiting for that release and getting after it.

Your last big team before making the move to VALORANT was Envy and unfortunately, they didn't necessarily have a super successful tenure before making changes. Is there any unfinished business in CS that prompted your return to the game?

Oh for sure. I know if I do put in the time, I know I can play at a higher level than what I used to play at. Even on Envy, I learned so much when I was on Envy. I got to play with karrigan for a bit and just learning from him, one of the great IGLs, you learn a lot from just that experience. So I take all that as just good experience and I'm just going to try and use that going into CS2.

If you do make the decision to come back when CS2 launches, is there one player in North America that you really want to play with? It can be someone from your prior days, someone new. Who is really exciting you in CS that you would love to play with?

Tough question man. Honestly, I'm open to anything. It would be sick to play with [EliGE]. I've always thought that he is one of the best players mechanically and everything but just in general I would love to just play with anyone that's at a high level and just get after it that way. I'm pretty open about it and if Tarik wants to come back too that would be one thing.