LG UltraGear™ OLED Gaming Monitors “Set the New Standard For Competitive Play”

Esports have taken off in recent years, and with that comes new teams, new sponsorships and new gear. CGMagazine was recently given the opportunity to speak with Raptors Uprising GC’s starting power forward, Rafel “Crush” Davis, who plays in the NBA 2K League. This 26-year-old was drafted third overall in 2020 and has been with Raptors Uprising GC since December of 2023.

Talking with Davis, we learned a lot about what goes into being a professional esports player, from practice and commitment all the way down to their gear. Not surprisingly, Raptors Uprising GC has partnered with LG as their monitor brand of choice, using the LG 27” UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor for their practices and competitions. We dug into why that is and what makes the LG UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitors good enough for esports players at such a competitive level.

To start, can you tell us what it’s like to be part of Raptors Uprising GC? How did you get involved with the team, and was becoming a pro gamer something you had always aspired to do?

Crush: Being a part of Raptors Uprising GC has been an amazing experience, to say the least. Moving to a new country that I’ve never been to while being a part of the best organization in the 2K League is all a player could ask for. I was interested in getting involved with the team when I heard about the coaching and roster changes heading into the new season.

I dove into competitive play at an early age but never took it seriously. I found myself playing NBA 2K late at night with my friends after work and school, and that turned into playing tournaments and making a profit. I later realized that playing in the NBA 2K League could be a real possibility and knowing I could make this a career and be able to provide for my family was all I needed to pursue it. I was then drafted third overall in the 2020 Draft in New York.

How important is the gear you use for training and competing, and are there any specific pieces of equipment you can’t live without?

Crush: As a professional esports veteran who’s been around technology almost every day of my life for the past five years, I am well aware that having the right technology is essential when it comes to competing against the best gamers in the world. As a competitor, you try to find ways to gain a competitive advantage over your opponent — and I believe that in esports, it starts with the right technology.

Luckily, Raptors Uprising GC has a partnership with LG and its LG UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitors lineup. My teammates and I use the LG 27” UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor for everyday practice and official games. These monitors set the new standard for competitive play as the world’s first 240Hz OLED Gaming Monitor with 0.03 millisecond (ms) (GtG) response time.

“My teammates and I use the LG 27” UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor for everyday practice and official games.”

What should aspiring pro gamers consider when choosing a gaming monitor?

Crush: From a professional’s perspective, response times and refresh rates can really determine how much you can maximize your game. The LG 27” UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor has a 240Hz refresh rate, allowing gamers to see the next frame quicker, giving them an edge in the competition.

With a 0.03ms (Gray to Gray) response time, inverse ghosting is reduced to help see objects clearly, so gamers can enjoy the game with smoother movement and visual fluidity. It also features a 1,500,000:1 high contrast ratio, so gamers can experience rich colours and visuals intended by the creators, precisely. When it comes to building the perfect gaming monitor, LG knows what they are doing.

What key benefits do the 2024 LG UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitors offer gamers, and how do these monitors enhance the experience for you as well as your Raptors Uprising GC teammates?

Crush: The lineup was designed with both gamers and esports athletes in mind. It delivers a deeply satisfying visual and audio performance, enhancing the gaming experience with gamer-centric designs. As for myself and the rest of Raptors Uprising GC, it has changed our thought process about what an ideal competitive monitor actually is while also resulting in statistical success throughout our team’s season. Not only do the features sound impressive, but they also consistently deliver exceptional performance, which is critical for competitive play.

Are there features that gamers might overlook but make a huge difference when choosing a gaming monitor? What features does the LG 27” UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor offer that you might not have considered before?

Crush: The LG 27” UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor features a slim bezel display for an immersive experience and supports Nano IPS technology for high-fidelity colour that provides realistic and vivid visuals. This monitor features NVIDIA® G-SYNC® compatibility for enhanced rendering while reducing stuttering and tearing. Last but not least, one of my favourite dark horse features is the Anti-Glare and Low Reflection Technology to reduce any distractions while gaming. Not every gamer has a professional setup at home, so the Anti-Glare and Low Reflection Technology are essential for gamers to play anywhere they can find space in their home.

Did you know much about how monitors could impact your gaming performance before you started playing professionally with Raptors Uprising? Have you noticed any direct performance improvements related to using the LG 27” UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor?

Crush: Before I started playing professionally, I used to play competitive games on a regular TV that had some terrible specs. It wasn’t until I started exploring other options that I discovered gaming monitors could significantly optimize my performance. From there, I knew they would be essential. The first day I stepped foot into our gaming facility and played on the LG 27” UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor, I immediately noticed a difference when it came to the frames of the game and response time. Every movement was crisp, smooth and on time.

Outside of natural performance, I was then able to customize my setup with the advanced settings feature, adjusting things like contrast, brightness, saturation and more, making it personally ideal for my eyes and everyday use.

“The first day I stepped foot into our gaming facility and played on the LG 27” UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor, I immediately noticed a difference when it came to the frames of the game and response time.”

We’ve spoken with LG in the past to discuss its leadership in OLED technology . From a pro gamer’s perspective, how has the incorporation of this innovative technology into its 2024 monitor lineup transformed the gaming experience?

Crush: Being a professional gamer is all about making timely plays when it matters. The incorporation of the self-lit OLED pixel technology provides an immersive gaming experience with rich colour expression, infinite contrast, sharp images and fast response times. Not only can you react faster than your opponent, but you get to actually enjoy the game from a visual perspective, which allows me to be more engaged when practicing long hours throughout the day.

As someone who works directly with LG, how would you describe their commitment to advanced gaming and technology?

Crush: I believe their commitment to building a monitor directly relates to gaming technology, product quality, and user experience is proof in the pudding. It’s evident in the thoughtful, gamer-centric design of the LG UltraGear monitor lineup. With the addition of OLED technology, it’s an absolute game changer. They deliver everything that you need to enhance your gaming experience in every aspect. You can’t ask for anything better than that.

Finally, do you have any advice for aspiring pro gamers, whether it’s regarding selecting the right gear or getting started?

Crush: When it comes to selecting the right gear, make sure you visit LG.ca and check out their UltraGear monitor lineup. This is coming from someone who plays video games for a living and who has used the 2024 lineup for eight months straight — I can tell you it’s some of the best equipment on the market right now. You won’t regret it.

For aspiring pro gamers, depending on what game you are pursuing, I would suggest watching and learning from the best players in that community to better understand the competitive side of things. Then search for a group of people who have the same mindset and goals as you. After that, it’s nothing but putting effective and purposeful time into your craft while also leaning into the tournament scene to really understand what parts of your game you need to work on — as well as where you rank with the best players in the world.

To learn more about the LG 27” UltraGear OLED Gaming Monitor, head over to LG.ca and pick yours up for $1299.99 CAD now. To learn more about Rafel “Crush” Davis and Raptor’s Uprising GC, check out their official website.