Today's News: LCS Summer Split

Hey Time-Killers!

Happy Memorial Day to everyone. I hope you all had wonderful barbecues and took the time to remember the troops who have fallen defending our freedom. As I recover from my food coma, I thought what better time than now to bring you guys today's news. Let's get into it.

 Post Date: 5/30/16

2016 LCS Summer Split - What Players to Look For:
As we approach the LCS Summer Split (which begins on Friday, June 3rd), the eSports world is already putting the spotlight on certain players and expecting great things from each. Aside from Faker, who is easily renowned as the best League of Legends player on the planet, ESPN has listed five other players they expect to emerge as major contributors for their respective teams' success. 

The first is Kang "Blank" Sun-gu from team SK telecom 1. Blank is the jungler on the same team as Faker and will be necessary for SK telecom 1. Blank has struggled in the past in high pressure situations, but evidently the team brought in a sports psychologist who has helped Blank maintain his composure in these types of situations. If a team manages to contain Faker for a match, or at least not let him run wild, then other players will need to step up. Hopefully Blank will be able to rise to the occasion and help SK telecom 1 bring home another cup.

The second is Darshan "Darshan" Upadhyaya of Counter Logic Gaming. Darshan is the top laner of the team and is apparently not the most creative when it comes to nicknames. His skills in teleporting and keeping up with side lane pressure have been invaluable to the rest of the team. If Counter Logic Gaming were to face SK telecom 1, Darshan would certainly have his hands full as the top laner for SK is well prepared and able to handle the style of play from Darshan.

The third is the AD Carry named Jian "Uzi" Zhi-hao from Royal Never Give Up. Uzi has been on a number of teams which either speaks to his character, or he has just had bad luck finding where he belongs. From the language of the ESPN article, it doesn't appear that Uzi has really found his home on this team and there are already questions if he can get along with the rest of his team. I'm no pro eSports player that's for sure, but what happens in ANY team's locker room is very important. Now I know there probably isn't a literal locker room for eSports players, but you can understand the metaphor. A lot of people overlook things like toxicity and negativity on a team if its masked with good statistics, but sometimes its not enough to bring out the best in yourself. A true team player brings out the best from the rest of his teammates and we'll see if that's the case with Uzi this time around.

The fourth is another AD carry, this time its Jeong "Raison" Soo-bin of Hong Kong eSports. Raison who is just returning back from his suspension for ELO boosting, will be looking to return with a vengeance. But the team is going through a lot right now and any team looking to make a championship run can't have this many headaches before the games even begin. Raison is supported by Olleh and the duo is recognized as the best in the region, but with the forced release of their mid-laner because of residential policies through Riot! and the heavy competition they'll face before the playoffs even start, I don't know if I see it in the cards for HK eSports.

The fifth and final player to watch is the support from G2 eSports - Alfonso "mithy" Rodriguez. Ah mithy, I know what its like to be last just because you're a support. I play Mercy as my main in Overwatch with my friends, so I totally understand the support pressure in tournaments of your caliber...right? Yeah, maybe not. Anyways, mithy is the head-baller play-caller on G2. He's the quarterback of the team and his decision making will need to be on point if G2 plans on making a run at the title. G2's decision to pickup mithy was definitely a choice that said to the community "this is our year", we'll see if they can back it up.

That's all I have for today guys, nothing too crazy pumping out on Memorial Day, maybe everyone had to eat that fourth cheeseburger like me and they're ready for an early night to sleep. Thanks Time-Killers, until next time!




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