NA LCS Spring 2015 Predictions

On January 09 2015 13:24 Ultrahazardous wrote:
You've got Gravity pretty highly rated for having big-stage-unproven players in Keane and Hauntzer. Saint and Cop are still good players, but they aren't world-beaters by any means.

At any rate:
1. Cloud 9.
C9 is still the best North American team, and by a pretty wide margin I think. Even when the meta shifts a little beyond their comfort zone, it seems they understand the pace of the game and the nature of the static elements (objective control, minion control, trading, etc.) far better than any other team.
2. Counter Logic Gaming.
I don't think CLG is the 2nd best team in NA, but I think they have fewer problems to work through. All their players are tested, they have no language barrier issues, and I think they are in prime position for an extended run of wins. I think which Link shows up is going to be a deciding factor in how well they perform.
3. Team Solo Mid
TSM has some flaws, but they seem to find a way to win every time I think they're sliding. Dyrus is so consistent, even if he doesn't have the carry potential of other top laners. I'm interested to see Santorin develop, and I think he and Turtle are going to be the keys. Turtle has been a huge disappointment lately, but he's still a good ADC when he's on his game.
4. Team Liquid
TL is a bit of a mystery to me. I think I am sort of wishfully thinking they'll be this high, but they have communication barriers with Piglet, and a rumoured lack of synergy between him and Xpecial. Add in an untested (in NA) mid in Fenix, and they're a hit or miss team. I think it's possible TL will be the only real competitor to C9, but it's also possible they'll barely scrape past relegations.
5. Winterfox
I actually feel like WTX is more of a "potential" team than CLG is. Pobelter and Altec looked like the next big things towards the end of last split, and an older head in Helios brings the calmness and experience. That said, I'm not sold on Avalon or Imagine, partially because they're untried and partially because I suspect family bias in Avalon's signing.
6. Dignitas
I think Dig and TL are similar teams. If the new boys settle well and the good version of the smart, game-controlling jungler shows up then they could be really strong. Alternately, if we get tilt Crumbzz (or Dominate) and non-producing Koreans, then Dig is in trouble.
7. Impulse
Impulse maybe should be higher than Dig, given that both XWX and Impact are playing for this team. Still, WizFujin was hardly an impressive ADC his last time out, and I will admit to being ignorant on Adrian. Too many question marks surrounding two talented players.
8. Coast
I'm not sure Coast had LCS-level talent at top and ADC. Jesiz is solid, if unspectacular, and Impaler and Sheep are good, but I don't see any "own the game" players on this roster, so I think they could have a tough time.
9. Gravity
Good enough players at many positions, but I just don't think they have the innate talent to finish above mid-table. I love Saint, and I think he doesn't get the credit he deserves, but the very "standard" appearance of this team makes me think they're not going to do real well.
10. Team 8
I admit I know little about Team 8, but I wasn't real impressed by their playoff performance, and even in challenger series I didn't think they played that well. Now I'm no scout or ace talent spotter so I could be way off, but I get a Velocity 2.0 feel here.

On January 09 2015 13:20 leagueurban wrote:

I think WFX will do very well this split, but still not able to dominate the strategy of C9.

On January 09 2015 13:56 botchedit wrote:


Oh, so you think Helios' brother is going to dominate top?

On January 09 2015 13:56 botchedit wrote:


Oh, so you think Helios' brother is going to dominate top?

On January 09 2015 13:45 Sharkyyy wrote:


I think you overestimate language barriers. At the national level, I can't see it posing much issue to be honest. I really don't see CLG being better than TL just because they are all English. CLG suffers from a lot of issues. Link is really hit or miss. I love Link too, I thought there was a good stint where he was a top 2 mid in NA, but that time seems to have passed. The "Rush Hour Bot" became pretty lackluster as last split progressed. Curse's bot lane shit on them in the majority, if not all, games they played. We don't see Liquid (Steve) saying things like "Expect the first few weeks to be tough, but I think by the end we will be the best!" He ranked TL best right now, which says a lot about scrims and overall team morale, synergy, and performance. Peter might be the best coach in NA right now, and I have heard Liquid say that every player is 100% dedicated to working their asses off and learning from him. I mean think about it. Quas, IWD, (we don't really know FeniX), Piglet, and Xpecial. That is a list of guys that could be team leaders of other squads based only off their work ethics. I hope what you say is wrong, or I will be very upset.

On January 09 2015 13:48 Slusher wrote:
head

TL>C9>TSM>EG>CLG>TiP>T8>Dig>Coast

On January 09 2015 14:17 SecretPancake wrote:


I don't see how you could put TL ahead of C9. C9 has been a top team since summer of season 3. The other top teams have all had changes that could easily work against them. Santorin did not really prove himself at IEM San Jose, while FeniX is a really big unknown at the moment, especially swapping from the top lane down to mid. Piglet and xPecial in the bottom lane has the potential to be strong, but they will have to work past their language barrier. C9 has remained with the same roster that has been very dominant within NA and proved themselves again at IEM San Jose. Maybe if TL's gamble works out in their favour we'll see TL taking first, but definitely not in the spring split.