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Will TSM repeat History?


Is Team SoloMid setting themselves up to repeat history? Now we are not talking in the sense of once again winning the NA LCS Summer Split. We are looking at the bigger picture that every team strives for and that goal is being competitive at Worlds. Last year we seen Team Solomid adopt the Korean system when it came to practice and scrims. The players were rarely streaming and were all focused on being a successful team on the world stage. This produced amazing domestic results for Team Solomid as they finished 17-1 in the Summer Split. 

The biggest downfall TSM had throughout the split is that they were never really challenged by the other NA teams. Some games could be close but overall none of the other teams were quite on the level TSM was. Once the team made it to the World Championship in 2016 their weaknesses were exploited like they hadn’t been against teams from their region. TSM from the start looked impressive when Svenskeren was allowed to play Lee Sin, a champion he is very comfortable on. Once teams began to adapt and ban the champion against TSM and take away other comfort champs they became uncoordinated. They did not look like the same team that  dominated NA LCS. 

RNG picked Aurelian Sol against TSM in the deciding match to get out of groups and they were toppled. When it comes down to it, TSM have historically struggled to adapting to uncomfortable circumstances. This split the team has been outspoken about their desire to learn different compositions in order to prepare themselves for worlds. There has been the notable Bjergsen Galio games as proof of that. Yet one of the biggest issues with the team is the fact that they are taking Lee Sin any time they can pick it. Svenskeren has been seen as the weakest link of  the team this year when he is not on Lee Sin.  

This past week in their victory over Echo Fox Svenskeren stated he wished teams would ban Lee Sin against him so he can get practice on other champions. That in itself is a huge problem. If Team Solomid’s objective is to be able to play different compositions and play styles to prepare for Worlds, then they have to learn to be dominate without Lee Sin. Yes TSM was able to defeat Echo Fox with Svenskeren on Gragas, but how are they going to fare against teams like SKT, G2 and the Flashwolves at Worlds. Not to mention North America does not have a Pool 1 seed this year so this world championship is already an uphill battle for the region. The TSM organization needs to find a way for their players to be successful on champions and play styles they are not comfortable with if they are going to have any shot being competitive at Worlds.

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