The recent drama involving T1, Gumayusi, Smash and a series of questionable decisions by coaching staff during the LCK 2025 Cup And the regular season of the 2025 has aroused the entire Esport community. But more than a simple insult of the fans, this saga has exposed a deeper truth: no matter how similar they may seem on the surface, “League of Legends”Or perhaps even exports in general, they can never operate as traditional sports. T1 is the case with the perfect study of these limits.
Roster rotations: an self -destructive strategy in Esports
Unlike sports such as football or basketball, in which the teams have large lists and rotate players based on long -term strategies, “League of Legends” (Often indicated as “league”) is a game that thrives on the synergy at the micro level and on the decision -making process in two seconds. A single incorrect or bad communication, in particular between a team of 5, can cost the entire game. As a result, forcing changes in rotations in the middle of the series It is not strategic, but rather destructive and useless.
Furthermore, the fact that a support player must compete with two different advertisements in the same game, each with distinct playstyles, may seem manageable, but professional correspondences They are not classified as a soloist. If a team does not work as a single united unit, the opponent can easily take advantage of any disconnections and guarantee victory.
On the other hand, Esports players, in particular those in high -profile teams such as T1, face direct and not filtered pressure by fans, something that is rarely experienced by athletes in traditional sports. There is no public relations team to act as a bearing, and often players are forced to confront the criticisms frontally, whether he likes or not.
T1 has even intensified the pressure through features such as pops and subscription programs that offer fans greater access to players. Unfortunately, this also gave anti-fans a platform, especially those who targeted Gumayusi.
The decision to exchange players in the final game against Fox did not improve the situation. It seemed more like a bet from the technical staff: if they had won, everything would be fine. But they lost and the result was both Gumayusi and Smash becoming the targets of widespread controversies.
Coaching staff: power without responsibility
In traditional sports, coaches can be criticized and even fired when their strategies fail and players very often can make their calls and statements. In exports, however, players are often forced to follow orders regardless of how imperfect the call can be. However, when things become disordered, They are the players instead of the coach who faces the recourse.
The coach Kkoma, despite being one of the most decorated figures in Lol history, is not infallible, since in the past he had made several mistakes and seems to continue such a strip. Yet many hesitate to criticize him because of his inheritance with Faker and the success of T1. In the meantime, the wider coaching staff of T1 continues to make questionable choices without offering a clear direction.
If their next move is positive or negative, T1 will soon have to find a solution. But among the fans, hopes in an MSI aspect are decreasing. For now, the most realistic goal could be to guarantee a place among the first 4 teams of Mondi (CKTG)A target that, given the current form of T1, seems more achievable.
In fact, Faker himself has also mentioned various defects that constantly damage the league scene, making him unable to answer the question “Can the League survive the test of time?” It seems that solving the problems mentioned by Faker and ongoing problems within T1 are fundamental for exports to continue its step, although combined traditional sports seems to be unable.
