Once a member of T1, no one expected Teddy to be replaced by a young talent from VCS
But at this moment, that is the reality as Teddy has been pushed down to DRX Challengers to make way for LazyFeel. Notably, the former T1 star is one of the most experienced players on the current DRX roster and is considered a cornerstone of the “Blue Dragon”‘s strategy this season. Compared to Rich (who is the same age), Teddy’s background from T1 is clearly more impressive. However, after Teddy was moved to Challengers, he has been pointed out by teammates and fans alike, either directly or indirectly, for his long-standing issues.
Accordingly, it seems everyone has noticed that Teddy’s issue lies in his playstyle. The former T1 star is known since his days at Jin Air Greenwings for his late-game focused, slow-paced gameplay, with his signature champion being a strong late-game hyper carry, Ezreal. However, it is clear that dragging games out for too long with a slow playstyle has become “outdated”. Especially now, when the meta is constantly shifting toward more diverse AD carries, Teddy seems to be increasingly “sidelined.”
Moreover, having to build a team composition that fits Teddy’s playstyle also puts the DRX players in a reactive position. If the former T1 star can carry the team late game, everything would be fine. But most of the time, it’s the opposite. Even top teams, when they do use Ezreal, opt for a strong early-game composition, and the player of this champion must be adaptable, supported by teammates as well as being able to farm alone.
Indeed, LCK media has pointed out that DRX during the LCK Cup (when Teddy was ill) played much sharper and more engaging. No one denies Teddy’s experience or skill, but his slow playstyle that stretches games as long as possible is no longer suitable in the current era – where unpredictability and the pace of the game can vary greatly.
Teddy at T1 Also Faced a Similar Situation
If anyone finds Teddy’s current situation familiar, this is also the main reason that caused him to lose his position to Gumayusi. It can be said that Teddy’s strengths (skill, experience) are only lacking in terms of time played in the LCK compared to Gumayusi. However, when it comes to adaptability to various playstyles, Teddy cannot match his younger counterpart.
And perhaps, if Teddy does not change to adapt, his career will be in a state of alarm, especially when talented young players like him or even better in the AD Carry position have never been lacking in the LCK.