If Suning has a default trait of “early season collapse”, then SofM’s former team – LNG Esports is completely the opposite, to the point where League of Legends fans worldwide have even created a myth that if the LPL played in a knockout format from the start, LNG would undoubtedly finish in the top 4 every year.
The fact is, this team always performs exceptionally well at the beginning of each season. Even in their “worst” periods, LNG is still capable of dismantling any championship contenders, if these teams “unfortunately” meet them during the first 3 weeks of competition. If their lineup is a bit more stable, then a 4 to 5 match winning streak at the start of the season is quite normal for them.
In fact, during the LPL Summer 2021, LNG Esports’ performance improved to an astonishing level, as they achieved a streak of 7 consecutive wins, naturally being considered a strong candidate for the top 4 race. During this 7-match winning streak, they defeated teams like IG, RNG, FPX, and JDG – a testament to how formidable this team’s “early season buff” truly is.
However, ultimately, everything seems to have returned to its original trajectory, as after the first 3 weeks, LNG once again faced a shutdown, losing to Rare Atom in the fourth week of competition. And the team’s soaring performance continues to be questioned as they lost again to Ultra Prime in their recent match.
Two consecutive losses seem to have brought Tarzan and his teammates back to earth. While the defeat against RA can be understood, as this opponent is also performing at a very high level, losing to a bottom-tier team like UP truly raises questions about the inherent instability that has always been LNG’s weakness.
Nevertheless, with a relatively solid lineup, LNG is still expected to be a formidable contender for the spot at the 2021 World Championship. If they cannot improve their performance compared to the past, then at most, the legendary story of the “Early Season Super Team” will simply add another new chapter.
