A player from HLE is considered to have had the most disappointing performance against T1
The showdown between T1 and HLE can be said to be one of the most anticipated matches, perhaps only behind the “Super Classic” encounters between T1 and Gen.G. However, since HLE’s defeat against Gen.G in a dramatic comeback at the Road to MSI, they have lost the form that propelled them to the LCK Summer Championship last year and the First Stand this year. Recently, HLE continued to be no match for T1, being defeated in just 2 games. Among the 5 members of HLE, it seems Peanut is the player who must feel the most disappointed.
In reality, many opinions argue that Zeka is the one who played the worst for HLE, especially after his unfortunate slide into the middle of T1’s players and being quickly taken down during HLE’s push in the Bottom Lane. However, prior to that, Peanut had already lost control in the Jungle, gradually allowing T1 to take the buffs. Moreover, Peanut’s mistake at the Dragon pit “helped” T1 gain a complete advantage, leading by as much as 7k gold. If Zeus and Viper hadn’t put in the effort, HLE might have given up from that moment.
Furthermore, in the first game, Peanut was unable to secure any buffs for HLE. Even when he could have taken the last Void Abyss, he was robbed by Gumayusi with an accurate W from Jhin.
The Loss to T1 Reveals Many Issues for HLE
This was not just a loss; many feel that the dominant HLE from last year’s LCK Summer has yet to return. If the LCK Cup was a time when Gen.G was still unstable with new personnel while T1 was “self-destructing,” now it is HLE that has truly exposed its instability. There have even been numerous opinions suggesting that HLE only managed to defeat Gen.G and T1 in the LCK Cup because, at that time, both teams had more issues.
Moreover, at crucial moments, HLE’s players seemed unsure of whom to look to for a morale boost. This may be the biggest difference between them and Gen.G and T1, and arguably, the most critical issue that could lead HLE to spiral even further for the remainder of this season.