No one expected that a superstar marksman who once played with immense stability and secured a spot in T1’s lineup during LCK Spring 2021 would lose his position to young shooter Gumayusi throughout the Summer split. Teddy, once regarded as one of the top marksmen in the world, went through a very bleak period on the bench of T1. The opportunity only came when T1’s coaching staff gave Teddy a chance to return, replacing Gumayusi – the player who had mostly played for T1 during the group stage but seemed unprepared for the intense knock-out rounds.
Not disappointing expectations, Teddy made a sweet comeback and proved why he was the right choice by helping T1 crush Liiv SANDBOX with a score of 3-0. In the Semifinals against Gen G, Teddy once again demonstrated why he deserves to be among the best marksmen in the world with an incredibly convincing performance. Maintaining stable form throughout 4 games, he helped T1 defeat Gen G to boldly advance to the Finals against DWG KIA.
The question arises: Was T1 lucky when throughout the early group stage, Teddy seemed to lose his position to Gumayusi, but when entering the playoffs, this guy showcased a more stable performance than anyone else, ultimately saving the entire T1 team?
If we have watched T1 play for a long time, especially Teddy, we can see he was expected to follow in the footsteps of T1’s legendary marksman, Bang. It seems that in the eyes of fans, Teddy is the closest to or might even surpass Bang in the future. Therefore, it can be said that Teddy’s skill level and personal abilities are beyond debate, “there is only more, not less.”
So what is the root cause? The answer may stem from the motivation to compete. Teddy joined T1 at the end of 2018 when T1 was still known as SK Telecom T1. This 1998-born player has experienced many ups and downs while wearing the jersey of a team that has won the World Championship three times. However, perhaps the constant restructuring with younger new elements joining the main roster has caused T1 to lose the connection and stability it once had.
For example, there was a time when Faker lost his official playing spot and rumors about leaving the team surrounded his career. Such instability both within and outside the team somewhat affected Teddy’s competitive spirit. But perhaps it was also the pressure he had to endure and witnessing the progress of young player Gumayusi that encouraged and “unlocked” Teddy.
The matches in the playoffs against Liiv SANDBOX and Gen.G were a testament to the return of the forgotten Marksman. Even when facing a Ruler in peak form, Teddy still showed his stability throughout the entire Bo5 series, and it can even be said that Teddy performed better and better as the final rounds approached.
Not only that, Teddy’s timely return has greatly assisted T1 in this year’s Summer playoff matches. The many years of high-level experience Teddy has, along with Faker, will be a great benefit to a still young team with players who lack experience in “big matches” like Oner, or filling in his position like Gumayusi.
Moreover, the “big brother” like Teddy will be a solid support for the younger teammates to perform steadily. Especially in Bo5 matches, it not only requires personal skill but also demands composure, stability, and competitive experience. Teddy is the most suitable in this regard compared to young player Gumayusi. For that reason, the decision of T1’s coaching staff to let Teddy play to share the burden with the Demon King was indeed the right choice.
If we talk about experience but overlook the skill factor, it would indeed be a misstep regarding Teddy. A player not only possessing a wide and diverse champion pool but also having a playstyle that blends calmness with aggression. For example, in the match against Gen.G, in all four games, Teddy, thanks to his proficient skills with many champions, managed to play excellently with Varus, Ashe, Jinx, and even Ezreal. Additionally, Teddy’s aggressive playstyle was evident when he solo-killed Prince’s Kalista, setting the stage for T1’s easy game in the bot lane against Liiv SANDBOX.
With the current high level of performance, it will not be surprising if Teddy continues to be selected in the final round of this season for T1. The LCK Finals against DWG KIA is seen as the most important, as it will determine the success or failure of the entire season. If Teddy continues to showcase his “doping style” of play, meaning he gets better with each match, then Damwon should indeed pay attention and contain the ticking time bomb named “Teddy” before it’s too late. Hopefully, we will continue to witness Teddy’s top-notch performances and those of the entire T1 team in the LCK Summer Finals 2021.