If we were to name a team with the most inconsistent and puzzling performance in the LPL Summer 2021, it wouldn’t be Suning or Royal Never Give Up, but rather Top Esports – a team boasting exceptionally talented players and undoubtedly a top contender for the championship. However, in response to fans’ expectations, TES currently sits at 9th place in the standings, with 8 wins and 6 losses, particularly notable for their unacceptable defeats against a struggling Invictus Gaming and more recently, a Ultra Prime team that has already given up hope for the playoffs.
Fans of TES might overlook their defeat against a dominant FunPlus Phoenix or an IG team that, with TheShy and Rookie having a good day, could crush top teams, but losing to a UP team that has said goodbye to this season is simply intolerable, especially when TES lost after leading 1-0 in the BO3 series.
On forums, the TES fan community expressed their outrage as they witnessed their team lose a match that they could have easily won to solidify their position in the standings. Many comments targeted names like Karsa, JackeyLove, 369, and even the “golden spine” knight, who made numerous mistakes in game 3.
However, more than just criticizing the players, most fans believe that TES does not deserve to appear in the playoffs and should even disband to allow players, especially knight, to find better opportunities, as the “golden spine” has had to carry the team for too long. Additionally, some pointed to TES’s subjective and dismissive attitude toward opponents as a contributing factor to their defeat today.
It is clear that fans’ expectations for TES have plummeted, and the players themselves may still be struggling to find the right path. Thus, even if they manage to reach the playoffs, TES is likely to repeat the cycle of returning empty-handed when facing the strongest names in the LPL like RNG or FPX, SN.