The Trouble with Hai

Is it Time for Cloud9's Mid to Move On?

Photo courtesy of Riot Esports

by Patrick Garren

Since the acquisition of Zachary “Sneaky” Scuderi from Quantic Gaming on May 23rd 2013, Cloud9 have had the exact same roster. They didn't actually "acquire" Sneaky from Quantic either - they WERE Quantic. Sponsorship issues led to their reformation as Cloud9. Founder and Team Captain, mid-lander Hai “Hai” Lam, chose the name Cloud9 because he believed that professional gaming should be about being happy. But Cloud 9 is the last place they were at the beginning of the 2015 Spring Split, when they saw themselves in a spot they hadn't seen since they made it into the LCS: last place. Read more...

Kings of the Rift : TSM Take the NA LCS Spring Split Championship 

Photo courtesy of Riot Esports 

 TSM and Cloud 9 get Ready to Rumble in the NA LCS Spring Split Finals!

by Jodi McClure

Last year when Cloud 9 met TSM in the LCS Finals, Meteos and his highly-skilled band 3-0'd them. Granted, it was a Lustboyless TSM with Odd One and Xpecial still in the mix, and the meta was completely different, but credit where credit is due. Cloud 9 are not a push over team by any stroke of the imagination, and even though TSM have had a superlative split, there's zero guarantees they'll be holding that big check at the end. Both teams have performed amazingly well. Cloud 9 had a slower start then TSM but slammed home a stronger finish. Turtle has been all flashy kills while Sneaky is the focused, mechanical giant. TSM excels at rotations and taking down turrets while Cloud 9 likes their objectives. It's all too beautifully even. If I were to stick my neck out and pick a winner of this Best of Five series, I wouldn't name a team, I'd name a color. A color shared by both Cloud 9's shirts and TSM's long sleeve button-downs. It's Blue - the color of convenience, and whoever starts this series on the Blue side of the map will ultimately win the trophy. I'll be cheering for my long-time favs, TSM, but I suspect we're going to see the series go five games, and whoever wins will definitely deserve it! 

Edward Gaming vs Invictus Gaming

LPL Playoffs Review 

The world’s uncontested No.1 team took on the surprisingly well-performing Invictus Gaming. With Pawn back in the starting line-up, was Invictus Gaming a threat for EDG’s mission to get to MSI? How did Rookie perform against Pawn? What about Clearlove and Kakao? Let’s have a look at the games played in this series! Read more...

by Michael "Tribble" Godani

LGD Gaming Takes Out the Pride of China

LGD Gaming Takes Out the Pride of China

The Oscars have been assigned and now it’s time for the real deal. OMG, the Chinese powerhouse, is taking on LGD Gaming, who are on a mission to MSI. Was OMG really throwing games intentionally as their coach stated, or was this a cover up for their sloppy performances? LGD’s story is clear, they trolled their way into the 6th seed to avoid EDG. Well, for both teams, it was time to perform and take it onto the rift! Read more...