Clutch Gaming come into the summer split looking to relieve some baggage from the 2019 spring split. Despite their rather unimpressive record of 5-13, Clutch took victory against playoff contenders, including the spring split finalists: TSM. Furthermore, they swept the playoff bound Echo Fox with relative ease. It seemed that CG couldn’t find their footing later in the split and floundered out. It’s clear some things weren’t clicking for the team hailing from Houston. However, this Clutch team has the talent to excel and Clutch fans should be optimistic for the summer split.
Roster Breakdown
Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon: 2.2 K/D/A | KP: 60% | Most Played Champion: Rumble
Huni is known for being a hyper aggressive, free wheeling top laner who gets the job done, matching his fun loving personality and “Shaq like joy” (see: “7 Days Out” on Netflix) for the game. This results in either great K/D/A’s where he carries or completely feeding, gifting his opposing laner an open lane. Clutch’s success is dependent upon his performances.
Huni showed some great performances during the spring split, such as his 5/0/2 game with Cassiopeia against the Golden Guardians in week 5. Furthermore, Huni began playing with a more team-oriented style, allowing his team to find success across the rift. If Huni continued to improve in the off-season, while solidifying his selfless play style, Clutch will find success in the summer split.
Nam “Lira” Tae-yoo: 2.69 K/D/A | KP: 72.5% | Most Played Champion: Lee Sin
Similar to Huni, Clutch’s success is heavily dependent upon great play from Lira. In addition, Lira plays off-meta picks such as the Nocturne and Camille incredibly well, but can also play meta champions like Jarvin IV with great skill. Lira is one of the most proactive junglers in the LCS and is in the top 10 for kill participation in the LCS.
If CG can build their team around Lira’s proactive play style, it’s clear that Clutch can put together more wins in the upcoming season. Lira is an incredibly underrated piece of Clutch’s puzzle toward success, watch for his great ganks.
Tanner “Damonte” Damonte: 3.61 K/D/A | KP: 62.9% | Most Played Champion: Lissandra
While he may not be a world champion like Piglet, Damonte is a monster in the midlane. Not only does he have the highest K/D/A on Clutch, but he is top 10 in creeps per minute, number three in creeps @10 minutes and number one in creeps @20 minutes. All in all, Damonte is his team’s money maker. Both because he is now seemingly the face of Clutch Gaming, but also because his constant farming allows him to take leads in the midlane that allow him to snowball his team to victory.
Clutch fans can look forward to Damonte being a rock in the midlane. Damonte proved that he can play with arguably the best midlaner in the LCS, Søren “Bjergsen” Bjerg, with his incredible 6/0/3 Akali game in week 1 of the spring split. Furthermore, his incredible 5/0/5 performance against Echo Fox with a 1000 gold bounty on his head proves that he is one of the most underrated midlaners in the LCS.
Cody “Cody Sun” Sun | 1.5 K/D/A | KP: 70.8% | Most Played Champion: Xayah
Cody Sun only played one weekend during the 2019 spring split, which explains his relatively low K/D/A. However, he is no rookie to the rift. During the 2018 summer split, Cody Sun had the third best K/D/A in the league, ranked fifth in damage, and had the second highest gold per minute.
According to Damonte in a recent interview with Travis Gafford, Cody will be starting over former SKT world champion, Chae “Piglet” Gwang-jin. While Piglet is a legend in his own right, it’s clear that Clutch is making moves for their future success and grooming Cody Sun to be a key member for their success.
Philippe “Vulcan” Laflamme | 2.43 K/D/A | KP: 75.8% | Most Played Champion: Alistar
Vulcan is the only remaining member from Clutch’s original 2018 roster returning to the rift for the 2019 summer split. Like Lira, he plays both off-meta and meta picks incredibly well. It’s safe to say that he was not part of CG’s problem in the 2019 spring split.
Vulcan had the highest kill participation for any support player in the LCS, including spring split MVP, Jo “CoreJJ” Yong-in. Vulcan is one of the best supports in the LCS. Cody Sun and Vulcan could be one of the most threatening bottom lanes in the LCS and should be feared in the upcoming split.
Prediction: 10-8
Closing thoughts
Don’t let last split fool you, Clutch Gaming has the tools necessary for success this summer. While it’s early to predict who will be in the playoffs, it should be unsurprising if this Clutch team can take a win against TSM or C9. Clutch Gaming fans certainly have a lot to be excited for in the upcoming summer split.
Player Photos from lol.gamepedia
Featured Image Courtesy of LoL Esports
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