Lee “Faker” Sang-hyeok will be back on the Worlds stage.
That’s what the headline will read, that’s what people will care about. Soon to make his sixth appearance, the greatest of all-time continues to add another team accolade to his incredible resume. Yet T1’s return to the grandest stage of them all hasn’t been about the man in the mid lane. Rather, it has been the efforts of his team.
In Bill Simmons’ Book of Basketball, he touched on the concept of Michael Jordan’s “Four Peaks.” The first peak being ’89-’90, the second being spring of ’93, the third being the winter of ’96 and finally spring ’98. One of the key components in Michael Jordan’s legacy was how he would continue to rebuild himself, continue to defy expectations of what was possible with his game. He wasn’t just really good at basketball, he was really good at aging with the game.
It feels like Faker is searching for his third peak. More importantly, his team will need him to return to form if they want to contend for the Summoner’s Cup.
Could he find his third peak this year?
Korean League of Legends used to have this perfect window of time to grab the attention of League of Legends fans: the winter season.
Following their success at Worlds — which saw Faker make his case for why he was the best in the World, he solidified said status just a few months later. SK Telecom wouldn’t drop a single game and it wasn’t a question as to who was the man leading the charge. It was such a complete line-up.
It would feel like the last time Faker was allowed to play the mid-lane the way he wanted. He wouldn’t be on the receiving end of constant pressure. He could solo-kill Bae “dade” Eo-jin and be able to not be on the constant fear of return pressure.
Champions 2014 Winter was a great note to end on for the historic original SKT line-up. For Faker, it helped established his foundation.
It’s tough to pick a moment during SK Telecom T1’s incredible 2015-2017 run where Faker “peaked.” The team would lose in the finals of 2017 in a contested three games with the final moment being Faker getting caught out.
It has to be 2016 Worlds right?
Personally, I love the story of Champions 2015 Summer — where SKT tightened their team, allowing for Faker to really showcase his strengths. Failing to make Worlds — in what was arguably one of the most entertaining years of Korean League of Legends in terms of storylines in 2014– felt like a massive blow to his status as the best in the world. Being able to bounce back in a way that may never be duplicated just adds to his lore.
Teams were playing heavily around Faker — attempting to restrain him. It was similar to the American football strategy of loading the box against an incredible running back — the camp around Faker’s mid-lane was heavy. It would be used by EDG to capture their MSI 2015 title. Yet Faker would still perform well given the circumstances.
Statistically, it was one of the best representations of Faker.
He would lead the league among mid-laners in gold difference at 10 minutes (182), finish second in the league in damage per minute while averaging the lowest percentage of his respective team’s economy. He would forgo late game resources yet still have this incredible impact on the game.
And he was doing this while splitting time with Lee “Easyhoon” Ji-hoon because of how good Easyhoon was on certain control mages. 2015 World felt more like the Jang “MaRin” Gyeong-hwan show and Faker destroying everyone with Ryze but Champions was easily some of the best Faker we ever witnessed.
The gauntlet that SK Telecom would run through to achieve immortality speaks for itself: Royal Never Give Up, ROX Tigers, Samsung Galaxy. Faker would have a more diverse champion pool but would still have a prominent impact on the game. A 3-3 record on Orianna isn’t impressive but his usage of every single ability in her kit was.
This hasn’t been the best year for Faker. It has been a while since Faker has truly been in “best in the world” contention. His most recent accolade for individual achievement has been his third team All-Pro honors in 2020 spring. He hasn’t been top five in the Season MVP standings since 2017 spring.
For a long period of time, he was able to fight off the young Korean mid-laners that would fight for his throne as the best. When they would eventually depart for the bigger paycheck in China, he would be able to recover and would fight against new competition.
It is why it was somewhat understandable that T1 tested the waters with Lee “Clozer” Ju-hyeon. Faker stans – divert your eyes from the next part because Clozer was pretty good.
| Clozer | Faker | |
| KDA | 3.7 | 5.7 |
| KP% | 63.50% | 68.80% |
| DTH% | 18% | 18% |
| GD@10 | 134 | 94 |
| XPD@10 | 186 | 58 |
| CS%P15 | 26.20% | 22.40% |
| DPM | 472 | 464 |
| DMG% | 25.40% | 25.20% |
| GOLD% | 23.30% | 22% |
| Clozer | Faker | |
| KDA | 7.2 | 10.2 |
| KP% | 64% | 69.80% |
| DTH% | 16.80% | 20.70% |
| GD@10 | 223 | 167 |
| XPD@10 | 239 | 87 |
| CS%P15 | 26.40% | 21.90% |
| DPM | 509 | 445 |
| DMG% | 24.60% | 22.50% |
| GOLD% | 23.40% | 21.30% |
Both provide a different set of skills and both offered something unique to T1 in the mid lane. Unfortunately for Clozer, he was expected to replace Faker. Even when securing his spot as the one and only mid-laner starter in the summer, Faker didn’t necessarily see improvement with an improved line-up.
| Faker | |
| KDA | 3.5 |
| KP% | 61.40% |
| DTH% | 20% |
| GD@10 | 143 |
| XPD@10 | 24 |
| CS%P15 | 24.20% |
| DPM | 391 |
| DMG% | 21.70% |
| GOLD% | 23% |
| Faker | |
| KDA | 7.4 |
| KP% | 63.40% |
| DTH% | 17.90% |
| GD@10 | 192 |
| XPD@10 | 57 |
| CS%P15 | 24.80% |
| DPM | 394 |
| DMG% | 20.50% |
| GOLD% | 22.70% |
Tim Duncan had an interesting end to his career. San Antonio’s “Big Three” had seemingly met their matches. In 2013, they would lose out against Miami’s “Big Three.” In 2012, it was the Oklahoma City’s “Big Three.” And in 2011, it was the grit-and-grind Memphis Grizzlies.
His age was slowly creeping in and beginning to assert its ugly head. Yet in 2014, he would give the basketball world an incredible performance. 15 points, 9.7 rebounds in the regular season and 16.3 and 9.2 with a 52.3% percentage from the field would be critical in getting the Spurs to the finals.
But Kawhi Leonard won the Finals MVP. Rightfully so — the spry 22 year old was critical in pushing the Spurs over the edge. Without him, the struggles with the aging Spurs likely are punished more by the Heat’s stars who were in their respective peaks.
It kind of sounds similar to what we’re witnessing with T1 — at least when it comes to their story.
Faker is playing well yet it is the performance of Park “Teddy” Jin-seongr that is taking the team above the edge. Faker not being the lead guy doesn’t ruin his legacy. He isn’t weak for understandably needing help. Yet the recognition needs to be passed to the person that deserves it.
We’ll learn a lot from this run from T1. We’ll find out if Faker has one more incredible Worlds performance in him. Potentially, this could be the last time we see him on the international stage. He could get the send off he deserves.
And maybe, just maybe, T1 fans will be open to the idea of someone new in the mid-lane.
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