This goes to TSM and all NA teams really. The teams simply don't put the effort into the game that other regions do and it reflects that when they come on the world stage. If a NA team wins it's most likely and upset victory but if they lose it should just be expected. It's the equivalent of high school sports compared to pro sports.
You know what's really getting on my nerves about this kind of discussion that just keeps happening the moment TSM even blinks? To most who react, it's like when TSM fails, NA fails as a whole. As if TSM = NA and every other team that resides there with their own infrastructure is irrelevant garbage that won't live up to anything. This shouldn't go to other teams in all actuality because not every NA team is TSM; same can be said about every region's best in tandem to their lesser. And while TSM may have the infrastructure to succeed domestically, they have shown time and time again that what they do specifically does not benefit them out against the international competition. Imagine if TSM had a record similar to that of Flash Wolves or Lyon Gaming coming into this particular MSI and played to this level. I'd find more of a reason to spearhead them then compared to what anyone who actually watched the NA LCS could have seen coming.
Furthermore, when you put "upset victory" and NA in the equation, what are you summing that up to: TSM's expectations to win or NA's collective expectations piggybacked by TSM's expectations? Usually it's the latter because that's what fans get corrupted by. And that's what makes these kinds of posts.
I believe it is more like how each country embrace their LOL teams. Korea has always had a love for their gamers since SC 1 and they treat them like actual sports teams, while NA is still hesitant on the idea. I believe it is due to the athletic world refusing to recognize this. Athletes still see gamers as virgin nerds who play games in their parents basement and would blow up into a frenzy if they ever were put on equal playing fields.
Doublelift left because he couldn't take the stress of the TSM practice schedule and needed some time off.
They practice more than every team in NA.
Probably don't practice right, but they do it a lot.
Eh, I don't think it's about effort so much as just poor infrastructure. NA teams seem to think getting top talent is all you need to win, it's not, you need equals they can talk to and proper coaching. I think it was DL that said during an interview that TSM's coaching is good, but not really "helpful" in the way it's done.
