Boards›Esports

Announcing the 2016 Spring Split award winners

Riot·3/24/2016, 6:26:45 PM·4 votes·67,669 views

With the 2016 LCS Spring Split Playoffs on the horizon, we take time to honor the players and coaches for their outstanding performance and valuable contributions to their teams' achievements.

Following tradition, we will honor the Most Valuable Player, Outstanding Rookie, and Best Coach of the 2016 Spring Split.

Players and coaches will be presented with their awards over the next few weeks on PTL and at the Spring Split Finals at Las Vegas and Rotterdam. Now, we've got some methodology information below to share more context on the awards, but click here if you just want to see the winners.

Who votes on the awards?

The awards were voted on by three different groups: Riot's LCS team, scene journalists that cover the LCS professionally, and the LCS teams. From Riot, people from broadcast, content, casters, observers, and statisticians voted. Journalists that cover the LCS for outlets like ESPN, or The Score, were also given ballots. And finally, we offered each organization, and the starting players on those teams, the opportunity to vote, though not all took us up on the offer.

What is a "Rookie"?

There has been much debate over what qualifies as a Rookie for the purposes of awards. The spirit of a rookie, is someone who is making their debut in professional leagues. But the substitute culture of League of Legends has instances that blur this line. There are situations where a player has limited professional experience, such as Trick from G2 Esports or Keith from Echo Fox. These players have been consistent substitutes in pro play, but have previously never been a regular starter for a professional team. Then there are some other players like Huhi or Gate, who were definitive starters, but for a very short time or in leagues with very few number of games (such as the earlier seasons of Champions Korea).

[[{"fid":"22266","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/keith_1.jpg%3Fitok%3DwjosUNsa","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"482","width":"992"}}]]

Situations like these make the term "rookie" ambiguous. Is Huhi a rookie? Is Keith a rookie? The situations certainly feel different, but in a way that is difficult to quantify.

With our new rule, we wanted to make a compromise between acknowledging the substitute culture in League of Legends, and keeping the spirit of what a rookie really is meaningful.  

Given that, we decided that the best definition for a Rookie is a player that has played in 1 or fewer series in a professional league.

This means that players that substituted for an extended period of a time in the past would not be considered rookies, and players that were starters for a short time would also not be rookies. However, players who were clearly temporary substitutes (as opposed to regular or long term substitutes), and didn't get a realistic chance to prove themselves, would remain rookies.

Now, onto the awards. As a note, runner ups are presented in order from 2nd to 4th place.

Europe

[[{"fid":"22253","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/trick_2.jpg%3Fitok%3DC2T-0QMD","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"469","width":"992"}}]]

Most Valuable Player: Trick from G2 Esports

Runner Ups: PerkZ from G2 | Steeelback from UOL | FORG1VENGRE from H2K

[[{"fid":"22250","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/perkz_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DBVveppru","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"512","width":"992"}}]]

Outstanding Rookie: PerkZ from G2 Esports

Runner Ups: Hybrid from G2 | Sencux from SPY | Eika from EL

[[{"fid":"22251","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/youngbuck.jpg%3Fitok%3DpqV-k53G","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"522","width":"992"}}]]

Best Coach: Youngbuck from G2 Esports

Runner Ups: Pr0lly from H2K | Shaunz from VIT | Sheepy from UOL

All Pro Teams

[[{"fid":"22255","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/kasing_4.jpg%3Fitok%3Dwu0SY0DA","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"528","width":"992"}}]]

1st Team:

[[{"fid":"22257","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/nukeduck_and_shook.jpg%3Fitok%3DyWcW5LUo","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"487","width":"992"}}]]

2nd Team:

[[{"fid":"22256","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/jankos_and_vander.jpg%3Fitok%3D5sXFVJar","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"481","width":"992"}}]]

3rd team:

North America

[[{"fid":"22258","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/reignover_0.jpg%3Fitok%3D3aLX_4U3","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"479","width":"992"}}]]

Most Valuable Player: Reignover from Immortals

Runner Ups: Jensen from C9 | Wildturtle from IMT | Adrian from IMT

[[{"fid":"22259","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/dardoch.jpg%3Fitok%3DU1Q9M3C8","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"457","width":"992"}}]]

Outstanding Rookie: Dardoch from Liquid

Runner Ups: Stixxay from CLG | Matt from TL | Lourlo from TL

[[{"fid":"22264","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/dylan_falco_0.jpg%3Fitok%3DCz5DUaP0","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"511","width":"992"}}]]

Best Coach: Dylan Falco from Immortals

Runner Ups: Zikz from CLG | LemonNation from C9 | Locodoco from TL

All Pro Teams

[[{"fid":"22260","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/immortals_4.jpg%3Fitok%3DHyViNTNA","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"534","width":"992"}}]]

1st Team:

[[{"fid":"22261","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/jensen_and_rush.jpg%3Fitok%3DE5GuMb_u","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"505","width":"992"}}]]

2nd Team:

[[{"fid":"22262","view_mode":"centered","fields":{"format":"centered","field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]":"","field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]":""},"tagName":"IMG","src":"http%3A//admin.prod.lolesports.com/s3/files/styles/centered/public/aphromoo_and_darshan.jpg%3Fitok%3DiA-tdMCC","type":"media","attributes":{"class":"media-element file-centered","height":"518","width":"992"}}]]

3rd team:

What do you think of the winners? Who do you think were the best players of the Spring Split?

Let us know in the comments below!

119 Comments

0673/24/2016, 7:55:06 PM23 votes

Not sure why balls is on an all pro team over hauntzer, hauntzer has better statistics and over all performances and is on a worse team.

im tilt3/24/2016, 7:58:38 PM14 votes

Love how Na all pro first 2 teams are basically just imt and c9

jamaLamah3/24/2016, 7:50:09 PM9 votes

Piglet > Turtle

aaronius13/24/2016, 7:40:38 PM9 votes

Not sure how Zven could possibly be left off an all LCS team when he carried Origen to a position where they looked like they had no business finishing

Ayperos13/24/2016, 7:58:18 PM9 votes

In what Universe are sneaky and turtle better than Piglet? And Zven not even top 3. This has to be a joke.

7he Joker3/25/2016, 6:18:56 PM8 votes

That Awkward Moment When Your Whole Team Is Selected #1 All Pro Team But You...

item 3070 http://oi66.tinypic.com/rsugjc.jpg

Sorry Pobelter

Chaos Ascent3/24/2016, 11:04:48 PM7 votes

Adrian is obviously one of the best Supports in NA but I don't think he really had a large enough contribution on IMT to validate placing him on the first roster. What I mean by this is; compare Adrian's role on IMT to Aphromoo and Hai, both of whom didn't just play reactive Supports but were also very proactive playmakers whose performances were absolutely pivotal to their teams performances through the split.

SUAVE133/24/2016, 9:35:55 PM6 votes

Reading the comments I see that people doesn't understand that these awards are for the best performances in this split and not for the best players in their position.

In EU LCS, I'm not sure about the 3rd team. Zven that hard carried OG in many games isn't in the team, but two UOL players, team that lost their 2 games against OG, are in the team. I'm ok with Vizicsacsi but Fox over Febiven? Really?

In NA LCS, I totally agree with the first two teams. Unlike some blind people, Wildturtle and Sneaky play better than Piglet this split. I do understand Balls over Hauntzer. Hauntzer played terrible the last four games. The only player I don't agree is with Bjergsen. I think GBM play so much better than him and carried a lot of the NRC games, especially the first against DIG. Also, Froggen did a pretty good job, too bad he missed some games.

neSnaJ3/24/2016, 7:48:48 PM6 votes

That first team without Pobelter, #FeelsBadMan </3

Phaetox3/26/2016, 1:59:42 AM5 votes

These lists are terrible. It's clear that team standings had more to do with these lists than the skill of the players. These awards should honor star players. Not every star player is on a top team because you can't just put a bunch of stars together and do well. You need complimentary players / supportive roles to help highlight strengths on a team.

Aphromoo should be above Adrian who really only makes it on the list at all because the field of supports in NA is rather weak. Wildturtle and Balls are definitely not top 3 in their roles though. Piglet and Freeze are 100% better. Maybe I'd agree Wildturtle, Sneaky, DLift, and Altec were all roughly around one another skill wise. Aside from Huni and Darshan who are already placed above Balls, I would not hesitate in the slightest to rank Seraph, Impact, and Hauntzer all above Balls. Lourlo doesn't deserve an honorable mention. Sure he's a rookie but you can't just list him because you needed to fill the list. Just pick Dardoch and list Matt as the only runner up. Most people are probably also agitated to see Pobelter on the list at all. I do think Pobelter is a really good player and we've seen him body Bjerg 1v1 before so no doubt he can have instances where he shines. The best thing I can say about Pobelter is that he's gotten more consistent over time rather than being completely hit or miss. But generally on his team he plays a complimentary supportive role and isn't the start carry. Jensen, Bjerg, GBM, FeniX, and Ninja all out class him individually. Sure I'd agree that he fulfills a role on his team better than some of those players but I can't honestly say he's mechanically better than them on a regular basis. I don't understand why Dylan got the coach award or why LemonNation is mentioned. Zikz and Loco both did more with weaker rosters. IMT got first but their play isn't polished and they tend to just brute force wins.

This list is tilt city.

Yordle Xayah3/24/2016, 10:16:23 PM5 votes

Bjergsen

LOL Talk about living of past glory.

kippycakes3/24/2016, 10:43:53 PM5 votes

"Runners-up" not "Runner Ups" Amumu

Roguely3/25/2016, 8:19:28 PM5 votes

I love all the comments. "wildturtle's bad just got carried by a good team" "Adrian isn't amazing just lucky he's on a good team" "pobelter isn't the best mid but I bet he's happy he's on a good team" "huni carried sometimes but isn't the best top". At what point do people realize, they ARE the team and they are good?

Sozackxo3/24/2016, 10:05:12 PM4 votes

Lol esports is tripping with these teams. I thought it was supposed to be the best player at each position.Imt uses IMT just because they were first and Steelback over Forg1ven though xD just can not stop laughing.

Johann173/24/2016, 11:24:31 PM4 votes

Zven should have at least been on 3rd or 2nd team. Zven played like Darshan, he hard carried games. He was the glimmer of hope on Origen and really helped them land 4th place above Fnatic and UOL.

TrollFan013/24/2016, 7:06:12 PM3 votes

Feel good for G2 winning those awards. They tried for a long time to get into LCS and now they're first and doing far better than most thought they would. ocelot has to be the happiest guy in the world right now.

Takeshe3/25/2016, 4:24:03 PM3 votes

This article has no real value. Most of people are voted on the base of team ranking in LCS, only with few exceptions. Maybe next time ask some analysts to make real MVP Awards based on perfomance of players, not teams. The biggest joke are coaches awards - winners are coaches of number 1 teams in NA/EU and for Runner Ups we have coaches of number 2-4 teams (without Origen, becouse they have no real coach - Uol as 5th team was picked). This is just wrong.

LDawgMcShay3/26/2016, 7:04:40 PM3 votes

I would have to say FeniX over Bjergsen. Bjergsen is just on there for the name, he (along with the rest of TSM) has underperformed all split. FeniX looked good even in the losses, averaged highest cs in NA, etc. Maybe I'm a little biased because I'm a TL fan, but I don't see anyone from TSM on these teams because TSM underperformed all split, especially at the end (where TL turned it on).

Miror B3/24/2016, 10:07:08 PM2 votes

Gonna just make a list of all the stuff that confused me with the NA awards and ignore europe entirely:

-Seraph not getting any sort of honors, huh? Not only did he lead top laners in KDA and kill participation, but he also made way more of an impact than the other ones did. With him, teams were 8-4 if I remember correctly. Without him, those exact same teams were 3-23.

-Adrian getting runner up mvp honors is confusing, as he was more the beneficiary of being on a good team and hasn't exactly had the same impact that guys like Aphromoo/Hai have. Even gate could theoretically be in that "best support in NA" mix as he became the only player in NALCS history to start at three different positions in the same split (something that will probably never happen again).

-The "All Pro" teams sorta scream "we stayed up until 3:00am trying to release this new character, let's just pick all the guys people know and hope noone notices". Bjergsen sorta doesn't belong on that list at all as a bunch of other mid-laners eclipse him in stats across the board, and every member of C9/IMT is included in all of those teams. We get it, they're having decent seasons and are hovering at/around the top of the standings. That doesn't mean all of them are the best at their position in NA.

Prometheus33/28/2016, 4:57:59 PM2 votes

I agree with the MVP and outstanding Rookie of the split for both NA and EU. However for me I don't agree with the positions of players on the teams. For EU: The first two teams are good, although I prefer FORG1VENGRE over Steeelback, although I think Steeelback has done amazing this split for his team. As for the 3rd team, I don't know but I just don't rate Fox at all, I'd put Febiven above him, I'd even put Betsy above him. And as for Zven not being on a team despite carrying OG to where they are now is a bit meh, although I do agree that it is quite difficult to take any of the other 3 adcs out. My opinion would be Zven >/= Emperor.

For NA: I'd put Dardoch over Rush. And although i'm a huge Hai fan, I'd put Aphro over Hai for this split. And I think Piglet showed the star quality he always had although he had a few rough games, I'd put Piglet above WT and Sneaky. As for Mid laners, I think that I would put GBM or Fenix above Bjergsen this split. As for the 3rd top laner, depending on criteria, Balls = Hauntzer, Balls has performed his role consistently for his team all split although Hauntzer has better stats. It's difficult to choose between them.

Honourable mentions would ofc be Seraph and Ninja, although they have not played enough games, but when they do, they have an Impact in it. :p

As for my Spring playoffs hopes and predictions go: For NA: 1st: C9 2nd: IMT 3rd: CLG

I do think C9 will reach finals at least hopefully.

For EU: 1st: OG (just a blissful dream) 2nd: H2K 3rd: G2 (They have to get at least top 3, else it'd be disappointing)

Bewaredog3/28/2016, 4:00:07 PM2 votes

I get that IMT only lost one game and all, but Lemonnation was a boss. Like IMT already had an all star roster to work with, he had a lot to work with. C9 was only okay and Lemonnation's been working with them since before 2013, he should probs be coach of the year I think.

Steefness3/25/2016, 5:01:24 PM2 votes

Guess top laners were pretty weak in NA if Darshan and Balls ended up on the second and third team. Both were there sometimes, but non issues more often than not. Darshan seems to have gotten number 2 because he was there a bit more than Balls was.