Ask the Pros: TSM's Doublelift
Ask The Pros is an ongoing series on lolesports.com, where we ask a pro player questions from the community. The player then picks the next pro the community will get to ask questions. Be sure to follow us on Twitter to submit your questions for the next Q&A!
In our last Ask The Pro interview, we talked with Origen's AD carry, Zven, about his rookie year in the LCS and joining Origen.
He also had a question for TSM's freshly converted ADC, Doublelift.
OG's Zven: How is TSM going to do this year now that they have a revamped roster with imports? Is this going to be the year you go as far as EU at Worlds?
Doublelift: I think we'll struggle this year and have a lot of problems at the start, but eventually surpass our peers and hopefully make EU proud at Worlds *smile*. Despite having some of the top talent, we didn't gel as quickly as some other teams did.
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Lifting IRL
Slayer: Have you found that exercising and eating well has had a positive impact on your career?
D: Prior to becoming a pro, I was extremely unhealthy and overweight. As a result, I had massive self-confidence and anxiety issues. Hitting the gym and eating healthy left two important marks on me: confidence, and a routine of daily self-improvement.
Bull: What's the most memorable series or match you've played in?
D: Probably the series against my current team. CLG vs. TSM at Madison Square Garden was some of the best team play I've ever been a part of. As far as individual play, NA vs. EU Allstars Shanghai 2013 Game 2.
Marcus: What's the greatest challenge you've had to overcome?
D: Overall, the progression of my career has caused me a lot of stress. I made the decision early on to set high expectations for myself, talk trash, and develop a high-risk playstyle. When my playstyle stopped working, I wasn't meeting expectations, and my trash talk came back to haunt me, it was a tough time coping with the reality of my situation. I was a disappointment to myself, my fans, and my teammates. The only way to overcome such adversity was simply pressing on and working harder than my peers.
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Elvadas: What's your biggest regret in your esports career?
D: During 2012 and 2013, I was extremely cocky and made a lot of enemies through derisive trash talk. I wish I had stayed more humble and didn't become such a polarizing player. These days, the game is team-focused and the community is quick to bandwagon against me after a loss as a result of my behavior early on.
TSM TSM TSM!
JR: What's the biggest difference between TSM and CLG practice styles?
D: CLG: Execution- and communication-focused, afterwards discuss the big picture. TSM: Macro-focused, structured for team improvements with an emphasis on replay analysis.
Matt: What was the transition from CLG to TSM like for the first few weeks?
D: Nothing special. I just hung out in the house and we all eventually got to know each other. It was really not a big change for me personally at all.
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Anthony: What do you miss most about CLG?
D: Aphro and I had a natural knack for playmaking that I miss. However, I'm confident Yellowstar and I will get there with time.
Jykku: How hard has it been to transition to a new support after playing with the same one for so long?
D: Aphro and I had been playing together for three years, so it definitely got to the point where we would make big plays and set up the map without having to say more than a few words. The transition has been eye-opening in that Yellowstar's qualities and insight on the game that made me completely change how I think. We're still working on our duo synergy, which I'm also grateful to be a part of.
Marcos: What was your first thought when you found out that TSM was interested in you?
D: I thought about the opportunity to play with Bjergsen, then thought about how hilarious it would be to see TSM Doublelift written somewhere.
Patryk: Can we expect you and Yellowstar to be the best bot lane in NA before the end of this Split? If not, when?
D: Probably during Playoffs, Yellowstar and I will be close to top form. *Smile*
Andrew: When you win Worlds with TSM, which champion will you pick for your skin?
D: Right now, I'd probably pick Caitlyn or Ezreal.
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How to Win Bot Lane
Addie: Which champion do you think will always be relevant as an ADC, regardless of the meta?
D: Kalista will always find a way to get picked because she brings vision, initiation, lane dominance, split push, pick, Baron/Dragon control, and high DPS.
Dominik: Can you give me some tips on how to play Vayne? Especially on how to position in team fights.
D: During fights, you always want to hit what's in front of you until you find an opportunity to burst down a lower-HP target with your ult. As you fight the frontline, keep your distance while looking for that sub-50% hp champion that you can chase down and burst with Silver Bolts.
Focus: What are your thoughts on the surprise Caitlyn pick by C9 and how important is it to stay proficient on the non-meta ADCs?
D: It's always nice to have a pocket pick. Usually Vayne or Draven are the go-to's. These days, the meta is fluctuating so quickly that there are several sleeper picks like Caitlyn.
Flash: What advice would you give an up-and-coming ADC?
D: Decide early on what kind of AD player you want to be: supportive/cleanup, playmaking/aggressive, or farm-heavy/teamfight. Stick to a style until your team has understood your role on the team, then work on your versatility. Eventually, you should be able to change playstyles while keeping composure and understanding your role on a game-to-game basis.
Chile: What champions are best at scaring ADCs?
D: Rengar and Talon are pretty terrifying because of the lack of options you have when they get fed. Otherwise, you can outplay/outposition most of the other champs.
Hayden: How much more important is the ADC role actually in this season compared to previous?
D: Honestly, not much has changed with the ADC role since Season 5. There's not much champion diversity within the role at a pro level, but there is the capability to snowball much harder than was possible in 2015.
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Laughing with LiftLift
Ben: Is everyone else trash?
D: I'll prove it this year. *Smile*
Sebastian: What's your favorite type of dessert?
D: Ice cream! But I'm lactose intolerant so it's a love/hate relationship.
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Kirk: I drafted you in Fantasy LCS. Will you carry my team?
D: I'll try my best. I heard I've been a solid fantasy pick for years so I've got a lot to live up to.
Jennifer: What's one thing you want that money can't buy?
D: Time. To pursue hobbies, develop my skills outside of League, and build relationships.
Muhamed: If you had to spend one weekend on an isolated island with a LoL pro, who would you choose?
D: Yellowstar because he's calm and logical under pressure, and a cutie too.
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LoLesports: What pro player do you want to answer questions next?
D: Fnatic's Febiven: How is it to go from the new guy to playing with several new people? Do you feel like Fnatic relies more heavily on you to perform than they did before?
Josh Augustine's favorite champion is Thresh, he's never enjoyed a Darius, and he will always go for the kill, even when he knows he shouldn't. He currently works as a game designer at Daybreak Games. He’d love to talk with you on Twitter.
