Liquid Smooth: TL sweeps 100

Riot·Apr 8, 2018·1 votes·21,100 views

Team Liquid went from 100 to 0 in near record speed as they slammed the brakes on the 100 Thieves’ train. They secured every single neutral objective over the course of their 3-0 sweep. In doing so and in true Liquid fashion, they become the 4th organization to win an NA LCS Championship.

Going into the weekend, all eyes were on the former bot lane partners -- could NA LCS MVP Aphromoo put a stop to Doublelift’s monstrous playoff run? Well, in short, no. Liquid flooded the Summoner’s Rift with an unrelenting level of pressure that looked nothing like that the callous play we saw in the 100 vs. CG Semifinals. In a matchup of speed and aggression against steadiness and resiliency, it was speed that came out on top. Way on top.

According to Doublelift, what makes this roster unique is their individual willingness to make plays -- nobody is just sitting around waiting for something to happen. "This roster has a really great balance of players," he says. "Our team can play so many different styles -- play late game or be aggressive and creative with early jungle pathing. Anyone can make a big play at any time. Baron engages or flank TPs or Pob can go 1v5. Everyone on this team has an eye to make a play."

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Game 1 was the most contested matchup, but the pivotal moment came when Xmithie stole a Baron away from the 100 Thieves at around 25 minutes. From there, the game (and series) just snowballed out of control. Liquid took the small crack and ballooned it into a massive rift. If you blinked or looked away for even a moment, then you may have missed the Nexus being destroyed.

From there, things never improved for the 100 Thieves. Games 2 and 3 were one-sided affairs that both ended in under 30 minutes. Everything 100 tried fell flat against the wall. They adjusted their draft. They adjusted their lane priorities. Even a huge advantage from a hard camp top that made the early game disastrous for Impact (he died three times in lane) was quickly erased. Nothing seemed to work.

Pobelter in particular proved to be a huge difference maker for TL as he dominated the mid game fights with his Azir engages. He's long been criticized for shrinking in the light or simply just being "okay" -- the type of player that would be well enough to win, but not actually carry. But no longer. His growth over the split and the last few weeks in particular have been high points for his career. And for the performance, he was awarded the Finals MVP. In a league full of mid lane imports, it is NA native Pobelter who stands above them all.

But this was a team effort across the board. Every single member of TL showed up in a big way. 100 just appeared to be outclassed when it came time to contest anything outside of their lanes. They were often slow or hesitant when it came to fights, whereas Team Liquid seemed to always be on the same page. That, to me, is the difference between a team playing to win and a team that’s playing to not lose.

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For Liquid owner Steve Arhancet, this victory was vindication for not just a split of ups and downs, but years of failing to stake a claim as an elite organization. He's endured heartbreak and memes and is one of the most tenured personalities in the scene to never win. Even this split, he says, "We were getting so much mockery from the community and from other owners. Saying, 'Even though we spent so much money,' [we still struggled]. The only way to shut them up was to win."

Now Team Liquid will prepare for a trip to Europe where they’ll represent the NA LCS at the Mid-Season Invitational. After the dominant showing here, expectations for the team will be... 4th at least, but probably higher -- as it always is for an NA team. It will be TL's first international appearance in the LCS era. Can they continue their dream season?

46 Comments

PotificusMaximusApr 9, 201818 votes

I'm so glad Team Liquid has finally broken their curse, and what a way to do it. Winning the NA LCS is so well deserved for a team that put in so much hard work, and for Doublelift to be able to perform given his recent personal tragedy is amazing. I really look forward to seeing what this team can do at MSI!

sctbctApr 9, 201813 votes

4th team to get a banner...

IcyTApr 9, 20186 votes

On the 4th month of the year...

apiuApr 9, 20181 votes

omg they should play Jhin

Hardstuck G4Apr 9, 20184 votes

Didn't Liftlift play Jhin in the last game of the series? o_O

BigBellBruteApr 10, 20181 votes

[{quoted}](name=KT Ciller,realm=NA,application-id=9hBQwnEU,discussion-id=p0bAfv52,comment-id=00000000000000000000,timestamp=2018-04-09T19:08:53.607+0000)

Didn't Liftlift play Jhin in the last game of the series? o_O

It wasn't the 4th game though. Would have been better.

woodvsmurphApr 9, 20181 votes

Scripted confirmed lol. Someone call Tom Brady and Belichick to ask how they pulled this off. Also just think of the possibilities. If they go to world's, we're basically guaranteed 4th place finish or better right? Or since they broke the curse, does that mean they could also fall below 4th at worlds?

Mr PsychApr 9, 20185 votes

Congratulations to I̶m̶m̶o̶r̶t̶a̶l̶s̶ TL for this awesome series!

KyoflamezApr 9, 20185 votes

Congratulations to ~~Old CLG~~ I̶m̶m̶o̶r̶t̶a̶l̶s̶ TL for this awesome series!

Frat Party JesusApr 9, 20185 votes

Paid by Steve*[slayer-jinx-wink]*

RatedBadApr 9, 20184 votes

im triggered...DL shouldve been finals MVP

AeijiApr 9, 201818 votes

Don't get me wrong, Doublelift played really well, but Pobelter was a monster on Azir in those games. Especially in game 2 and 3.

CloakAndGrenadeApr 10, 20181 votes

100T gave Pobelter that Azir three games in a row, and every game beyond the first I was begging them to ban it. Take away that azir and it would have been a much different series.

nrj6490Apr 9, 20186 votes

DL played well but he was not the reason TL won. Pob and Xmithie put in work to get the team leads.

F1airApr 9, 20183 votes

Congrats to TL!

Gorugo SatinApr 9, 20183 votes

TL#1

hide on lineApr 9, 20183 votes

GG TL!! Hard work finally paid off!!!

Real Sexy YoonaApr 10, 20183 votes

Despite the finals being a clean sweep, it was probably one of the most entertaining NA LCS Finals to watch. Much respect for both teams and especially DL who held it together

yandelenkaApr 9, 20182 votes

hot damn, good for doublelift

III BAKURYU III Apr 9, 20182 votes

Saw a great team win NA LCS only to most likely get curbed stomped within the next upcoming weeks by true teams at MSI most likely.
Once NA - Always NA

BigBellBruteApr 10, 20182 votes

[{quoted}](name=III BAKURYU III ,realm=NA,application-id=9hBQwnEU,discussion-id=p0bAfv52,comment-id=0009,timestamp=2018-04-09T04:51:13.439+0000)

Saw a great team win NA LCS only to most likely get curbed stomped within the next upcoming weeks by true teams at MSI most likely.
Once NA - Always NA

Who peed in your cheerios?

III BAKURYU III Apr 11, 20181 votes

Oh buddy, the bowl still has pee stains from the last 7 years.

MikeyJaiiApr 9, 20182 votes

When is the next match up for Team Liquid? Anyone knows? Lux

PotificusMaximusApr 9, 20181 votes

Around mid-May.

MikeyJaiiApr 9, 20181 votes

aw damn at least i got something to look forward too! thanks. [slayer-jinx-unamused]

PotificusMaximusApr 9, 20181 votes

Yeah, I'd love to see the matches come sooner but they need some well-deserved rest, though I imagine they'd get a few days off and start the grueling schedule of scrims and preparation for MSI; it's a tough life.

Legacy of RaApr 11, 20182 votes

I'm satisfied with a Team Liquid win, but I expected a better fight out of 100T. Definitely not a clean sweep.

YoNightmare7Apr 9, 20181 votes

GGEZ

Ashe CatchmApr 9, 20181 votes

isn't it NA LCS?

StonePlatypusApr 9, 20181 votes

I'm so embarrassed to be a 100 Thieves Fan. I almost want to crawl into a corner for even thinking they weren't a complete embarrassment to LoL.

BigBellBruteApr 9, 20189 votes

{quoted}

I'm so embarrassed to be a 100 Thieves Fan. I almost want to crawl into a corner for even thinking they weren't a complete embarrassment to LoL.

Your post is incongruent with the definition of fan. Just sayin.

2nd place isn't bad. Yes they had an easier road to get there but.... They earned that easy road. To the top seed go the spoils of an easy road.

HDestroyerApr 10, 20181 votes

A true fan sticks with their team in all situations, thick or thin, victory or defeat. No matter the challenge, so it sounds to me like you aren't a fan of 100T just a member of the bandwagon

StonePlatypusApr 10, 20181 votes

Sorry, but I hold my teams accountable. I am a fan, I'm not some brainless simpleton that makes excuses for them. They didn't use their brains in any of the three games. If they had they would have realized they needed to target ban the Azir. I mean they didn't adapt at all, and gave Pobelter one of his best mids in all three games. Cloud 9 does the same thing. They think they have plans or counters to a certain champ, and then try for an entire series to deal with it, just to lose to it. When a team can't do something simple and ban a problem then it shows just how unprepared they are, how bronze 5 they were thinking.

I'm not saying banning Azir would win them the game, nor am I saying it would take away all the problems. Let's be clear, they were a hot mess of garbage in the championship match. Game 1 was winnable, Game 2 was not, and Game 3 they had a slight lead before blowing it after some shoddy calls.

I wanted C9, 100 Thieves, or Team Liquid to win. Honestly this finals was supposed to a win-win for me. Two of the Three teams I love watching got into the finals, best I could hope for baring a C9 1st/2nd place finish.

Then you watch them do stupid things, and wonder if they are thinking or not. You have to wonder if they are so nervous they forget the basics of the game.

I'll be supporting 100 and C9 in the next split. But I'm not going to pretend they were both incredibly stupid. I won't forget their embarrassing exits, and I won't coddle them.

They need to use some basic freaking thought.

They have the mechanics, they have the champion pool, they need to THINK. That is what I'm complaining about. They turned a series that could have been either a close contest (or a win) into "have a laugh at our expense expo".

BigBellBruteApr 10, 20182 votes

{quoted}

Sorry, but I hold my teams accountable. I am a fan, I'm not some brainless simpleton that makes excuses for them. They didn't use their brains in any of the three games. If they had they would have realized they needed to target ban the Azir. I mean they didn't adapt at all, and gave Pobelter one of his best mids in all three games. Cloud 9 does the same thing. They think they have plans or counters to a certain champ, and then try for an entire series to deal with it, just to lose to it. When a team can't do something simple and ban a problem then it shows just how unprepared they are, how bronze 5 they were thinking.

I'm not saying banning Azir would win them the game, nor am I saying it would take away all the problems. Let's be clear, they were a hot mess of garbage in the championship match. Game 1 was winnable, Game 2 was not, and Game 3 they had a slight lead before blowing it after some shoddy calls.

I wanted C9, 100 Thieves, or Team Liquid to win. Honestly this finals was supposed to a win-win for me. Two of the Three teams I love watching got into the finals, best I could hope for baring a C9 1st/2nd place finish.

Then you watch them do stupid things, and wonder if they are thinking or not. You have to wonder if they are so nervous they forget the basics of the game.

I'll be supporting 100 and C9 in the next split. But I'm not going to pretend they were both incredibly stupid. I won't forget their embarrassing exits, and I won't coddle them.

They need to use some basic freaking thought.

They have the mechanics, they have the champion pool, they need to THINK. That is what I'm complaining about. They turned a series that could have been either a close contest (or a win) into "have a laugh at our expense expo".

Well first of all, they aren't accountable to you at all. They don't owe you anything. Secondly, Holding a team accountable doesn't mean you call them an embarrassment and go toxic.

StonePlatypusApr 12, 20181 votes

{quoted}

Well first of all, they aren't accountable to you at all. They don't owe you anything. Secondly, Holding a team accountable doesn't mean you call them an embarrassment and go toxic.

Without people to buy their merchandise, support the organization, and make their sponsors happy a team would evaporate.

So yes, they are head accountable to the fans.

Also calling me Toxic? Funny, lol.

I'm dissapointed in them. They are supposed to be the best in NA, and potentially the world.

But when they ignore something basic, easily fixable, and quite frankly embarrassing. It's only natural that someone of a lower skill level that see's a problem they could easily fix would want them to fix it.

DayerApr 15, 20182 votes

In what world is second place an embarrassment???????

HDestroyerMay 16, 20181 votes

How is calling them an embarrassment in your original post holding them accountable? Now, if you had gave this response in the first place, you would've had a fair point. But a fan doesn't just say that their team is an embarrassment for achieving SECOND in their very FIRST split.

CloakAndGrenadeApr 10, 20182 votes

I'm a C9 Fan. Nothing like watching them smash for 9 games and then suddenly forget how to play league of legends. Smoothie just stopped making map plays altogether, svenskeren began to play the 'lets see how many times I can get caught out without int feeding', sneaky just stopped dominating lane altogether... 100T is my second favorite team, at least they made second place.

BendableFeastApr 9, 20181 votes

This was my first split watching LCS and I got to go to Miami, I was not disappointed! Congrats TL, you guys had me worried but, you pulled through!!! It was nice meeying you all and good luck in summer and the games to come.

BigBellBruteApr 9, 20181 votes

{quoted}

This was my first split watching LCS and I got to go to Miami, I was not disappointed! Congrats TL, you guys had me worried but, you pulled through!!! It was nice meeying you all and good luck in summer and the games to come.

I've never been to a live event. But it looked like despite the lopsided final, everyone was having fun.

2011toNOWApr 9, 20181 votes

"Team Liquid went from 100 to 0" don't you mean 0 to 100

MadorundApr 10, 20181 votes

"as they slammed the brakes on the 100 Thieves’ train"

NoobGoesBoomApr 10, 20181 votes

Probably was originally "100 thieves went 100 to 0", but writer got told that was mean and he should make it positive about TL, not negative about 100T, and that's why it seems a very awkward, forced metaphor.

Ravens6969Apr 10, 20181 votes

God with the form TL are in. I almost wish MSI started next weekend. They look so strong. but have you been watching the LCK. They have so many crazy strats. Yasuo. Kai, cass top. I hope they do their research.

CloakAndGrenadeApr 10, 20181 votes

This is what happens when you give poebelter azir three matches in a row. His slipperyness, high DPS, and ultimate did so much work in every game. From the fight at baron that netted him four kills, to half a dozen turret dives and lane roams. 100 thieves continued to target the top lane in picks and bans, leaving the mid lane untouched outside of swain (who is a completely over-rated pick in my opinion). Thieves lost in champ select, Ryu's inability to get involved effectively was also a big part, but I'd still blame that on the azir.

BigBellBruteApr 10, 20181 votes

{quoted}

This is what happens when you give poebelter azir three matches in a row. His slipperyness, high DPS, and ultimate did so much work in every game. From the fight at baron that netted him four kills, to half a dozen turret dives and lane roams. 100 thieves continued to target the top lane in picks and bans, leaving the mid lane untouched outside of swain (who is a completely over-rated pick in my opinion). Thieves lost in champ select, Ryu's inability to get involved effectively was also a big part, but I'd still blame that on the azir.

In each game Pob picked up Azir before second ban phase. So they're not going to ban a mid laner after one has been picked up.
First ban phase each game from 100T

Kench, Gangplank, and Cass
Swain, Kench, and Olaf.
Kench, Trundle, Cass.

That is 3 support bans (all Kench) 2 Jungle bans 2 Mid bans 1 Top Ban. Swain.

I don't see any excess targeting of top.

The 2nd round of bans are a byproduct of what the other team has left to pick.
Further, 100T didn't pick a top before the second round of bans in any game.

If anything, I'm wondering about the Kench Ban every time. I guess Aphromoo didn't want to play it? For some reason, they felt they had to ban it. As for Pob and Azir, Pob didn't really go off in game 1. I can see why you let it through in Game 2. They're thinking oh LIQ doesn't steal that baren, we're in control of the game. He did go off in Game two but that ill fated 2 minute battle over the other team's red that 100T came up empty on didn't help in the least. In Game 3, yes, I make him play something else. I think I go Cass, Azir and take my chances leaving Kench up or Trundle up. But they obviously didn't feel like they could leave Kench up. And Trundle just clobbered them. So at that point, they have four things that need banned and only three bans to do it with.