Part 1

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Phoenix1

P1 had a much different start to this split than they did last year. The first half the split, they have regularly been considered one of the top tier teams in the league. The same problem with constant roster issues did not affect them for the majority of this split; although, we have seen Meteos having to step in for Rami "Inori" Charagh. This particular move is not due to performance issues and originally did not seem to be a long term substitution. Unlike previous roster issues, this particular change was a boon to P1 who took down C9 in Week 5.

No "Arrow" Donghyeon has been a consistent strength and lauded as the best AD Carry in the league even when his team is not performing and winning matches. He tops the list with KDA at 5.2 and the highest damage per minute of the rest of the players in his role.

Despite the inconsistencies of players like Inori on the team. Adrian "Adrian" Ma has continued to be a consistent player to support Arrow and the team when Arrow is self-sustaining. Arrow was not the only import Korean that P1 picked up in the off season. Ryu "Ryu" Sangwook, a Korean import that has played in Europe since 2014, has also joined P1's ranks. Ryu has been mostly inconsistent, but has shown the ability to perform at the highest level.

The biggest problem that P1 appear to have this split -- and it was slightly less prevalent when seeing the team playing with Meteos -- is that while the bot lane has been a consistent strength and generally P1 seems to have a grasp on team fighting in general, they do not appear to be able to make decisive and correct calls around neutral objectives -- baron in particular.

Game after game this split this has cost them, or nearly cost them, games and series. When it appears that communication is good enough for a teamfight but not there for neutral objectives, then the problem has either been that Inori or the team as a whole must learn to make quicker value judgments to start making the smart decisions required around these objectives.

If P1 can solidify this portion of their play, they will not only secure their current standing. but give everyone a run for their money in Playoffs.

Team Dignitas

Last year, DIG ended the Spring Split in last place, falling to Team Dragon Knights in the promotion tournament. It was expected that they would have to fight they're way back into the LCS through the Challenger Series but they hadn't as Apex Pride bought out the spot. However, in September, Philadelphia 76ers acquired Apex Gaming and Team Dignitas. The two teams were combined, and that is how DIG found it's way back into the LCS so quickly. The starting roster that was acquired for 2017 is a mish mash of former teammates and high profile Korean imports.

Without a doubt, the acquisition of Kim "Ssumday" Chanho was one of the most hyped imports for this season. He's known for his carry playstyle and last year was on the top 20 list of players at the Worlds Championship. Analysts and fans alike were excited to see Ssumday make an explosive debut.

Practically right out of the gate, it was clear there were issues with DIG's rosters. In addition to Ssumday, Lee "Chaser" Sanghyun of Jin Air and Longzhu was also signed to DIG, leaving the Top lane and Jungle with players who do not speak fluent English. While Jang "Keane" Laeyoung is quite proficient in English, DIG's aim is not to use him as a translator, but to have the game played completely in English. Despite the fact that Benjamin "LOD" deMunck and Alex "Xpecial" Chu have had experience on mixed languages teams, it is clear that the communication between the triangle of top, jungle and mid is more cohesive.

Over the split, the parts have been playing consistently well individually, but communication and coordination has appeared to be a weakness for this team. It is an issue they are focused on remedying and the organization is focusing on long-term goals with the team. Individually, both Ssumday and Keane especially. have made outstanding performances, garnering leads, but there has been a lack of ability for the team as a whole to capitalize on these leads to bring them series wins.

By week 4, there were clear struggles and William "Stunt" Chen was brought and has been periodically switched out with Xpecial. In the games that he first substituted in for, it appeared there was an immediate change to the overall performance of the team. Through player cams, it was clear that Stunt was communicating consistently even through pick and ban. However, Xpecial was brought in to success and also received his 2000th assist in Week 5. It is unclear if there will continue to be substitutions, but the change of pace in support did seem to have a positive effect on the team.

It is unlikely that DIG will be able to secure a Playoff spot this split, although as long as they commit to this roster and foster better communication, this is a team to watch for in the spring.

Team Envy

Team Envy is not a lucky team.

This team has been consistently plagued by roster and outside issues that have severely impacted their ability to succeed, handicapping them from the start. To go further, Shin "Seraph" Wooyeong and Noh "Ninja" Geonwoo have been plagued by this issue split to split and it is a challenge that keeps being met with perseverance.

This split, the roster issue came in the form of import Jungler Nam "LirA" Taeyoo, previously from Afreeca Freecs. There were unfortunate visa issues that led to Ninja playing Jungle and Alexey "Alex Ich" Ichetovkin playing mid. Once LirA did arrive, the struggles continued as he possibly was struggling to adapt to the move or perhaps was tired from jetlag.

While, there are still some clear issues, in Week 5, NV did 2-0 Echo Fox. Echo Fox is also the team who was able to take a 2-0 over Team SoloMid, who then defeated the number one team in the league. The true strength of a lot of teams, including NV, is questionable at this point.

However, even once the roster was in place and Seraph is a massive strength in the top lane, NV is struggling to convert his leads into wins. For the first 20 minutes of their game, they are keeping things on even keel. It is clear that their lanes are able to sustain themselves on par with the rest of the league. So, the problem is once NV gets out of lane and approach the mid game, their coordination and shot calling appears to be nonexistent. Advantages are wasted away and poor decisions are consistently made. By late game, the game is so in favor of the enemy team that it would take nothing short of a miracle to make a comeback and without the proper communication, a miracle would have to be luck.

There is certainly potential in this team, but they have not unlocked it yet. It is unlikely we will see NV qualify for playoffs and the best they can hope for is to attempt to avoid the promotional tournament.

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Team Liquid

This season has been rough for Team Liquid, which is nothing new for the team or its fans. Last year was rocky, but there was no way anyone could have expected TL to be tied for last place. At worst, one would assume this would again be a middle of the pack team. During this last week, TL has made some shocking and drastic changes to attempt to salvage the rest of this plit.

For the majority of the first half of the Split, Samson "Lourlo" Jackson has been vastly outperforming expectations and holding his own against Korean powerhouses like Ssumday, Looper and Impact. This, however, has not nearly been enough to give TL enough wins with a series score of 2-8 and a game score of 9-17. Surprisingly, Kim "Reignover" Uijin has not looked very good this split despite being a dominating force on Immortals last year. This is something that might be attributed to how dire Greyson "Goldenglue" Gilmer's underperformance has been. While it is not quite fair to blame the entirety of TL's performance on Goldenglue, he has been a severe weak link for the team this year. From the start, analysts were wondering when TL would put in substitute Austin "LiNk" Shin.

It appears that the answer is never.

While, TL has apparently been holding tryouts for their League of Legends team, LiNk has not been subbed in, but extreme measures have been taken to rectify this situation and try to climb out of last place. Replacing Goldenglue is former World Champion AD Carry, Chae "Piglet" Gwangjin and taking his place in the bot lane will be Jung "Youngbin" Youngbin.  

This is an unusual move and somewhat desperate. While playoffs are not impossible, the thought that has to be on TL's collective mind is the focus of at least reaching the safe buffer from the promotion tournament. This solution is clearly not a tenable long term solution.

Team SoloMid

Last year, there was a substantial change of dynamic for Team SoloMid. They had far from a perfect season, but arguably had the best bottom lane in North America with Yiliang "Doublelift" Peng and Vincent "Biofrost" Wang. Coming into this year, Doublelift has retired and a familiar face has rejoined the ranks. Jason "WildTurtle" Tran has been brought back to TSM.

This has been the only roster change they have made in the off season, although, there is a change in coaching style again it appears. This season has not been going all that well for TSM despite their scoreline. They have played inconsistently, which should not be forgotten in the wake of Week 5 when they did take down the number one team in the leave, C9. In the end, the series was hotly contested and not an easy win for TSM at all. They've also recently fallen 2-0 to Echo Fox.

The members have been performing to their expectations. Soren "Bjergsen" Bjerg is an extremely consistent player, but the team still seems to suffer direction in the heat of the game. With so may of TSM's games coming down to to one team fight that could go either way, it's difficult to be sure how reliable this team is. There is a concern for the ongoing stability of this team. WildTurtle has struggled to find consistent success this plit and while the team is 8-2, it has been clear that Andy "Reginald" Dinh has not be the least bit satisfied.

Despite a lackluster feeling to their performances, it is likely that we will see TSM in the top of the standings. However, if they were to make it to international competition without finding more consistency within series, they are not likely to do well.

In the end, there are many unknown factors and one bad team fight can make or break a team's place in the standings. However, not having the facts doesn't make the act of predictions any less entertaining. Here are my predictions for how the end of Spring Split will round out leading into Playoffs. week 5 2-0 against top two teams.

1. Cloud 9

2. Team SoloMid

3. Phoenix1

4. FlyQuest

5. Echo Fox

6. Immortals

7. Counter Logic Gaming

8. Team Liquid

9. Team Dignitas

10. Team Envy

Here's your chance as well. Maybe you thought that FlyQuest would be bottom of the barrel, that Immortals would have a stranglehold on first. Whatever the case may have been, what are your new predictions given the information we have so far?

If you enjoyed this piece, follow the author at @poetanarchy88.

Images courtesy of LolEsports Flickr || Riot Games.