There was a popular saying on the Chinese server: "A team win isn't scary, but it's embarrassing if you're missing someone."
The general idea was that it was a team battle or a match. If they won, it would naturally be a good thing, but if it was a 4 vs 5 situation and they still won, the one who was missing might be so embarrassed that he wished that his teammates had lost the match.
The reason was simple — —
We didn't even win a 5 vs 5, and now we're left with four players and you still won? What the f * ck is wrong with me?
Wasn't this clearly showing that he was holding them back?
In the match between SSK and Season, as the captain of SSK's mid laner, Han Shihao, faced the same predicament.
Over the past few years and seasons, SSK, as the strongest team in the world, rarely suffered any defeats. Even if they did lose a match or two, the blame would not be placed on Han Shihao, who was the mid laner.
This was because his mid lane had always been targeted by his opponents. Even if his team lost the match, as the mid laner, he had enough reasons to defend himself.
In the early stages of the match, I was targeted by the mid laner jungler and even the top laner support. It was normal for me to not be able to develop as I wanted.
In fact, I was the one who attracted the majority of the opponent's firepower in the first half of the match, helping my teammates to bear the brunt of the pressure. From a certain perspective, I had already done a good job.
But in the match that just ended …
It was a completely different situation than any other match.
This match, Han Shihao's mid lane was no longer the problem of not being targeted and not being able to carry.
Rather, their opponent, Team Season, had openly and openly displayed their intentions. I don't care if you're the world's number one mid laner or the leader of the Four Emperors. I'll only allow my mid laner to solo with you. The rest of my jungler's energy will be focused on the top and bottom lanes. You can play as you please in the mid lane.
Let's see what tricks you can come up with.
In the end …
He really couldn't come up with anything.
This was a blatant disdain. It could even be interpreted as a taunt and provocation. So what if you're the world's number one mid? So what if I look down on you and ignore you? Didn't I still win the match in the end?
"The other four members of SSK played well in this match."
"Indeed …"
"As a mid laner, F should have played better."
The Western commentators on the official commentary platform chose their words carefully and gave a relatively tactful evaluation.
Yes.
Normally, if Season dared to use such a tactic against SSK, it would be no different from seeking death.
If the mid lane dared to let their mid lane have a 1v1 with Han Shihao without any help from their jungler or other teammates, then something would definitely go wrong within the first ten minutes of the match. It might even be more than one or two solo kills. Even if the top and bottom lanes managed to gain an advantage, they still wouldn't be able to withstand the pressure of Han Shihao completely crushing their mid lane.
But this time, Season had taken advantage of Han Shihao's current condition. They relied on their jungler's frequent movements to obtain victory. In the middle lane, their Ice Maiden was able to withstand the pressure. Even if she was forced to deal some last hits to develop her rhythm, she could at least ensure that she wouldn't collapse. This allowed their strategy to be executed perfectly.
…
The people in the LPL area in the front row of the audience seats were also discussing in low voices.
"The other four members of SSK are really going all out this match."
"They played well in the early stages of the match."
"It's really just that they're missing F …"
Morning Star nodded, but then shook his head.
"It shouldn't be that SSK's other four members aren't able to perform well without F as their mid."
"The main problem is that SSK's strategy has always revolved around F as their core mid. Now that their core has to be shifted, they have to adjust to the system they're most used to."
"And to adjust their strategy at the last minute and adopt a brand new style …"
"In terms of familiarity and adaptability, there are indeed many flaws."
The others nodded in agreement.
That was indeed the case.
To put it bluntly, the blame for this match still fell on Han Shihao. It also allowed everyone to see the truth of the problem.
As expected.
Without Han Shihao as their core, SSK couldn't perfectly display the dominance of the world's strongest team with just the other four members.
Lin Feng remained silent and remained silent while the crowd was discussing among themselves.
The last sentence Han Shihao said to him in the training room last night flashed through his mind.
Someone looked up.
His gaze was fixed on SSK's arena on the stage.
And at this moment …
In SSK's arena, Han Shihao's expression was still calm and indifferent as he sat in the mid seat in front of the computer screen.
The other four SSK players beside him grew even more solemn.
Mafa took a deep breath and looked at his three teammates beside him.
"It's not enough."
Wolf said coldly.
"It won't be the same for the next match."
Cube adjusted the black-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose and said calmly, "It'll be much better after this match."
The flames in Ray's eyes burned.
"Then the next match …"
"Let's give them a good beating!"
…
The second match of the best-of-five series once again lasted for a full thirty-five minutes.
At the 35th minute and 08 seconds of the match, in the center of the giant LCD screen on the stage, the blue base crystal exploded with a loud bang, and the purple "Victory" emblem slowly rose again.
SSK, victory!
They won the second match!
The uproar in the entire stadium spread like a tidal wave across the entire audience. On the official commentary platform, several European and American commentators were dumbfounded. They opened their mouths but did not know where to start commenting.
"This, this match —"
At the same time, on the China commentary platform, Old Mi slammed the table and praised.
"Beautiful win for SSK!"
"The four of them … forced their way back!"
Indeed.
In essence, SSK's performance in this match was no different from the first match. This was because Han Shihao's Melisandre, who was the mid lane player, was still playing mediocre. She did not play much of a carry role in the early game or in the middle of the team battle.
But the only difference was —
This time, the other four SSK players went all out!
It was as if they were at 120%, or even 200%!
Even with Season focusing all their firepower on their top and bottom lanes, SSK's top and bottom lanes, including their jungler, were able to withstand the pressure and launch a counterattack. In the early stages of the game, Mafa's jungler, Mantis, and Wolf's top laner, forced their way into Season's backline and completely disrupted their formation. Ray's ADC, Obama, entered the battlefield under the protection of his support teammate, Cube, and finished off all the damage.
In the final team battle, the Holy Lancer Ranger sealed the victory with a wave of four kills!
It was as if SSK was proving and counterattacking to the entire stadium and the entire world.
Even if I only have four players.
Even if I have one less mid laner.
But SSK …
He's still the best in the world!
*****
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