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[KingKong]

and we have Navi vs Liquid next. what a day

 

[neurosisxeno]

Secret lost too many times in the drafting stage alone, and that's squarely on Puppey.

All of their drafts were severely lacking something, and he often would draft lineups that were both hard to execute and featured heroes his players couldn't perform on. EE on Death Prophet and Bulba on Beastmaster more than once, Puppey not knowing when to give up on Kunkka, and generally not knowing what to pick and ban. He was drafting lineups that looked like they belonged in TI4 or TI5 rather than tackling the current meta. I also think he just forgot certain things about their opponents, my favorite was Game 2 against Newbee. Where anyone with a pulse knew they were going to last pick Hao's hero, and rather than ban a hero Hao is known for, he bans Ursa, a hero Hao hasn't played in 7 months. I was literally watching that match yelling at my phone "BAN SPECTRE BAN SPECTRE BAN SPECTRE" and guess who they last pick for he most prolific Spectre player in DotA 2 history? Fucking Spectre.

 

[Dreams-Visions]

Well obviously they're not going to feel great about it. But hindsight's always 20/20. They had the chance to pick up the best 2 players at the time and went for it. Time and time again we've seen that you have to win as a team in Dota 2, and not on pure talent alone. To play devil's advocate, had Secret not made a roster change after winning the Shanghai Major (knowing now that w33ha wasn't quite working out, as EE has subtly suggested) and falters, their decision to keep the team together is going to be questioned as well.

True, true. However, time and time again we have seen that in competitive team endeavors, team synergy matters more than talent. As you said, they won the Shanghai Major. EG made the same mistake. If your team is good enough to have won everything once, you probably have the synergy and teamwork you need to do it again unless there are other issues involved. Alliance realized that and came back together and are still in this tournament because they all work well together, born out of years of playing together. Shoving talent together and praying for the best is a recipe for failure. Making changes every few months is a great way to never find the collective rhythm you need to be successful over time at the highest levels of play.

If the players aren't experienced enough to realize this, their management needs to be and check them.

All of their drafts were severely lacking something, and he often would draft lineups that were both hard to execute and featured heroes his players couldn't perform on. EE on Death Prophet and Bulba on Beastmaster more than once, Puppey not knowing when to give up on Kunkka, and generally not knowing what to pick and ban. He was drafting lineups that looked like they belonged in TI4 or TI5 rather than tackling the current meta. I also think he just forgot certain things about their opponents, my favorite was Game 2 against Newbee. Where anyone with a pulse knew they were going to last pick Hao's hero, and rather than ban a hero Hao is known for, he bans Ursa, a hero Hao hasn't played in 7 months. I was literally watching that match yelling at my phone "BAN SPECTRE BAN SPECTRE BAN SPECTRE" and guess who they last pick for he most prolific Spectre player in DotA 2 history? Fucking Spectre.

Being stuck with Luna into Spectre was indeed a mind bogglingly big mistake. It's true.

 

[Wallach]

nerf psylocke wtf

 

[NaDannMaGoGo]

I just feel kinda sad for Esc :/

 

[Chris R]

I just feel kinda sad for Esc :/

Ya this is done

 

[LucidMomentum]

D I G G I T Y

N O

 

[KingKong]

I just feel kinda sad for Esc :/

you can tell they're nowhere near the skill level of everyone else but making it to TI is probably all they were hoping for

 

[fr0st]

you can tell they're nowhere near the skill level of everyone else but making it to TI is probably all they were hoping for

EZ 100k

 

[mfaex]

What is that effect over Escape's players?

Track. It's from the new sets

Thanks.

 

[Skittles]

What is that effect over Escape's players?

Track. It's from the new sets

 

[bananabread]

Jeez that was clinical.

 

[Rockin' Ranger]

I just feel kinda sad for Esc :/

I don't get their draft at all. Elimination game and they give Axe to qojqva? Lifestealer their only big physical damage dealer against a team that shouldn't have a tough time kiting him? I just don't see how they were beating Fnatic with that lineup.

 

[Gxgear]

At least Era got to TI with this iteration of the team. I know people like to make fun of Synderen but his leadership got the team to the big show.

 

[scarybore]

Shame for Escape, I think they are better than what they have showed but their drafts did them no favours and too many bad plays.

 

[LucidMomentum]

RIP Escape. Sorry to see them go, but they put in a hell of a lot of work with Synderen on their team.

 

[call_kotaku]

Watching Kaci give interviews is like watching a pro stomping a 3k pub

Totally different level

 

[LucidMomentum]

Watching Kaci give interviews is like watching a pro stomping a 3k pub

Totally different level

I was a little too used to Slacks for a while - I forgot how good she is at them.

 

[Chris R]

Dondo ;_;

 

[Quesa]

Dendi got the sympathy game on lock

 

[shadow2810]

Esc vs Fnatic ended already? Damn missed that game.

 

[Technosteve]

NEVER LEAVE DENDI

 

[LiQuid!]

Please don't lose Dondo.

 

[Finalow]

4 pros + synderen, lol

my exact thoughts.

 

[Indignate]

You don't gotta go home but you can't stay here

 

[DrPizza]

Dendi is such a great character.

 

[marrec]

I dunno about y'all but that don't look like baseball

 

[LucidMomentum]

Matumbaman's dark past...

I love these player stories. Such a nice way to get perspective on these teams.

 

[cheezcake]

I dunno about y'all but that don't look like baseball

Finnish baseball is different to American

 

[bbd23]

escape had no chance

lets go navi!

 

[marrec]

Finnish baseball is different to American

Good preparation for DOTA

 

[Swig_]

I dunno about y'all but that don't look like baseball

Lol, I was thinking "What is this sport"? It looks like something the neighborhood kids made up with random sports equipment from their garages.

 

[neurosisxeno]

Lol, I was thinking "What is this sport"? It looks like something the neighborhood kids made up with random sports equipment from their garages.

It was like a Tennis Ball, that you hit with a Wiffle Ball Bat, while dressed like asshole Golfers, and everyone on defense has a Catchers Mitt...

WTF IS THIS SORCERY;

 

[LucidMomentum]

It was like a Tennis Ball, that you hit with a Wiffle Ball Bat, while dressed like asshole Golfers, and everyone on defense has a Catchers Mitt...

WTF IS THIS SORCERY;

It's the Dark Souls of Baseball.

 

[Swig_]

It was like a Tennis Ball, that you hit with a Wiffle Ball Bat, while dressed like asshole Golfers, and everyone on defense has a Catchers Mitt...

WTF IS THIS SORCERY;

Don't forget the random boxing headgear!

 

[bananabread]

Time for the annual Na'Vi heartbreak ;_;

 

[marrec]

oh of course baseball

o.o

*quietly gives Spirit Bomb energy to Dendi*

 

[DrPizza]

I don't get their draft at all. Elimination game and they give Axe to qojqva? Lifestealer their only big physical damage dealer against a team that shouldn't have a tough time kiting him? I just don't see how they were beating Fnatic with that lineup.

Biggest outdraft of the day, I think.

 

[scarybore]

It was like a Tennis Ball, that you hit with a Wiffle Ball Bat, while dressed like asshole Golfers, and everyone on defense has a Catchers Mitt...

WTF IS THIS SORCERY;

Sounds like blernsball from Futurama lol.

Full faith in Liquid for this match, but Navi are the kind of team to try and do something super wierd for a best of one so who knows.

 

[neurosisxeno]

Sounds like blernsball from Futurama lol.

Full faith in Liquid for this match, but Navi are the kind of team to try and do something super wierd for a best of one so who knows.

Na'vi assembles a lineup exclusively of the unpicked heroes of TI6.

EDIT: Bloodseeker, Lesh, Necro, Treant, Jakiro

 

[Chris R]

It was like a Tennis Ball, that you hit with a Wiffle Ball Bat, while dressed like asshole Golfers, and everyone on defense has a Catchers Mitt...

WTF IS THIS SORCERY;

What the fuck

I'm laughing right now. Also bummer the games didn't end in time to make it to the Mariners game

 

[Qvoth]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2F3Zqm4dOI
dendi summer trip video

 

[Maddrical]

Pretty fucking gutted about Secret's early exit. Been hyped for them at TI6 since the open qualifiers. It felt like a safe, albeit overly greedy draft and LGD punished it pretty well. Maybe played like a beast too.

Not sure who to support from here on out, there's a bunch of teams I like for various reasons; Newbee to support Kpii, the only Australian player, MVP to support our Korean overlords, Liquid because I've always liked Liquid as a team, or OG because they're OG. I'd add Na'vi to that list but I don't want another bout of heartbreak after Secret.

 

[Qvoth]

i think either og or eg will win this ti
all the other teams just aren't consistent enough i feel

 

[Pkaz01]

haha dendi is in their laughing, you gotta love it

 

[G-Unit]

dendi's sister is really pretty.

Dendi take my energy!!!

"Whats with the oracle's picks. Hero is trash.

 

[Metroidvania]

Qop?

Has she won a game as of late? Feel like I haven't seen her transition into late-game very well at all, recently.

 

[neurosisxeno]

Qop?

Has she won a game as of late? Feel like I haven't seen her transition into late-game very well at all, recently.

3-3 in the last week of games.

 

[LucidMomentum]

I love so many players on both teams, I don't want to see them lose.

 

[Chris R]

Lol. DJ Khaled is my spirit animal. I got another one. 3 in one day, SeemsGood