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Gravity Crushes TSM and CLG in Week 6
Victories in picks and bans give Gravity the edge as they move into first place.
Gravity celebrates a win over TSM
© LoL eSports
While Fnatic has locked down a powerful lead in the European LCS, the top spot in North America is far from secure. As Counter Logic Gaming continues to drop in the standings, another team has emerged as a top contender in the region.
After winning games over CLG and Team SoloMid last week, relative newcomer Gravity now boasts a 9-3 record and shares the top billing with TSM. If Gravity can retain their momentum the unlikely challengers could very well be headed to Worlds at the end of the season.
Building Momentum
After losing in the first round of the playoffs to Team Impulse, Gravity’s carry Cop and jungler Saintvicious left their respective positions for coaching roles. Cop stayed with the organization, moving to Coach where he has found great success, especially during picks and bans.
Jungler Move in Week 6
© LoL eSports
True to his name, Move cut his teeth playing in China, not Korea, before moving to the Gravity. Perhaps due to Keane’s presence, Move has fit right in. He has displayed flexibility and power so far; his two successful Nidalee picks last week—despite a meta game that favors tankier jungle champs—prove this in spades.
Eyes on Worlds
Beyond adding two great new players, Gravity also picked up a coach that is already familiar with and invested in the organization. Cop has emphasized that he means to maintain a friendly relationship with the team, building on his former player status. But friendship clearly isn’t his only focus – as a coach as he has shown a shrewd ability to guide strong counters during drafting
Top laner Hauntzer joined Gravity in September
© LoL eSports
This was apparent last week when Gravity emerged from both picks and bans with a clear counter-focused team composition – a strategy they are comfortable with and used to dismantle CLG and TSM. Gravity also has a deep champion pool that allows them to use flex picks to gain yet another advantage in drafting. Uncommon champs like Nidalee and Shen toss a wrench in other teams’ plans and give Gravity the upper hand before games even begin.
Other than CLG and TSM, the only team that has managed to take a game off Gravity this split was Enemy Esports in Week 1. With their two wins over tough opponents last week, Gravity joins last split’s first place finisher Team SoloMid atop the NA LCS. Their unique drafting stages and ability to alter builds more than any other North American team has given Gravity an edge so far this split. And if it works in best-of-fives, Gravity could find themselves deep in the playoffs leading up to Worlds 2015.
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