posted by woodshrew

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Summer's Rift press photo at Battle Grounds, image courtesy of Red Bull

A rising team, Summer's Rift

They were overall better players in terms of knowledge of pro Dota. I felt like looking back, the pressure was always on the new players, we were fighting for our spots, and we were just options. -BananaSlamJamma They were overall better players in terms of knowledge of pro Dota. I felt like looking back, the pressure was always on the new players, we were fighting for our spots, and we were just options. -BananaSlamJamma

The team dynamic was okay, because we were winning. But other than that communication gradually ceased to exist. Talking to each other about gameplay, helping each other with mistakes, and improving as a team — it all deteriorated. -BSJ The team dynamic was okay, because we were winning. But other than that communication gradually ceased to exist. Talking to each other about gameplay, helping each other with mistakes, and improving as a team — it all deteriorated. -BSJ

Regardless about Demon and Whitebeard having issues with our play-style and the growing communication issues, we were doing well. We qualified for Red Bull, won the first two rounds of WCA. We were the dominant American team, consistently beating any team that wasn’t Team Tinker or EG. -BSJ Regardless about Demon and Whitebeard having issues with our play-style and the growing communication issues, we were doing well. We qualified for Red Bull, won the first two rounds of WCA. We were the dominant American team, consistently beating any team that wasn’t Team Tinker or EG. -BSJ

Demon and BananaSlamJamma warming up, image courtesy of Red Bull

Winning solves everything...right?

The team dynamic was one-sided in decision making. Me and Chipmunk had hardly any say. I had some say during the draft over what heroes I’d play, and MiracleChipmunk got tuned out completely—-they straight up said that to me. -BSJ The team dynamic was one-sided in decision making. Me and Chipmunk had hardly any say. I had some say during the draft over what heroes I’d play, and MiracleChipmunk got tuned out completely—-they straight up said that to me. -BSJ

To be genuinely honest, we would have gone to TI minimum as Wildcard. If we worked our asses off, 8th, maybe top 8. Not much better and that's best case scenario... If we worked through all our problems. -BSJ To be genuinely honest, we would have gone to TIas Wildcard. If we worked our asses off, 8th, maybe top 8. Not much better and that's best case scenario... If we worked through all our problems. -BSJ

BSJ deep in thought, image courtesy of Red Bull

The Red Bull Battle Grounds

We walked into Red Bull and I told you I knew there were problems. And they (Demon and Whitebeard) spent the entire trip talking shit about James (Chipmunk). I'll be honest, that was the trashtalk I would get after games, but not as frequent as James. And I felt, like the in most childish way, it was such a relief that they made fun of someone else, that I went along with it...We were coming together in the most sick way. -BSJ We walked into Red Bull and I told you I knew there were problems. And they (Demon and Whitebeard) spent the entire trip talking shit about James (Chipmunk). I'll be honest, that was the trashtalk I would get after games, but not as frequent as James. And I felt, like the in most childish way, it was such a relief that they made fun of someone else, that I went along with it...We were coming together in the most sick way. -BSJ

When the vote came to kicking James it was actually only Brax that said to keep him. I had somehow been convinced it was best for the team after hearing all of the issues that were occurring. -BSJ When the vote came to kicking James it was actually only Brax that said to keep him. I had somehow been convinced it was best for the team after hearing all of the issues that were occurring. -BSJ

The night before, I don't know if it was out of guilt or maybe thinking it was final, Brax told James we were kicking him, prior to the decision from Valve. -BSJ The night before, I don't know if it was out of guilt or maybe thinking it was final, Brax told James we were kicking him, prior to the decision from Valve. -BSJ

We contact James, it's our worst nightmare, and we’re begging him to come back. Needless to say Brax asked him—-he was the only one communicating with him. And James said no. and then I was just like—fuck it I'm gonna talk to him.



I tried to convince him to come back. And straight up, he responded with massive flames about Demon and Whitebeard being scumbags... He messages us, "actually I thought about it, it's about principle at this point, you're a bunch of fucking snakes, rofl I'm leaving.” -BSJ We contact James, it's our worst nightmare, and we’re begging him to come back. Needless to say Brax asked him—-he was the only one communicating with him. And James said no. and then I was just like—fuck it I'm gonna talk to him.I tried to convince him to come back. And straight up, he responded with massive flames about Demon and Whitebeard being scumbags... He messages us, "actually I thought about it, it's about principle at this point, you're a bunch of fucking snakes, rofl I'm leaving.” -BSJ

Shadows and dust

On Monday night, I came to my computer: I was messaged by Jimmy (Demon) and I got kicked. He was like, I can give you the explanation if you want, but I'd like to keep it short. Your'e kicked.



Straight up dirtbag level, forget everything about kicking James, about team dynamic and on chances on TI. I thought it was scummy to kick him (James) this far in the season. Why would we do that? For the sake of the team?



Then you take me, we're playing for 3 months, we have 2 more tournaments which end on June 5th. And I get kicked because they don’t like me. Regardless of play quality—-I think my play has been slipping--but at the same time we have 2 more tournaments. We’re in the final round of MLG and WCA and I got them there. WCA is an extra 6k each, MLG is 150k tournament prizepool. This is all I'm looking forward to. I knew the second WCA ended I would be off the team. But then the minute he messaged me I knew I was getting kicked. -BSJ On Monday night, I came to my computer: I was messaged by Jimmy (Demon) and I got kicked. He was like, I can give you the explanation if you want, but I'd like to keep it short. Your'e kicked.Straight up dirtbag level, forget everything about kicking James, about team dynamic and on chances on TI. I thought it was scummy to kick him (James) this far in the season. Why would we do that? For the sake of the team?Then you take me, we're playing for 3 months, we have 2 more tournaments which end on June 5th. And I get kicked because they don’t like me. Regardless of play quality—-I think my play has been slipping--but at the same time we have 2 more tournaments. We’re in the final round of MLG and WCA and I got them there. WCA is an extra 6k each, MLG is 150k tournament prizepool. This is all I'm looking forward to. I knew the second WCA ended I would be off the team. But then the minute he messaged me I knew I was getting kicked. -BSJ

Image courtesy of eclubmalaysia

A call for change

This is a prime example of the NA dota team. We formed a team after Fire disbanded. Instead of working with us, and knowing we’re new players with inexperience--we’re gonna mess up and have things wrong with us. Instead of that, the minute that anything goes wrong they cut us. -BSJ This is a prime example of the NA dota team. We formed a team after Fire disbanded. Instead of working with us, and knowing we’re new players with inexperience--we’re gonna mess up and have things wrong with us. Instead of that, the minute that anything goes wrong they cut us. -BSJ

NA just does not have capable leaders in the scene. There are also way less players and many other distractions that other regions just don’t encounter. Someday someone else will come along and start another great team. The talent is there, its the “want-to” and the “how-to” brought on by a strong leader that is missing. -ppd NA just does not have capable leaders in the scene. There are also way less players and many other distractions that other regions just don’t encounter. Someday someone else will come along and start another great team. The talent is there, its the “want-to” and the “how-to” brought on by a strong leader that is missing. -ppd

That’s the thing im trying to portray, this concept of the same cycle of pro players, cycling through teammates. And the distraction is the lack of security anyone has teaming with pros. There's a distinction with established pro players-- which let's be honest, haven’t accomplished much. -BSJ That’s the thing im trying to portray, this concept of the same cycle of pro players, cycling through teammates. And the distraction is the lack of security anyone has teaming with pros. There's a distinction with established pro players-- which let's be honest, haven’t accomplished much. -BSJ

Every up and comer will come into a scenario like I did. They won't be respected enough to be a leader. What I'm saying is, it's someone like me coming off an experience like this, who firmly believed against this situation. I know I have the right mentality. All I know is my approach next year.



I will take a team half as good as another if it means I can lead them, and it would be as equals. We’re all working toward the same thing. There's never going to be 5 evenly skilled players. And as long as you're willing to work together, that’s all it takes. That is a great quote. -BSJ Every up and comer will come into a scenario like I did. They won't be respected enough to be a leader. What I'm saying is, it's someone like me coming off an experience like this, who firmly believed against this situation. I know I have the right mentality. All I know is my approach next year.I will take a team half as good as another if it means I can lead them, and it would be as equals. We’re all working toward the same thing. There's never going to be 5 evenly skilled players. And as long as you're willing to work together, that’s all it takes. That is a great quote. -BSJ

Aftermath of the Rift

Being kicked prior to TI sucks, no matter what kind of spin or reasoning you put on it...personally, I didn't want to kick James. But there's no one person in a team that can make decisions like that; some of the players expressed that they could not play with James anymore, and when I discussed it with everyone, BSJ said he trusted the team (meaning Demon, Whitebeard and myself) to make the right decision... I wanted the team to try to stay together, but I think it was too fragmented by that point... I'm sorry it happened that way, and James deserved more respect. -Brax Being kicked prior to TI sucks, no matter what kind of spin or reasoning you put on it...personally, I didn't want to kick James. But there's no one person in a team that can make decisions like that; some of the players expressed that they could not play with James anymore, and when I discussed it with everyone, BSJ said he trusted the team (meaning Demon, Whitebeard and myself) to make the right decision... I wanted the team to try to stay together, but I think it was too fragmented by that point... I'm sorry it happened that way, and James deserved more respect. -Brax

About two months prior to the Red Bull LAN, players on the team had expressed problems with James' play and communication. Eventually the conversations became arguments, and the criticism stopped being constructive. I didn't address it because I didn't feel it was that big of an issue (which was my own oversight 100%). I failed my team as a captain, and ultimately, that lead to us not making it to TI this year. -Brax About two months prior to the Red Bull LAN, players on the team had expressed problems with James' play and communication. Eventually the conversations became arguments, and the criticism stopped being constructive. I didn't address it because I didn't feel it was that big of an issue (which was my own oversight 100%). I failed my team as a captain, and ultimately, that lead to us not making it to TI this year. -Brax

From the ashes of team Fire's disbandment came a new lineup lead byJimmy ' DeMoN ' Ho. Joined by his fellow supportBryant ' whiteBeard ' Lehwald, and renowned midlanerBraxton ' Brax ' Paulson, the team picked up two prospect players from the North American inhouse and semi-professional scene:James ' miraclechipmunk ' Poguireitchik andBrian ' BananaSlamJamma ' Canavan.The team clicked from the start, dominating unofficial scrims online. After only forming in late February, they started to make some noise with an impressive (9-4) record in official matches in the months of February and March. But cracks already began to form behind the scenes. A clear line was drawn between the established professional players and the two inexperienced prospects. Demon and Brax have accomplishments which stretch back to the Warcraft III client and Dota 1. And Whitebeard has a long history in NA Dota, as well as LAN experience with Team Fire as a stand-in.A hierarchy was thus formed within the team, giving the 3 experienced players precedence to direct criticism and blame to the two players at the bottom of the ladder.But the team forged ahead, claiming win after win in key North American qualifiers. In the month of April, Summer's Rift competed in many online qualifiers for major tournaments: WCA, i-League, Red Bull Battle Grounds and jD MLG Pro League to name a few. After finishing with an (11-2) record in series after the packed month of play, it was clear the team was destined to be one of the representatives for North America at the International 5.But relationships between players continued to deteriorate, particularly between MiracleChipmunk, and the support duo Demon and Whitebeard. Specifically, the two had major disagreements with MiracleChipmunk's style of play as an Offlaner. They found his play to be too inconsistent and unpredictable at times, making it difficult to co-ordinate the support rotations to help win his lane. Mutual communication gave way to one-way dialogue from the two supports, and the strain started to become noticeable to the rest of the team.Still, it was clear the team dynamic did not hold the squad back from excelling and reaching their potential. After 3 months of stellar play, Summer's Rift sat amongst the top 4 teams in the American scene. At the time, Valve had yet to announce the direct invitees and the Main Qualifier lineup for the International, but analysts and fans alike agreed that Summer's Rift was a lock for the Main Qualifiers. As for the players themselves, they had their sights set higher.The team qualified for the Red Bull Battle Grounds LAN Finals, and the stage was set for the tragedy to begin. The cast for the weekend was a crucial part of the demise of the team. MiracleChipmunk cited personal issues which prevented his participation for the tournament, and Summer's Rift carried on withMichael ' ixmike88 ' Ghannam as a stand-in Offlaner. Lights, camera, action:The team bottomed out of the LAN finals but this was not completely unexpected. The strong roster of teams and the strange format of the group stages resulted in an early exit for Summer's Rift, which came at the hands ofChai ' Mushi ' Yee Fung and Team Malaysia* . After a weekend of action, it was time for the leadership at the top to come to a huge decision.With ixmike expressing his desire to fill MiracleChipmunk's position, and with the existing friendship between Mike and the rest of the team, the roster shuffle was nearly complete, all that was left as to inform James. But that weekend, Valve announced the teams which would have a direct invite to TI5, and the teams which would compete in the Main Qualifiers. Summer's Rift, as expected, was handed a spot in the America Main qualifiers.The team immediately recognized the risk of a roster change this close to TI, and communicated to Valve in e-mail their desire to replace players. That night, the team held a vote which came to 3-1, with Demon, Whitebeard and BSJ voting in favor of the shuffle, and Brax as the only one opposed. The decision was made, and MiracleChipmunk was to be kicked the next day. Or so that was the plan:Valve responded the next day: play with MiracleChipmunk or lose your spot in the Main Qualifier.MiracleChipmunk held firm against re-joining the team, and Summer's Rift carried on the next weekend, forced to compete in the Open Qualifier after losing their Main Qualifier spot.: Valve informed the team that he had signed up on another competing roster, and was not permitted to switch teams. Last minute, Summer's Rift had a stand-in, Dragonfist, take the mid role, and Brax was swapped to the offlane position--a drastic change with everything on the line.The team fell in the Semi-Final (2-1), losing to the eventual winners of the Open. In, a North American team which was destined to represent the entire region at the main event of the International 5 was wiped off the map by a team of self-reported "unknowns". Summer's Rift imploded, a caustic finale of toxic relationships and petty conflicts between team-mates. A nightmare end for a team which had dreams of success at the highest level of the NA scene.What can be learned from the disastrous end of Summer's Rift? How can the professional scene respond to these horror stories? And where does the change need come from? In an interview with Fragbite Peter ' ppd ' Dager, one of the faces of North American Dota shared his thoughts on the state of NADota:I sent Brian this quote at the end of our interview, and he responded:On "distractions":On the subject of the next great team:The captain of Summer's Rift,Braxton ' Brax ' Paulson, shared with us his own thoughts on the debacle:On how MiracleChipmunk was removed, and if he recieved unfair treatment:On his own responsibility as a captain to resolve the inner conflicts:Summer's Rift has already moved on with their new roster and will attend the upcoming joinDOTA MLG Pro League Season 2 Championships in two weeks time at X-Games. The departure of MiracleChipmunk and BananaSlamJamma was far from smooth, but with BSJ and captain Brax both admitting their shortcomings about how it all went down, it will hopefully be water under the bridge for everyone involved.Special thanks to Brian "BananaSlamJamma" Canavan and Braxton "Brax" Paulson for their contributions to this piece.