Note that these are not necessarily the top players statistically, but those who had the greatest impact for their team.

Top Lane

1ST: Dyrus

After his phenomenal weekend in which he did not die at all and finished with a 35 KDA, Dyrus now sits atop the KDA chart, with a cumulative score of 12. Considering the amazing play Bjergsen has been putting up since he joined TSM, perhaps Dyrus has been a little overshadowed. His play in the previous weeks was quiet but solid – this week though he really stepped it up, dominating his matchups and carrying TSM to victory.

Especially on Shyvana versus Evil Geniuses Dyrus absolutely took over, going 10-0-14 and helping his team recover from a less than stellar start to the game. EG simply could not deal with his tankyness and combined with TheOddOne, Dyrus smashed them into submission.

Credit where credit is due – Dyrus has been at the top of his game since the start of the season (maybe the brilliance of Bjergsen caused us not to notice). TSM hasn’t dropped a game since the opening loss against Cloud 9, and looks poised to keep up that streak on the back of Dyrus’ extremely solid and consistent play.

Stats:

Total Score: 12-0-23 KDA: 35 Average Cs: 258 Best Champion: Shyvana

2nd: Balls (C9)

With a pair of Rumble games, both victories, its impossible to deny Ball’s status as the best Rumble player NA. His perfect ultimates, timely roams for Dragon and strong laning made him a force in both of C9’s wins.

3rd: Benny (XDG.G)

Although XDG has been struggling, Benny deserves a lot of credit – he, alongside Xmithie, is consistently one of the best players on his team and keeps XDG in it when they ought to be down and out. He was the team’s best in the loss to C9 and was solid versus Dignitas.

Jungle

1ST: Meteos

With two consecutive first bloods, great ganking, even better teamfighting and a 30 KDA on the weekend, there is only one word for Meteos' play: insane. Does any jungler in NA even come close right now?

Although he traditionally hasn’t played Lee Sin (going back to last season), Meteos has certainly proved that his is among the best in NA right now over the past two weeks. With a total 66 KDA on Lee Sin over the past two weeks, the King of KDA is looking to reclaim his throne (although Dyrus sits there now).

Against XDG, his constant ganks in the middle lane kept Mancloud irrelevant for most of the game and his aggressive counter-jungling totally dominated Nintendudex in the game versus Coast. Meteos always seems to be in the right place at the right time, not only setting up kills all over the map but keeping his teammates safe, warding and counter-warding, controlling objectives and pushing towers.

It's as simple as this: when Meteos plays well, Cloud 9 dominates. And Meteos right now has been playing the best he ever has.

Stats:

Total Score: 9-1-21 KDA: 30 Average Cs: 107.5 Best Champion: Lee Sin

2nd: Dexter (CLG)

While his score may not reflect it, Dexter’s mere presence on CLG was like a bolt of energy for the whole team – he made the plays when he had to and CLG looked much the better for his return.

3rd: Crumbzz (Dignitas)

Even in defeat, Crumbzz was the best player on his team and his Wukong was instrumental in Dignitas’ victory over Coast.

Middle Lane

1ST: Link

The prodigal son returns to his proper place. With Dexter finally back in the lineup Link was finally free to return to his home in the mid lane – and what a return it was.

His Leblanc totally dominated Pobelter, picking up kills all over the map and giving EG no chance to make a push to get back into the game. While his jungling was adequate, and he answered the call when CLG needed it, Link just looked comfortable playing an AP assassin role again.

The finally complete CLG needs Link to play at his top level if they are to make a run for 1st in North America - and if this week means anything, things bode well.

Stats:

Total Score: 8-1-6 KDA: 14 Average Cs: 189 Best Champion: Leblanc

2nd: Bjergsen (TSM)

While his Leblanc wasn’t as impressive as it has been in weeks past it was still strong and his Nidalee absolutely ripped Curse to pieces, capping off the game with a Quadra Kill.

3rd: Shiphtur (Coast)

Yes, Coast is struggling mightily right now, but I feel like Shiphtur deserves a lot of credit for his play. He is constantly the best player on his team, has high kill participation with few deaths and lanes brilliantly. If Coast is to recover at any point this season, it will be due to Shiphtur.

Bot-Lane Duo

1ST: Aphromoo and Doublelift

With the return of Dexter to CLG, not only did Link come alive but the Rush Hour bot-lane did as well. Not only did they bully Yellowpete and Krepo incredibly well, they teamfought smart and made the plays when it mattered.

With not a death between them, Doublelift and Aphromoo might finally be able to find their rhythm with Dexter’s return. They have the potential to be the best in North America, and this week was proof of that.

While it would have been nice to see another game by CLG to confirm their new team dynamic, thinks are looking good if Aphro and Doublelift can keep up the level of play they put on display against EG.

Stats:

Doublelift

Total Score: 7-0-8 KDA: 15 Average Cs: 290 Best Champion: Sivir

Aphromoo

Total Score: 1-0-15 KDA: 16 Average Cs: 12 Best Champion: Thresh

2nd: Xmithie and BloodWater (XDG.G)

There was a lot of weight placed on Xmithies’ shoulders following the lane swap, and I think he has surpassed expectations. He is the best player on XDG more often than not and his 10-0-8 game versus Dignitas was huge. This lane is coming into its own and could be scary as they only get better.

3rd: Cop and Saintvicious (Curse)

Stepping out of retirement, Saintvicious did a lot to help Curse pick up a win versus the red-hot Dignitas, and Cop has quietly been one of the best AD players in NA all season. With a shot-caller the likes of Saint rejoining Curse, the bot-lane duo could shine in the weeks to come.

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Plays of the Week

1) Thresh Express: The Aphromoo Train

When it looked like Innox was going to escape. When CLG had given up on the chase. One man said no. One man said DAMN THE ODDS.

With a max range Thresh Hook and a last-second Lantern to Link, Aphromoo took nothing and made it into a kill. Persistence pays off in this case – the rest of CLG was miles away, but Aphro would not be denied another kill onto Innox’s Mundo, bringing Link along for a ride across the entirety of the screen. If this play teaches us one thing, it ain’t over ‘till it’s over.

Sit back and watch the Aphromoo Thresh Express work its magic.

(Click photo for VOD)

2) Fish Fake-Out: Pobelter Mind Games Bjergsen

Dazzling mechanics? Yep. Great mind-games? You bet! Risky as hell? Absolutely! But Pobelter somehow made this play work.

Catching Bjergsen’s Leblanc in rotation, Pobelter jumped right on him with him Fizz. As Bjergsen attempted to retreat over the wall, Pobelter faked a Playful/Trickster pursuit, anticipating Bjergsen’s return then Flashing to follow him for the kill. Although it cost Pobelter his life in the end, the play is a brilliant display of high-skill by both players and the mind-games of assassin versus assassin duels.

Words don’t do it justice. Watch. And. Learn.

(Click photo for VOD)

3) Mess With the Bull: Saintvicious' Nope

Playing Alistar in his return to LCS play for the first time since retirement, Saintvicious was showing no signs of rust as he denied Crumbzz any attempt to steal the Baron.



With Crumbzz’s Vi preparing to Vault Breaker over the wall, Saint timed his Headbutt perfectly to totally stuff Crumbzz. While it wasn’t a deciding play of the game (his level 3 roam to mid was much more important) this play was as flashy as it was impressive and Saint deserves a lot of credit for making the plays even after a role swap and months out of the game.

And yes, you can’t milk those.

(Click photo for VOD)

Main Image: Riot Games