Summoning Insight put it poignantly. Imagine if, at the end of 2017, you read that Eugene “Pobelter” Park, of all players, had come in as a much-needed replacement for Lee “Crown Min-ho — on Counter Logic Gaming of all teams.

The storylines behind these two players couldn’t be more different, nor could their interactions with one of North America’s most beloved and infamous veteran organizations. CLG heading into 2020 had sky high expectations (that they didn’t reach), and the reintroduction of Pobelter feels like a desperate attempt to salvage their sinking ship.

Vastly different in their capabilities and expectations, these players are diametrically opposed in what teams – and their fans – can expect from them. From Pobelter, domestic success is a given, especially since his valuable resident slot opens up import opportunities elsewhere. Summer 2015 even saw the midlaner bring domestic success to CLG, and the first of multiple group stage exits at the World Championship to give him the reputation of an international choker.

Crown, on the other hand, was an unknown quantity. The midlaner had the highest highs in the entire world – bringing Samsung Galaxy a World Championship in 2017 – but has also had a history of lows. Ironically, both of these players have gained a reputation for choking, but at least Pobelter guarantees you international success.

What is North America’s fixation with imports? And what can other teams learn from CLG’s shortcomings?

Eyes on the prize but tripping at the start line

“He is just a completely different player from last year,” stated notable League analyst and LCK caster Nick “LS” DeCesare on his interactions with Crown in solo queue.

Basic mistakes on stage were made evident, and the former World Champion just seemed to be on a completely different page to the rest of his team. In Optic Gaming, the first team to bring Crown over, there was at least something redeemable in Crown’s play – and at least one teammate on the same page as him in jungler William “Meteos” Hartman.

Crown’s consistent losing of the midlane in every 1v1 situation and misreads in others meant that CLG investment and yesteryear rookie of the split contender Ray “Wiggily” Griffin also suffered, as playing the jungle role without midlane priority ever is an awful experience. CLG’s investment in Crown was a risk that absolutely did not pay off, and I am saying this as a long time fan of the player.

It also calls into question the supporting staff’s capabilities on CLG’s behalf. Crown is well-known to have issues with his mental game, often suffering from tilt seemingly at random. The fact that Optic Gaming – an organization that was hemorrhaging money and focusing on a budget year for 2019 – could foster an environment in which Crown thrived, and yet CLG cannot, should be deeply troubling.

Further fuel to the fire burning in CLG fans’ hearts is that the organization insists on Weldon Green, a sports psychologist with a proven track record of success, being on stage with the team in lieu of a coach with actual game knowledge. This would make more sense if CLG’s drafts weren’t questionable at times and sheer nonsensical at others, and also further raises questions between just how bad Crown fell off as a player versus what kind of support Weldon was providing him with.

Malzahar all the way down

It’s kind of ironic, actually, that both Crown and Pobelter were known for their proficiency on utility roles and acting as secondary carries in their respective greatest successes. The luxury of having star players surrounding you means that you can quietly – reliably – do your job and keep the rest of the team afloat while soaking little in terms of resources.

This should, theoretically, mean that CLG can fulfill whatever role Crown was hoping to accomplish heading into the season. With long term – and current franchise – player Trevor “Stixxay” Hayes putting up decent numbers even in an awful season, CLG can afford to play around their big carries in other lanes while facilitating things with a midlaner that they know can hold his own.

The main concern is that typically these players that the utility members facilitate are superstar imports, of which CLG currently has… kind of one?

Pobelter and LCS’ import fetish

It was a sad day when the 2020 LCS rosters were announced and neither Pobelter nor Tanner “Damonte” Damonte found a starting position on a line-up. Many pointed to North America’s fixation on importing European or Korean talent for the midlane as the primary reason, but in all honesty the above average performances these players put out in 2019 were exaggerated due to their lack of taking up an import slot.

Being above average and being a domestic talent is what most of the NA LCS can only dream of, but it’s not good enough for some of the top organizations. Take Team Liquid, who cut Pobelter after he led them to two subsequent championship titles. Import talent drives up the strength of the region, but it comes at the cost of further development of players that haven’t had the chance to show everything they have (that being said, Pobelter is now entering the eighth year of his competitive League of Legends career).

Both of Pobelter’s most successful teams, Immortals and Team Liquid, saw the midlane prodigy with 200 IQ be one of the only domestic midlaners in the League. This allowed his teams to import star Korean (or European) talent in other roles, giving these five-man units unique differences compared to their compatriots. For example, Pobelter’s toplaners throughout his tenure with both of these organizations were Heo “Huni” Seung-hoon, Lee “Flame” Ho-jong, and Jung “Impact” Eon-yeong. All of these, at the time of playing with Pobelter, were indisputably top two in their role.

The trend of import toplaners going hand in hand with Pobelter continues to CLG, but volatile carry (rather, occasional death magnet) Kim “Ruin” Hyeong-min has not had the most spectacular of seasons so far. With Pobelter joining this iteration of CLG, another valuable import slot has opened, with the currently occupied one presently being occupied by a top laner that looks serviceable at best. CLG should use Spring to build upon a domestic core and then make big moves with their import slots during Summer – or in 2021.

Though the Crown experiment was a huge failure for the organisation, the rationale behind it was there – there’s a reason why CLG were rated as an easily top-3 team on paper. League of Legends is a team game, and chemistry is key – so teams need to be more willing to integrate their imports if they are going to commit to them.

I believe that CLG, with a real midlaner, can actually make a splash this season – even if we have to wait until Summer for Pobelter to properly gel with the squad. I also believe that Crown can still be top tier if given an appropriate environment to work in.

But maybe I’m an optimist.