Two years ago CLG were considered one of the strongest teams in the NA LCS. Now they can’t even qualify for the playoffs. What happened?

Images courtesy of Riot Games

Let’s go back to the middle of 2016. CLG have just finished second at the MSI, which was the best international showing a North American squad had to date. At home, they were greeted like heroes. It wouldn’t be a stretch to say CLG were considered the strongest team in the NA LCS, and almost every North American player was dying to be a part their lineup. And much like TSM, CLG had a chance to build an even greater legacy.

Cut to present day, and CLG are in dire straits. Within two years, they went from a title contender to not even qualifying for the playoffs. And we would argue that this downfall came from their underlying recruitment philosophy and historical tendency of mismanaging star players.

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