LCK undergoes a major shakeup

Regular followers of LCK matches understand that the LCK region operates under a strict "hierarchy." Teams with superior paper strength can effortlessly defeat those with comparatively weaker paper strength. Prior to the commencement of the LCK second stage, numerous LCK viewers and analysts forecasted the outcomes of the first week of LCK regular season games. Most spectators believed that T1, GEN, DK, and BFX would easily secure their season-opening victories, as these four teams were the top four from the first stage of LCK.

However, as the LCK matches progressed, many viewers noticed a significant upheaval in the LCK power rankings. Currently, KT team, having defeated both T1 and GEN, leads the LCK standings. This outcome astonishes many LCK fans, given that KT ranked only 6th in the first stage, prompting criticism from KT supporters who blamed management for abandoning the runner-up duo during the transfer window. KT's current bot lane duo repeatedly made mistakes during matches, and even in a meta favoring carry ADs, Aiming, regardless of how fed he was, couldn't salvage the team.

But since KT replaced their support with a new playerEffortmany viewers have observed that KT is truly different now. Particularly, mid-laner BDD stated in an interview that he wants to go to the Asian Games this year, and his current lane performance arguably makes him the top mid-laner in LCK. Whether facing Faker or Chovy, BDD consistently exerts pressure, especially against Chovy, rendering him invisible throughout the match. Many believe that with BDD's current performance, he genuinely has prospects for Asian Games selection.

Besides GEN and T1's unexpected losses, BFX, dubbed the Korean version of RNG, was also upset by BRO. BRO ranked just above HLE in the first stage and is widely considered LCK's weakest team; many LCK commentators expected BRO to succeed if they won just one game. Yet, BRO shut out and crushed BFX in their season opener. Many wonder what happened to GEN and BFX during the preseason, causing such a severe decline in form.

Kanavi likely to advance to Asian Games?

Following GEN and T1's season-opening defeats, many LPL viewers jest that the biggest winner in LCK currently is HLE's jungler Kanavi. T1's jungler Oner went 0-8 during matches, while Canyon's performance was even more extreme, focusing solely on farming from the preseason onwards, rarely engaging in ganks, dedicating the first 20 minutes of each game to jungle clearing. Many speculate that if Oner and Canyon remain in poor form, Kanavi indeed has a chance for Asian Games selection.

Although Kanavi ranked 10th in LCK's first stage, many LPL viewers believe his ceiling and potential remain high, especially given his "bloodline suppression" against LPL junglers. If BLG's jungler Xun is guaranteed selection, LCK sending Kanavi is plausible, as Kanavi boasts a high win rate against Xun. (Do you think Kanavi's chances for Asian Games selection are high? Meanwhile, HLE's AD player Gumayusi stated in an interview that he aims to advance to MSI without losing any matches—do you think that's achievable?)

Conclusion

On April 4th, T1 will face HLE. Personally, I feel if Kanavi defeats T1, he truly has hopes of advancing to the Asian Games. Who do you think will win the focal match between HLE and T1? Also, why do you think GEN's match form declined so drastically, considering they were unbeatable in the league in previous years?