CLOUD 9: THE EVOLUTION OF A DOMINANT TEAM
Cloud 9 has been a force to be reckoned with since they first entered the professional esports scene. In their early days, they were almost unbeatable, losing only 7 out of their first 62 matches in the North American LCS. Their ability to adapt to different playstyles and meta shifts set them apart from other teams. The one consistent factor throughout their evolution as a roster was their shot-caller, Hai “Hai” Lam.
THE KEY TO CLOUD 9’S SUCCESS: HAI’S SHOT-CALLING
What makes a great shot-caller? In the case of Hai, it’s not hard to see. Even when Cloud 9 was behind in gold or down a teammate, Hai would find a way to turn the tide of the game. He was the master of winning team-fights or making objective trades that favored his team. Cloud 9’s ability to play from behind was unparalleled, making them a formidable opponent. It was Hai’s shot-calling that earned him the respect of analysts, especially when Cloud 9 started taking games off of top international teams.
A LEGACY OF GREATNESS
In the 2014 World Championship, Cloud 9 faced Samsung Blue, the second best team in the world at the time. Although Cloud 9 lost the series 1-3, every game was closely contested. This series showcased the incredible performance of a North American team on the international stage, thanks to Hai’s leadership and shot-calling.
THE CHALLENGE OF FILLING HAI’S SHOES
Meteos, Cloud 9’s new jungler and shot-caller, has big shoes to fill after Hai’s retirement. While Meteos has experience with shot-calling, he knows the pressure to bring Cloud 9 back to international relevance is immense. Fans eagerly anticipate Cloud 9’s performance in the upcoming Summer Split, hoping Meteos can make Hai and the rest of the team proud.
Image taken from Hai’s twitter page. Follow the retired star at https://twitter.com/Hai_L9!
Cloud 9, esports, professional gaming, shot-calling, Hai, Meteos, North American LCS, World Championship