Coach T1 Praises Doran for Overcoming “Rough Start”
Despite facing a challenging debut last week at the LCK Cup 2025, fans of T1 have been left with mixed feelings as the team prepares for the new season. It’s important to note that T1’s first opponents this week are teams considered to be in the “lower tier,” such as DK and DRX. However, Faker and his teammates have only managed one victory against DRX on January 18 after suffering a 1-2 defeat against DK. This indicates a tough start that was not expected from a team of T1’s caliber.
Following the defeat against DK, Doran has faced a lot of “rough patches” from the audience, who feel that he played too passively. The performance of DK’s top laner Siwoo has only magnified the criticisms directed at Doran. Nevertheless, T1’s “master coach,” KkOma, has recently stepped forward to defend his player against these pressures. He even emphasized that Doran possesses unique potential and will shine brighter in the future.
“Our members are all top-tier players, and Doran is no exception. I am currently working hard to help him adapt to the team rather than forcing him into a rigid mold. This year, LCK is implementing a Fearless Draft system, which requires players to have a wide champion pool and adapt well to various strategies. Doran is a player who can excel with any champion I ask him to, so I believe he will shine even more in the near future,” Coach KkOma shared.
Doran Could Shine Brightly in T1’s Fearless Draft
Looking back at Doran’s performance in the 2024 season, fans can see the synergy of Coach KkOma’s strategies. Doran has proven to be a versatile player who can adapt well to the game’s evolving meta and execute strategies that are “in demand” when playing from behind. Notably, Doran has effectively utilized champions like Twisted Fate and Rek’Sai during the LCK Spring 2024 phase, showcasing his potential to thrive in the current meta. Furthermore, this player is also prepared to play Skarner or Nasus as long as requested by his coach.
It’s important to recognize that with the new Fearless Draft system, teams in a Bo3 or Bo5 match may need to employ various strategies and approaches. When the pressure rises, players who can adapt well to different strategies, like Doran, will have a significant advantage. For the foundation, T1’s 2025 season has only just begun with two matches, so Doran still has plenty of time to adapt to the new team dynamics. It’s quite possible that after understanding his teammates better, Doran will rise stronger and shine brightly in T1’s colors.
