The Story Behind Gumayusi and T1’s Responsibilities
In the recent match between T1 and OKSavingsBank BRION, during game 3, Gumayusi opted to play Lucian after multiple AD champions were either banned or prioritized in previous games. In fact, Gumayusi performed exceptionally well with Lucian, which was intended to be a counter to the opposing team’s strategy. However, during skirmishes and late-game team fights, Lucian struggled to make an impact when the necessary space wasn’t created.
The question arises: why, even with the option to select champions like Ezreal, Kai’Sa, or Zeri, did T1 still allow Gumayusi to play Lucian? While Kai’Sa might have seemed like a weaker choice, she could have been stronger in the mid to late-game phases. Meanwhile, Lucian’s performance was limited, and the outcome was a loss for T1.
According to statistics from Gol.gg, as of now, Gumayusi is the only player who has not utilized Ezreal, Kai’Sa, or Zeri throughout the entirety of the Regular Season 2025. While not every player who uses these three champions achieves victory, it is evident that this is a significant topic of discussion because it is unclear whether Gumayusi is unable to play them or if T1’s coaching staff prefers not to select them for him.
Despite this, Gumayusi has practiced these three champions extensively in ranked games. However, he has not yet gained the confidence to use them in a competitive setting, and it appears that T1’s coaching staff may have lost faith in his ability to perform with these champions; no one really knows. The only situation where Gumayusi might utilize these champions in competition is during the upcoming match against BRO, where he has previously shown his skills.
T1 and Gumayusi Need to Adapt Quickly
Regardless of whether the root cause stems from Gumayusi’s own limitations or the strategic choices made by the coaching staff, the current situation remains a significant challenge. In an increasingly competitive environment, the flexibility in champion selection plays a crucial role in determining success. If Gumayusi and T1’s coaching staff can discover an effective strategy for adaptation, it could serve as a pivotal turning point for T1 and Gumayusi to improve their performance throughout the 2025 season.
