The T1 League of Legends team has made headlines after their controversial decision to bench star AD carry GumaYusi (Lee Min-hyung) for their upcoming match against KT Rolster on January 24, 2025. Instead, the team has opted to start rookie Smash (Shin Geum-jae), marking his first appearance as part of the starting roster.
This unexpected roster change has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike, as GumaYusi has been one of T1's most prominent players since his debut. He has been instrumental in the team's success, contributing significantly to their victories, including their runs to the finals at various championships. His presence on the team has been considered pivotal, and his sudden removal from the starting lineup has sparked discussions on the strategy behind this decision.
According to OSEN, the T1 coaching staff is focused on injecting fresh energy and perspectives by giving Smash his first official start. The decision is seen as part of their strategy to rotate players and keep performance high, with hopes of motivating GumaYusi to improve personally. "I wanted to prove myself," GumaYusi stated, expressing his perspective on the coaching staff's decision, which suggests he is taking it as an opportunity to reflect and grow.
Smash, who was born in 2006 and has garnered attention within the gaming community as T1’s newest talent, expressed excitement for his debut. "It’s my first pro start, and I’m excited to show what I can do," he said. This hint of enthusiasm points toward his eagerness to contribute to the team and potentially create upset results against KT. His inclusion solidifies the long-term investment T1 is making in nurturing young talent within their ranks.
Saturday's match with KT will take place at the LCK Arena located within the vibrant Jongno district of Seoul, promising to be another thrilling chapter of the intense rivalry between these two esports giants. Both teams have put considerable thought and strategy behind their preparations. T1's lineup for the game also includes legendary mid-laner Faker (Lee Sang-hyeok), jungler Oner (Moon Hyun-joon), top laner Doran (Choi Hyun-jun), and support Keria (Ryu Min-seok).
The recent string of performances has posed challenges for T1, who faced setbacks, like the loss to DK earlier this month. Despite this, GumaYusi conveyed his optimism about bouncing back, saying, "Losing the first LCK Cup match against DWG Kia was disappointing, but winning against DRX is great. I am confident we’ll keep improving throughout the tournament." His acknowledgment of both successes and struggles adds depth to the narrative surrounding T1's path this season.
While GumaYusi sits out, fans are hopeful he will return to form stronger than ever. Discussions about his one-year contract and the focus on self-motivation and proving himself have unveiled insights about his drive as a competitor; he elaborated on why he chose not to ink a multi-year contract during this season’s negotiations. "I thought about it before and even during the negotiations—I realized one-year contracts could be more fun and motivating," he explained. His open mindset places him at the forefront of T1's prominent push for team unity and resilience.
The decision to start Smash may indicate T1’s readiness to take risks and keep innovated, hoping to emerge triumphant this season. With every match, particularly against rivals like KT, the stakes escalate, and the team continues to strive for championship aspirations—regardless of the lineup decisions made along the way.
Fans have echoed their support for both players during this transition. GumaYusi concluded by expressing his gratitude toward their community: "I appreciate all the fans who cheer for us, both online and offline. I promise to repay their support with strong performances alongside my teammates." This sentiment resonates with many, as the T1 brand continues to symbolize aspiration and excellence within the competitive League of Legends sphere.
With the varied dynamics of the league and T1’s commitment to both established players and promising newcomers, every game this season should offer fans action-packed excitement and unexpected outcomes.