Patmen had to replace mindfreak man. That's a way harder role to fill. You have to be the clutch god of the most throw loving team in the world on debut is scary af
Maybe skill wise but I think it's much harder for a rookie to become a stable backbone for a team than it is to be a frag demon. But then again derke was an absolute legend and asking a rookie to be him is wild. Kajaak showed up but so did patmen.
we have to wait until champs, both Patmen and Kaajak helped their team reach the final and performed there as well so now champs will the difference maker
patmen and kaajak probably top 2 but theres some other interesting choices
AMERICAS: verno, lukxo
EMEA: xeus, *cyvoph
APAC: hyunmin, free1ng
CN: i don't follow cn well enough, and i think all the wolves players are experienced
for now, it is probably either patmen or kaajak, but we will have to wait till champs to see if Ash, hyunmin, lukxo, verno, or some other dark horse comes up and wins champs.
FNS sold his rookie year but I could see Mada if nrg ends up turning around and making champs. Ofc ignoring the obvious picks everyone has already said.
Need to see how the rest of the season plays out, but my vote is for kaajak rn. Looks insane, but could easily see Patmen, Cortezia or Verno (if MIBR show up), SiufatBB, luxko, hyunmin, etc.
The pressure under which Patmen had to perform definitely makes him win the Rookie of the year. Nevertheless, Kajak was equally good when he had to come in to replace Derke and the guy deserves credit as well.