You talk so much but understand so little.
"They might not want to risk it" ???? Risk what exactly?
Their team performing worse after making a change on a winning roster.
Im not saying Leo should sub for Crashies for Toronto, but for Stage 2? I dont see why not. No matter how much "In-form" Crashies is, Leo is undeniably a much better player and if you give him some time in Stage 2 he is for sure going to be better than Crashies.
No. Nothing is for sure. Players come and go so fast in Valorant. Leo played on his prime level a full year ago. There is a complete lack of clarity in regards to his future performance. We have no recent data to support an argument in any direction. For Crashies we do. He has been stellar for FNC.
Unless you believe Leo is unable to reach Crashies' current form or better by Champs (which lets be for real he definitely is) then its totally reasonable.
This is your issue. You not basing anything on facts or logic. Youre just going off your gut feeling and dismissing the possibilty of the opposite outcome. Its not about: does Leo reach that level, yes or no. The point is Risk. Why opt for a path with an unclear outcome when you already are a top performer, the 2nd highest rated team in Toronto? By doing the Leo switch you simply open up the possibility of maybe not being a top perfomer anymore.
Besides, FNC themselves said Crashies is just subbing for Leo, so as soon as he's healthy and has time to reintegrate, its totally reasonable to assume he is going in.
They said that at the beginning of the season, yes. Just like BBL did for Magnum. What exactly do you think chiwa is doing for the rest of the year? If FNC win Toronto or make finals at least theres no chance Leo returns for FNC.
They hit a home run with this roster. The saying " never change a running system" exists for a reason.
You use the "companies" and "money" argument, do you really think FNC kept Leo in the bench and spent all this money on his recovery just to let him go like that?
What do you think "keeping him" means here buddy? Leo is contracted to FNC. They would have to pay him regardless of what they want. They cant fire him without paying him more money than just letting his contract run out would cost. So they were "stuck with him" no matter what in the worst case scenario. If FNC was lucky Leo could have come back much earlier and been an asset for them in the server. In hopes of this outcome it makes clear financial sense for them to support his recovery.
Also since they are already "stuck with him" no matter what. Whether that is on a legal basis or the terrible PR of firing a legend of the team they might as well maintain a positive relationship with him to increase the chances of him re-signing once he does get infact healthy or at least improve their reputation in the eyes of players in general and raise the attractivity of signing for the team to them.
What i meant is that Leo himself is likely attached to his ex-teamates and org for their support and would more than likely want to play with them again, i dont see how thats unreasonable to think.
From what we know he is good friends with Sayf (who might still stay there, we dont know yet) and Derke too. FNC themselves have also admitted that the team atmosphere was bad in 2024. interpret that however you will.
Also yes the players on VIT are good but if that meant anything VIT should be at Toronto shouldnt them? Good 5 players dont make a good team.
There is a difference between having good players and having a good team, yes. But you know what the funny thing is... bringing in Leo is an effort to ... you know... make a change. If Leo and the team believe that bringing in a player of his caliber and his calling qualities may result in fixing the teams structural issues then the team might drastically improve. The teams issue was bad IGLing. If theyre not outright making Leo the igl his secondary calling is quite likely an improvement compared to before.
Do you really think the safest option is going to a struggling team who is gonna pick a t2 IGL instead of the team that you know already works and can only get better with you entering?
"A struggling team" with some of the best players in the whole wide world. Their situation is very clear. Fix their bad calling style and this team can be really strong. So a T2 IGL, who is a decent player btw, might be all they need as long as the calling works. Like man... what is this judgemental attitude towards T2? Most of the best perfomers in EMEA came from T2 within the past year and a half. Also you keep trying to frame this as a choice by Leo only when FNC is a big factor too.
Lastly, there are some remaining factors at play here: Leo might want a bigger salary that Vitality is offering him. He might believe in the org Vitality for the longterm looking at Derke and Less being contracted until 2026 and Sayonara being brought in. The overall sense of ambition this org exudes at the moment. Also FNC might want to make some money off of him since this is the last chance to sell him. And since Vitality is probably quite desperate at the moment they might make a big buyout offer.
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