You can’t keep a legend on the bench for long, especially in a League of Legends.
Today Gambit Gaming put Danil “Diamondprox” Reshetnikov back into their starting lineup, ending a two week purgatory that put the most innovative jungle player of all time outside of the League Championship Series.
The team listed “shot calling” and “communication with our jungler” as two of the reason why they benched Reshetnikov in favor of French jungler Jean-Victor “loulex” Burgevin two weeks ago, but they believe the move has served as a wake-up call for Reshetnikov.
“Our management believes that Diamond has benefited from a two-week-long break,” explained Gambit Gaming in a blog post. “He had a chance to dedicate extra time to his mechanical skills, as well as to rethink his attitude towards playing in a team.”
The team’s long-time top laner, Evgeny “Darien” Mazaev, will not be making a similar comeback. Gambit will finish the season with Jakub “Kubon” Turewicz in the lineup.
Getting Reshetnikov back makes sense, but it also seems as if the team is throwing in the proverbial towel. There’s nothing to lose by bringing back Reshetnikov, appeasing his rabid fanbase, and seeing if he can find the magic that’s made him one of the best junglers in history.
Gambit Gaming tossed the dice with their roster changes, and came up snake eyes.
The team lost both matches with the two new men in their lineup, dashing any hopes of escaping the LCS cellar. Gambit Gaming is now last place in the league for the first time this season at 5-15. The team has nearly clinched relegation, with one more loss guaranteeing it.
The new jungler Burgevin posted a 1/3/8 KDA line in two matches, while Turewicz went 2/7/3. Still, the team as a whole needs to improve. In both matches the Gambit Gaming bottom lane struggled, with Edward Abgayran and Evgeny “Genja” Andryushin giving up early kills.
It’ll take a team effort for Gambit Gaming to change their fate, but it’s safe to say they are a better team with Reshetnikov in the lineup, whatever version of the player they get in the server.
At this point, the team seems doomed for relegation, but Riot Games’ planned expansion of the LCS may give Gambit a reprieve. Still, the team isn’t taking their situation lightly.
“We do not intend to relax, since the final decision regarding the amount of teams is yet to be made,” state Gambit. “Going forward our main goal is to prepare for the qualifiers. First of all, we will finalize our roster, and afterwards will commit to practicing.”
