(-650) Team Liquid v Team Dignitas (+385)

(-275) Immortals v Counter Logic Gaming (+200)

(+130) Evil Geniuses v Team Liquid (-170)

(-210) Immortals v Dignitas (+160)

(-360) Evil Geniuses v Counter Logic Gaming (+255)

The LCS Lock-In tournament is a preseason dress rehearsal for these organizations. Many teams choose to bring academy players (developmental players) or struggle to field their entire starting roster due to visa issues. We saw on Friday that this was a hurdle for DFS players as teams had to make last minute swaps or made the choice to sit some of their projected starters. Part of this analysis (until we get a better sense of the lineups these teams are going to consistently use) will be looking at the safest picks on the slate. There is no use picking a player that has the potential to be splitting time or not playing at all. If you want to make more aggressive lineups, you could find big success if those players play. Let’s dive in!

Game #1: Team Liquid v Team Dignitas

Cann’s Pick: Team Liquid

Game #1: Immortals v Counter Logic Gaming

Cann’s Pick: Immortals

Game #1: Evil Geniuses v Team Liquid

Cann’s Pick: Team Liquid

Game #1: Immortals v Dignitas

Cann’s Pick: Immortals

Game #1: Evil Geniuses v Counter Logic Gaming

Cann’s Pick: Evil Geniuses

Fantasy Value Breakdown


Captain

Favorite: WildTurtle (IMT: $11,700) This is the best case scenario for Immortals as they start their season. They have all of their starters in building and ready to go. They start the tournament playing two of the weakest teams in the league and have made some major upgrades to their carry roles. One of those upgrades is the addition to WildTurtle, who is one of the most decorated players in LCS history. He is aggressive and willing to put himself in harms way to output the damage his team needs him to. It is very feast or famine with Turtle, but with the quality of opponents, I have less of a fear of Turtle getting blown out. 

Value Pick: Santorin (TL: $10,800)

Top 

Favorite: Bwipo (TL: $6,600) I have been hard on Bwipo in the past. I felt like he was too much of a lane focused player and was too willing to sacrifice his own life to start fights. I think reflecting back on his tenure with FNC I can see that he was trying to lead a team that was very disjointed at times. On this TL lineup, he can be lane focused and not feel the pressure of being “the guy” in late game teamfights. The veteran presence of this team will make a huge difference in the LCS and if they can figure out CoreJJ’s green card issues, World Championship aspirations are not unwarranted here. 

Value Pick: Impact (EG: $6,000)

Jungle

Favorite: Xerxe (IMT: $7,000) Xerxe has suffered for an entire season on a IMT lineup that could have been one of the weakest rosters ever assembled. In 2021 Xerxe helped carry a young and inexperienced team to the Summer playoffs with his smart macro play combined with his steady hand. He never panicked and he found ways to help facilitate struggling team members to help make them relevant in the late game. He now has the likes of PowerOfEvil in the mid lane who is one of the most consistent players in his role and the aggressiveness of a Destiny/WildTurtle bot lane. I think there is an outside chance that we hear conversations for first team all pro for Xerxe in 2022. 

Value Pick: Inspired (EG: $6,600) 

Mid

Favorite: Bjergsen (TL: $7,600) Insert Rafiki from the Lion King saying “The King, has returned”. Bjergsen is considered by most the greatest import to North America as well as the most influential player to play in the LCS. He took 2021 to explore coaching (for TSM) and he has gained a new experience that will be so valuable for theis TL team. He is surrounded by the best talent in his entire career and there is very little between him and his goal of bringing international success to NA.

Value Pick: PowerOfEvil (IMT: $7,400) 

ADC

Favorite: Danny (EG: $7,400) On paper, the TL bot lane is the best in the league. Unfortunately, TL’s support (CoreJJ) has had issues securing his green card. This means that TL will be over the import limit of 2 (they used import slots on Bwipo and Hans sama over the offseason). With the questions around who would actually be playing for TL, I think the next best bot lane duo is the EG bot lane of Danny and Vulcan. Danny proved in the LCS Summer playoffs that he isn’t the rookie to be taken lightly as he dropped a penta kill (one player killing every enemy player in short succession) in a playoff match. Outside of the TL match, EG should have an easier game two against CLG on Saturday. I am excited to see how Danny may have grown over the offseason and can be a leader on this EG team. 

Value Pick: Neo (DIG: $6,800) 

Support

Favorite: Destiny (IMT: $5,600) Pair your support pick with your ADC pick, especially if you feel confident enough to pick an ADC as your captain. Destiny is very aggressive and into better teams like Gloud9, Team Liquid, or 100 Thieves he will be punished. Thankfully for him he is playing Dignitas and Counter Logic Gaming who will have a much more difficult time absorbing his aggressive playstyle. 

Value Pick: Vulcan (EG: $5,000) 

Team

Favorite: Team Liquid ($5,400) Regardless of the roster issues they may be having right now, this is the most seasoned group of players in the LCS right now. So much international experience and domestic dominance. Bjerg is the ultimate player coach and his shot calling has historically focused on fighting around neutral objectives. I fully expect TL to be very methodical in their approach to the game by prioritizing total objective control over being a scrappy team hoping to win off the back of teamfighting.

Value Pick: Evil Geniuses ($4,800) 

 

Cann’s DraftKings Example Lineup

Captain (x1.5): Bjergsen (TL: $11,400)

Alternate: WildTurtle (IMT: $11,700)

Top:  Bwipo (TL: $6,600)

Jungle: Xerxe (IMT: $7,000)

Alternate: Inspired (EG: $6,600)

Mid: PowerOfEvil (IMT: $7,400)

ADC: Danny (EG: $7,400)

Alternate: Hans sama (TL: $7,600)

Support: Vulcan (EG: $5,000)

Team: Evil Geniuses ($4,800)