Viper’s situation is extremely awkward.

After BLG suffered two consecutive defeats to JDG in the LPL, many BLG fans and viewers collectively stormed BLG’s official page to demand answers. During the transfer period, BLG was heavily marketed as a top contender for the LPL championship. When BLG started with winning streaks, many fans had high hopes. However, after watching the matches against JDG, numerous LPL viewers noticed that BLG’s mid laner Left Hand was not “aggressive enough,” which made BLG seem like a second-tier LPL team, lacking the qualification to compete for the championship. (Left Hand did not participate in the Demacia Cup, and BLG’s four main starters couldn’t even reach the playoffs)

Among BLG’s players, the AD carry Viper has the worst reputation externally. When Viper first joined BLG, many LPL commentators and streamers predicted he would become BLG’s absolute core and the key damage dealer for their championship hopes. However, viewers who have watched BLG’s recent matches have noticed that Viper’s current situation is very awkward. BLG’s wins mostly come from the top, mid, and jungle performances, while Viper often remains “invisible” during games. In the losses, Viper has made significant mistakes. Many BLG fans even hope the management will be wise enough to apologize to ELK and try to bring him back to the team.

Miller believes Dan Shen is holding Viper back

Due to Viper’s declining reputation, well-known LPL commentator Miller recently defended him during a livestream. Miller argued that Viper’s inability to carry games is due to BLG coach Dan Shen’s “misunderstanding of the game.” Miller believes that since BLG spent a large sum to acquire star player Viper during the transfer window, they should not treat him like a “tool player,” but instead build the team’s picks and strategies fully around him.

Miller thinks BLG is currently neglecting Viper. Previously, BLG favored aggressive tower dives to help the bottom lane, but since Dan Shen arrived, Viper has been “left alone” in every match. This has caused opponents to frequently target Viper with tower dives, limiting his performance. Miller hopes Dan Shen will pay more attention to Viper’s lane development because in the current meta, the bottom lane is absolutely crucial; the team with the stronger bottom lane has a better chance to win.

Left Hand’s interview reveals Red Q’s weaknesses

As the strongest mid laner in the LPL, many viewers expected Left Hand to continue dominating this year. However, after the JDG vs. BLG matches, many noticed that Left Hand’s performance dropped significantly, even being solo killed in multiple BO3 series. In contrast, JDG’s mid laner Red Q, a newly turned 18-year-old rookie, played flawlessly in laning and team fights. As a result, many viewers have hailed Red Q as the strongest mid laner in the LPL.

Unexpectedly, Left Hand pointed out Red Q’s flaws in a post-match interview. He believes Red Q is too young and tends to trade aggressively during laning, which creates openings. Left Hand admitted he was too impatient in the match against JDG and promised to play more cautiously next time. This comment sparked much discussion, with many viewers arguing that young players like Red Q should be pressured more by experienced veterans rather than both sides playing safe. (What do you think about Left Hand’s critique of Red Q’s weaknesses?)

Conclusion

Viper’s performance has truly disappointed many of his fans and LPL viewers. Honestly, when Viper first joined BLG, I really thought BLG would take off this season, especially since many insiders said Viper plays cautiously and would bring discipline to the team. But after watching BLG’s games, it’s clear that BLG still plays recklessly and sometimes even drags Viper down with them. (Do you think Viper’s current lack of strength is due to BLG’s tactics holding him back?)