With this week’s Run It being a celebration of Fudge‘s growth curve during the LCS Spring split, I thought it might be fun to look back at the things I said about him in 2020. I’ve often claimed the title of being the conductor of the Fudge hype train, but is that just hindsight bias?
Nope. Here’s the proof!
April 2, 2020 – Spring 2020 Academy All Stars
https://oracleselixir.com/blog/post/11451/academy-all-stars-2020-spring
I picked him as second-team Academy All Pro (behind Lourlo who was playing exceptionally well that split as part of a dominant DIG Academy team that also featured Damonte).
July 15, 2020 – Best Possible LCS-Eligible Academy Lineup
https://oracleselixir.com/blog/post/12273/the-best-possible-lcs-eligible-academy-lineup
I picked Fudge as the “cornerstone player” of the strongest possible LCS team that could be built out of Academy players, and this was when he was still considered an import!
September 14, 2020 –Summer 2020 Academy All Stars
https://oracleselixir.com/blog/post/12451/academy-all-stars-summer-2020-top-lane
“Fudge will be the most sought-after Academy player in the upcoming offseason…. Fudge could slot into an LCS roster pretty seamlessly.”
October 21, 2020 – Video explaining why C9 promoted Fudge and sold Licorice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTZOfiY6R9Q
Some quotes from my explanation of why C9 wanted to promote Fudge:
“There was a lot of talk coming into the offseason, ‘Who is the most LCS-ready player in Academy?’ and it was Fudge.”
“Especially early in the season, players can need time to adjust and adapt to the level that they are now playing at, but I haven’t seen anything that makes me doubt Fudge’s ability to get up to that level very quickly…. I have a very, very high opinion of what this guy can turn into…. I think he can be better [than Licorice] over time.”
“He’s going to surprise anyone who wasn’t paying attention [to Academy].”
December 9, 2020 – LCS Preseason Power Rankings
https://oracleselixir.com/blog/post/12746/lcs-2021-preseason-power-rankings-and-offseason-report-cards
In context of power ranking Cloud9 first for LCS 2021:
“I’m a huge fan of Fudge…. With so much talent around him, he should be able to transition comfortably into the LCS and will be set up well for in-game success.”
All things considered, I think it’s pretty clear that I’ve been hyping Fudge for more than a year, and I’m obviously thrilled to see the progress he’s made.