FlyQuest vs CLG

FlyQuest taking on CLG is... well, quite an underwhelming affair. There's nothing really on the line and neither of these two teams will eventually end up leaving any kind of a mark. They're both gatekeepers, although their depth and talent differ quite a bit. FlyQuest are obviously a lot more capable, but that doesn't change the fact that they're still a middling contender, one with a slew of exploitable flaws and a very limited skill ceiling.

Now, we *are* being a bit too harsh here, but that's just the reality of it all. Most of their wins *have* been fairly impressive, but they haven't been impressive *enough* for us to board their hype train. Beating teams in Best of 1s means nothing at all. It sure does look good, granted, but that's about it.

With that being said, their 7-4 record *does* warrant a bit of respect. There's no doubt about it. They might be a gatekeeper, but they're probably the best gatekeeper the LCS has had in quite a few years. They're not going to etch their names in history any time soon, but they'll still put up a fight and perhaps, at best, even take someone down with them. That's not such a bad consolation prize, all things considered.

CLG, too, are gatekeepers, but they're nowhere near as dangerous as their peers clad in white and green. They can still keep and, at times, do some damage, but they're so darn flawed and inconsistent that anything other than a ninth or tenth-place finish feels rather unattainable. They could still surprise us, granted, but the odds of it happening are so darn slim and remote they're not even worth talking about. This is CLG, after all, an organization that hasn't been even *remotely* relevant for half a decade. And, by the looks of it, that isn't going to change any time soon.

Their record says it all.

Neiter FlyQuest nor CLG have been particularly impressive. They haven't been abysmal, but we've seen them fumble and fail and most of their flaws can and *will* be exploited by the best teams in NA once the playoffs come around. That's a given, and there's no way whatsoever for them to change it. They're just not good enough -- plain and simple. FlyQuest have at least made waves and have some kind of identity to play around, whereas CLG don't even have *that* much. They're just... lost, and the few good plays they make from time to time feel more like a case of "beginner's luck" than anything else. It's not a good look, and even if they get a few more wins on the board their inherent role within the region isn't goind to change.

FlyQuest could still do *some* damage and, at best, make the playoffs, but predicting anything more than that would be overly optimistic. They're good, if not even great at times, but there's still too large of a gap between them and the very best teams around -- the Liquids and C9s of the world. Still, the fact that they're even *remotely* competitive and have gotten so many wins on the board warrants a ton of praise. They're obviously doing many things right and they'll surely continue to grow and improve over time. So, by all means, do not sleep on FlyQuest as their best days are yet to come.

And, well, if they play their cards they'll surely be able to beat CLG and improve to 8-4.