"First international LAN" narrative is stupid af

I find it funny how all these analysts always say stuff like, "Oh it's their first international LAN, surely they don't play that well" to downplay a rookie, just for them to fry on their first international tournament for the most part. Free1ng and HYUNMIN showed that yesterday by absolutely destroying Sentinels.

I understand that not every rookie is calm and composed in their first international event but guys, we're in 2025, and y'all are still running the narrative? 😭

let them be they gotta have a narrative to make the match more interesting

what would you rather them say?

the only time the first international LAN narrative works is if the player underperforms
because it can very probably be attributed to nerves on the big stage

This narrative does apply to some players, not all of them tho.

I think it used to be a bigger deal, but now that every regional stage is on LAN with crowds there i think its much less impactful. It was way bigger when you could qualify to an international completely online and THEN have to experience LAN with a crowd present

they have to force a narrative like they did with pattitek super sub even tho he consistently played with this team for a stage they go as far as rigging groups like they did in champs with group D