NAVI SamD on the Differences between EMEA, Korea, China, and LATAM – LEC Versus Playoffs Interview

NAVI continue to surprise in the LEC. After finishing second in the regular season, NAVI took down Fnatic in the opening round of the LEC Versus Playoffs. At the end of the match, we chatted with ADC player Lee ‘SamD’ Jae-hoon on why he thinks NAVI is not that strong, as well as his experience having played across four different competitive regions.

Davide: First of all, congratulations on the victory. That was quite a dominating performance.

What are your thoughts on the match?

NAVI SamD: I think for me [it] was pretty easy because I was thinking [it would] be harder. But Fnatic, they’re not really playing good as a team. Yeah. So [it was] easy.

What was the overall atmosphere of the team like? How was the communication?

SamD: I think in officials, we [are] consistent… like everyone talking a lot. We are trying to listening each other. So yeah, communication is good in official.

Davide: NAVI is clearly one of the strongest teams in the LEC right now.

Why do you think things have clicked so well between you guys, despite being a new roster?

SamD: I think we are not that strong.

[We’re] a bit strong, but now in LEC, there aren’t many good teams. That’s why people can think we are strong. It’s a bit weird. We are kind of a rookie roster and we did second in regular season. I think other teams need to improve.

Davide: I have a stat for you. So at the end of the regular season, you were the best ADC when it came to CS and XP diff at 15 minutes. Obviously, this is a clear sign that you’re doing super well in the early game.

What’s the one thing that you think you’re doing better than the other ADCs?

SamD: Trying not to lose CS into enemy carry. I want [to be] ahead in CS [during the] laning phase and I think I know how I can get trade and get better shares or trade. I understand well compared to other players, that’s why my CS diff or something in official [is] a bit higher.

Davide: I think you’re one of the few players who played in Korea, China, South America, and now in Europe.

Based on your experience, what do you think are the main differences or what are the main strengths of each region?

SamD: First of all, Korea is harder to play because everyone is really good. It’s my culture, so life was good, but playing was hard. China [was] kind of similar to LCK but [it was] another culture, and you need to learn Chinese… That was hard for me.

[For] South America, it was [my] first time, I got to meet new people, Mexican people, Argentinian people. They really have energy, they’re joking a lot. [The] game quality was not the best, but [it] was [a] good experience for me.

And now in Europe, I think English is easier for me compared to Chinese, so I can learn better. I think players [are not] the best but in LEC, top players compared to LCK, they’re playing good, like KC, G2. Culture is kinda different, but yeah, I like Europe.

Davide: I wanted to ask you, since you mentioned G2, you played against Hans Sama last week.

How was it to play against him?

SamD: I think [Hans Sama and Labrov] have really good laning pace as a duo. They are top players in LEC, so I was thinking [it would] be hard, but [the] game was going good for me. If we face them [in playoffs], it won’t be easy, but it’ll be funny for me.

Is there any other team that you would like to face in playoffs in particular?

SamD: I mean, in the end, if we want to go higher, we kinda need to face every team. But now performance [wise], KC is the [scariest] team for us. So only KC; other teams are fine.

What’s one goal that you’ve set for yourself this year?

SamD: I want to be [a] top 4 ADC in LEC. And I want to go to Worlds or MSI. That’s my goal.

Is there anything that you would like to say or add?

SamD: I want to win KC in officials.