Analyzing TSM’s roster moves, communication failures, and cultural clashes in the LCS 2022 season
TSM’s Historic Struggles and Roster Shakeup
The organization has reportedly parted ways with a coaching staff member following the team’s disappointing competitive results.
Facing the most disastrous opening to an LCS split in franchise history, TSM revealed they’re transitioning support player Wei ‘Shenyi’ Zijie to their academy lineup to provide additional adaptation time within the North American competitive ecosystem.
TSM officially confirmed support Shenyi’s reassignment to their developmental roster, stating he required “extended adjustment time for NA integration,” and this transition would enable him to secure “additional competitive experience at a less demanding tempo.” This organizational decision emerged after TSM failed to secure any victories during the initial fortnight of the spring split, marking the poorest commencement performance in the organization’s competitive legacy.
LCS roster update pic.twitter.com/nFWWO3CfXL
— TSM (@TSM) February 16, 2022
Shenyi’s LCS position will be filled by academy support Wang ‘Yursan’ Shenyu, who has competed with TSM Academy since early 2021.
The initial announcement generated significant community bewilderment, with numerous fans questioning whether Shenyi would maintain dual roles across both Academy and LCS competitions. TSM’s Vice President of Esports, Dominic Kallas, provided clarity regarding this strategic decision through an official communication on TSM’s Discord platform.
pic.twitter.com/ZcSciHMrUf
— ˗ˏˋ ඞ ˊˎ˗ (@KTotem) February 16, 2022
He elaborated that the LCS roster encountered substantial “team chemistry challenges,” and the player adjustments intended to mitigate certain “communication pressure points” within the squad’s interactions. While TSM’s competitors demonstrated solid mechanical proficiency periodically, their evident communication deficiencies and team coordination shortcomings proved costly throughout the split.
Communication and Chemistry Issues Exposed
Numerous community observers rapidly highlighted that Shenyi’s benching contradicts TSM’s initial strategic messaging concerning player progression and development.
Actually zero reason to max bandaid performance in spring if no alternative international event outside of 1st place msi
— Jack Charles (@kayyslol) February 14, 2022
A sequence of social media posts from strategic coach Jack ‘Kayys’ Kayser following the team’s fourth consecutive LCS defeat suggested the organization viewed Spring split predominantly as a developmental period, indicating they intended to avoid implementing temporary ‘bandaid solutions’ for a competitive segment offering just one international qualification opportunity.
Shenyi articulated his concerns regarding the North American competitive environment during a Huya streaming session after the organizational verdict. A comprehensive summary of his perspectives surfaced on Chinese news platform Hupu, spotlighting several fundamental issues with LCS cultural dynamics and competitive structure.
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In an additional stream summary distributed through TSM Discord channels, he emphasized his perception that teammates lacked confidence in his in-game leadership during LCS matches. He clarified that strategic shot-calling represented one of his core competencies, yet he received insufficient support to exercise this capability effectively within TSM’s competitive framework.
A primary discussion point surrounding TSM’s 2022 roster construction centered on communication methodology. Neither Shenyi nor mid laner Zhu ‘Keaiduo’ Xiong possess fluent English communication skills, and expectations positioned jungler Mingi ‘Spica’ Lu—fluent in both English and Mandarin—as the anticipated linguistic bridge between teammates.
Cultural Clash: The NA vs. Chinese Esports Experience
He detailed the substantial differences in North America’s practice regimen structure, expressing feelings of “monotony from Monday through Friday, resembling academic attendance,” with merely two stage matches weekly. He additionally voiced dissatisfaction with North America’s ranked competitive ladder, referencing elevated latency issues and inferior match quality that rendered NA ranked competition “insignificant for professional development.”
The cultural transition from Chinese to North American esports environments presents multiple adaptation challenges. Chinese League of Legends professionals typically experience more intensive practice schedules, often featuring extended scrimmage blocks and higher-stakes competitive environments. The contrast between regions becomes particularly evident in solo queue quality, where Korean and Chinese servers maintain superior competitive integrity and lower latency connections.
Professional players transitioning between regions frequently encounter “practice environment shock”—the adjustment period required when moving between drastically different competitive ecosystems. This phenomenon affects not only gameplay mechanics but also mental preparation, team dynamics, and overall competitive motivation. Successful international adaptations typically require 3-6 months for players to fully acclimate to new practice structures and competitive expectations.
Teams importing international talent must implement comprehensive support systems including language training, cultural integration programs, and structured practice regimens that bridge competitive methodology differences. Organizations that fail to provide these foundational support mechanisms often witness diminished performance from imported players, regardless of individual skill level or previous competitive achievements.
Broader Organizational Turmoil
Shenyi’s roster reassignment appears to represent merely one component of broader organizational restructuring. Based on reporting from industry insider Travis Gafford, an unidentified TSM coaching staff member has additionally been “released” by the organization, with players taking scheduled practice breaks on February 16, coinciding with the roster adjustment announcement.
Sources: A member of the TSM coaching staff was released this week and TSM players were said to not be scrimming as of this morning and early afternoon.
This news follows the organization’s announcement today that Shenyi and Yursan would be swapping LCS/Academy duties. pic.twitter.com/i4wYS2U2P6
— Travis Gafford (@TravisGafford) February 16, 2022
TSM has yet to issue official statements concerning coaching staff modifications, though assistant coach James ‘Tonington’ Kandel was deleted from the Global Contract Database on February 16, as documented by Leaguepedia.
Organizations facing competitive struggles frequently implement multiple simultaneous changes, creating instability that can further undermine team performance. The timing of coaching staff departures alongside player roster adjustments suggests deeper systemic issues within TSM’s competitive operations structure.
Teams experiencing communication breakdowns should prioritize establishing clear role definitions, implementing structured communication protocols, and developing trust-building exercises before resorting to roster changes. Organizations that successfully navigate international player integration typically employ dedicated translation support, cultural liaison staff, and gradual exposure strategies to competitive environments.
The contradiction between TSM’s stated developmental philosophy and reactive roster moves indicates potential internal pressure from ownership or sponsorship obligations. Professional esports organizations must balance competitive performance expectations with long-term player development goals, particularly when working with international talent requiring extended adaptation periods.
No reproduction without permission：SeeYouSoon Game Club » TSM move Shenyi to League academy roster after disastrous LCS start Analyzing TSM's roster moves, communication failures, and cultural clashes in the LCS 2022 season