thing I could point my finger to and say that was it, Mississippi St

Welcome to the Esports Equivalent, where we take one of the biggest traditional sports stories currently going on in the world and try to find a what-if comparison in the competitive gaming scene.If youre not a fan of basketball, or were just too busy on the 4th of July to notice, one of the biggest free-agent signings in traditional sports history occurred. Former NBA MVP Kevin Durant left his longtime team, Oklahoma City Thunder, to sign with the Golden State Warriors. Anytime one of the top players in their field moves to a different team is a big deal, but the Independence Day signing is even greater in scope.Why?The Warriors last season accomplished something no squad has ever done in an 82-game season: win 73 of those contests. Steph Curry and his teammates secured the record for the best regular season in NBA history. Golden State were only one win from repeating as champions in the finals, and it took a herculean effort from LeBron James and Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers to stop it from happening.Now, one of the best teams the NBA has ever seen has added Kevin Durant to its already potent shooting lineup. The signing has formed two warring opinions: Warriors fans who are happy to have what looks to be the best starting five in NBA history, and everyone else wondering how in the world this is considered fair.To find the esports equivalent to the Kevin Durant signing, we head over to the so-called Mecca of esports, South Korea. In League of Legends, there is no other king than the one housed at the SK Telecom T1 headquarters. The team has won two of the past three Summoners Cups, are the reigning Intel Extreme Masters world champions, and have a Mid-Season Invitational crown in Shanghai. Its also working on an unprecedented four-peat in its domestic league in South Korea, the most competitive region in the world. Led by the best player of all time, Lee Faker Sang-hyeok, T1 has accrued one of the best statistical years. A fourth straight League of Legends Champions Korea championship and a third Summoners Cup in four years would solidify T1 as possibly the best organization in all of esports history.But what if SKT T1 wanted to stack the deck even more? For Durant and the Warriors, chemistry on the court (or the Rift) is far more important than how pretty a lineup appears on paper. Looking at all the esports scenarios that could run parallel to Durants move to the Bay Area, one player stood out for me from T1s main rival.Enter: Song Smeb Kyung-hoSince the organization formed in late 2014, Smebs Tigers have played a very similar role to OKC. One of the best regular season teams weve seen in the past two years, the Tigers have continually failed to win a title on the grand stage, similar to how Durant and Russell Westbrooks Thunder have repeatedly missed capturing the Larry OBrien Championship Trophy. The Tigers faced off versus SKT T1 in three major finals during the past two years and lost all three in disappointing fashion, despite often being the favorite in the matchup. Anytime it felt like the league or tournament would turn out differently for Smeb & Co., Faker would be waiting for them at the finish line, and all the hard work up to that point would be all for naught.In 2016, Smeb received offers to play on various teams around the world for reportedly more money than the Tigers could offer. But he decided to stay in order to take down Fakers T1 once and for all.But what if Smeb went the Durant route? A former MVP himself in the LCK, Smeb has been considered one of, if not the best top laner in the world since the formation of the team. The leader of his team and the player that has come closest to grabbing away the title of best in the world, he still lacks the thing that will decide his legacy the most: a championship ring. Hes made two LCK finals and lost both times to SK Telecom T1. When the Tigers made an inspired run to the finals of last years World Championships thanks to Smebs carrying talents in the top lane juggernaut meta, it was SK Telecom T1 that took home the Summoners Cup.Smeb joining SKT T1 would be interesting. While a majority of fans would consider it an upgrade position-wise, its important to note T1 already has one of the elites at the top lane role with Lee Duke Ho-Seong. A former MVP from his days on the hapless NaJin e-mFire, Duke is the type of player who is quieter and less flashy than Smeb, but puts up close numbers in his role. The addition of Smeb would be a slight boost when it comes to offensive stats; however, the real benefit is his communication and shot calling.Unless Duke joined ROX in a trade, the signing of Smeb would also weaken T1s greatest competitor, the Tigers, for a third Summoners Cup. Just like the Warriors did by chopping the head off of the team that took them to seven games during this years Western Conference final, a Tigers team without Smeb just wouldnt be the Tigers anymore. Smebs evolution from a subpar player to being the second-best player in the world has made the Tigers what it is today.Heres how Smebs MVP standing has looked during the past four splits in Korea:Spring 2015: Third Summer 2015: Fourth Spring 2016: First Summer 2016: First (Halfway through season)Sadly for Smeb and the Tigers, Smebs legacy (if he retired today) would be the most bittersweet. Hes one of the best top laners of all time, but not the best because of his lack of a title. Smeb needs that championship to establish himself as one of the greats.If T1 did sign Smeb, that would majorly damage its closest competitor and bring on a player that has been top four in MVP voting and is an upgrade when it comes to communication. With Faker, Smeb and Bae Bang Jun-sik, the reigning champions of all major international competitions would possess three of the best five or six players on the entire planet.OK, lets end this before we give SK Telecom any ideas. Clearance College Basketball Jerseys . PETERSBURG, Fla. Cheap College Jerseys . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. http://www.cheapcollegejerseys.net/ . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. Stitched NCAA Jerseys . The Barrie Colts defenceman, who impressed many with his play for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, is the top-ranked skater in the February rankings. He has 19 goals and 24 assists for 43 points in 45 games with the Colts this season. Wholesale NCAA Jerseys . -- Arizona knocked off some quality opponents, rolled over a few overmatched ones and grinded out victories even when things didnt go so well. STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Kamryn Pettway ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns, Sean White threw for 204 yards and a touchdown and Auburn cruised to a 38-14 win over Mississippi State on Saturday.The 6-foot, 240-pound Pettway was dominant for the Tigers, running around and through Mississippi States defense as Auburn built a 35-0 halftime lead. The sophomore thrived even with a huge workload, carrying the ball 27 times for 125 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. He finished with 39 carries.White had a great view of Pettways career day, turning to hand the ball to him all afternoon. Understandably, he was impressed.Hes a beast of a running back, White said. Hes just a tough runner. Hell get the tough yards. It might not always be pretty, but hes a really good asset for us to have.Pettways role was increased after starting running back Kerryon Johnson suffered a right ankle injury in the first quarter and didnt return.Auburn (4-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) has won three straight and now gets two weeks to rest before facing Arkansas on Oct. 22.We really like the momentum we have, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. Weve talked about getting better each week and weve done that. Were in a good spot.Mississippi State (2-3, 1-2) actually had a little momentum in the games opening minutes when Kivon Coman intercepted a deflected pass to give the Bulldogs great field position at the Auburn 19. But five plays later, Westin Graves missed a 28-yard field goal.It only got worse for Mississippi State.Auburn scored touchdowns on five of its next seven drives to take control of the game.ddddddddddddBy late in the second quarter, boos could be heard from the home crowd as Mississippi States listless offense took the field.Mississippi States Nick Fitzgerald threw for 181 yards and two touchdowns, but almost all that damage came in the second half when Auburn already had control of the game.I wish there was one thing I could point my finger to and say that was it, Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen said. But theres not. It was a lot of things.THE TAKEAWAYAuburn: The Tigers showed they might be a factor in the SEC Western Division race after an impressive win. Even after Johnsons injury early in the game, Pettway was able to anchor the running game. White might not be flashy at quarterback, but hes consistent and makes good decisions.Mississippi State: The Bulldogs streak of making the postseason in six straight seasons appears to be in serious jeopardy.?POLL IMPLICATIONSAuburn: The Tigers received 46 votes in last weeks rankings and could jump into the top 25 after an impressive road SEC win.UP NEXTAuburn: The Tigers get a week off to rest before a home game against Arkansas on Oct. 22.Mississippi State: The Bulldogs have a quick turnaround, travelling to face BYU in a non-conference on Friday.-----Follow David Brandt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/davidbrandtAP . AP College Football website: www.collegefootball.ap.org . ' ' '