Last weekend, the new
FlyQuest roster faced their second
LCS series, taking on Disguised in a 2-1 victory. The win, while less one-sided than they might’ve hoped, featured a major bright spot: the performance of
FLY’s promising new jungler Johnson “Gryffinn” Le. It was one of his very first wins in the LCS, having spent the last two years abroad, playing in Korea for T1 Rookies and in
Brazil for LOUD, a more-than-unique early career for an NA player. To discuss the series, his career so far, and future on FLY,
Sheep Esports sat down for an exclusive post-series interview with Gryffinn.
You played Ambessa and Qiyana, and lately, you've been teasing the potential of Riven jungle. Are these carry AD jungle picks the new FLY style?
Johnson "Gryffinn" Le: "I personally wouldn’t say so. It’s just, like, the situation presented itself for them to look like good picks, but they don’t necessarily have to be the main picks.
Six years ago, in your Reddit AMA after hitting Challenger at age 13, you were considering whether or not you should join the LCS one day. Now, after a journey that's taken you around the world, you're finally here. How does it feel?
Gryffinn: Yeah, I mean, it feels great to be playing in the LCS. Generally speaking, I did not expect to be here one day. You know? It’s been so much time, and it seemed like such a distant goal, that I’d been chasing for so long. So, I’m glad that I can play LCS, represent FlyQuest, and represent NA as a whole.
How does the LCS compare so far to the other leagues you've played in? Is the level much higher than the LCK Academy Series and the LTA South?
Gryffinn: In terms of the LCK Academy Series, yes, I’d say the level is higher. But, LTA South, I don’t think their level is that bad, to be honest. Compared to LCS, there’s some things that are similar, but I don’t think the level is too much better. Obviously, last year, FlyQuest was a team that was just a lot better, but I feel like that was quite the exception. But in terms of overall level, I’d say CBLOL and LCS aren’t like a big gap, for sure.
In Korea, you lived with Nick “LS” De Cesare, who’s joining FlyQuest soon as strategic consultant. What do you expect him to bring to the group dynamic and the strategy on FLY?
Gryffinn: To be honest, I have no idea, because I wasn’t even aware that it was going to happen. Or like, not “aware it was going to happen,” but, not too sure what level it’s happening at, and how involved he’s going to be, because we haven’t really experienced it yet. We haven’t done anything with him yet, so I’m not too sure.
Have you spoken to him at all lately about what his role on the team could look like?
Gryffinn: I’m not too sure, I think right now it’s loose in the air. Right now it’s not definitive; I’m assuming he’ll help wherever he can.
Another coach you have some familiarity with is Christian “IWDominate” Rivera, who did jungle coaching with you years and years ago. Are you excited to face him and Cloud9?
Gryffinn: I mean, it’s actually insane to think about: six years ago, I think Dom was like legit the OG OG, trying to help an upcoming player and jungler. It’s insane to be like, he helped me six years ago, up-and-coming prospect. And, you know, he didn’t need to. He did it out of his own grace, and I’m really thankful for that. He’s legit one of the OGs, that just helped me for no reason, so I’m really grateful for him. Honestly, I’m a pretty big fan of him too, I watch a lot of his content, and yeah, I appreciate his content a lot. So, it’s gonna be amazing that six years later, what a coincidence that six years later we’re gonna be competing on stage next week.
Gryffinn: I'm happy that he thinks that way. I think, the first day of scrims, the team was surprised with my level. In terms of where I think I rank among the junglers, I’m pretty confident. But I think it’s useless to think where your power ranking is, in terms of where you are, your level compared to the league. Because, for me, I believe if I play well, I’ll just be better than everyone in the jungle role. This is always my mindset: it doesn’t really matter how well my opponent is playing, because if I play better, or if I play to my maximum potential, then I’ll just be better than them. So I don't really care too much about power rankings or whatever. But I will humbly say that I can prove I’m a top jungler this split, and we’ll keep at it that.
Last offseason you wrote, on your choice to leave LOUD, that your other direction “aligns more closely with your vision and long-term goals.” Talk about your vision and goals, and your hopes to realize them on FlyQuest.
Gryffinn: Yeah, I mean, FlyQuest is a great org. And they really value League, I think they’re League first. They really have a good infrastructure, in which they plan for future success. I feel like they had a good vision in mind with this new roster: a bunch of young players with a big ceiling, basically. And I believe that we could actually do well, win the league, and have international success with time.
And finally, in the LCS IS BACK promo video, you said there are “old folks boutta retire” in the LCS. Any players in particular you think are the most retirement-bound?
Gryffinn: Heh, I mean, I don't want to call out people. I think generally speaking, if you look at the league, there's a lot of old folks, and a lot of LCK CL players. So, my hope is that we as FlyQuest do well this year, and show other orgs that there might be NA talent, that you don't have to just import someone, stuff like this. And there is NA talent, 'cause some NA talent could be getting shots that they deserve that orgs are overlooking. So my hope is that we do well this year, and kind of open orgs' eyes for other NA talents that might be going to EU. So yeah, I hope we do well for them."
