Thorin’s Take on s1mple’s Potential NAVI Comeback: A Calculated Gamble

Renowned CS2 analyst Duncan “Thorin” Shields has offered his perspective on the potential return of Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostylev to Natus Vincere (NAVI). Thorin believes that while this move would be risky, it could be a justified decision for the organization.

Thorin acknowledges that NAVI’s coach, Andrii “B1ad3” Horodenskyi, might be hesitant about the change, as his approach to CS2 focuses on winning without relying on star players like s1mple. However, Thorin argues that NAVI should consider taking this risk, noting that replacing Ihor “w0nderful” Zhdanov with s1mple may not be a significant loss, given w0nderful’s inconsistent performances in crucial matches.

The analyst emphasizes that even if s1mple doesn’t return to his peak form, his contributions in key rounds and on specific maps could greatly benefit NAVI. Thorin points out that s1mple’s prowess on maps like Nuke and Train could address some of NAVI’s current weaknesses.

Thorin also highlights s1mple’s immense popularity within the CS community, suggesting that his comeback could be a monumental event in esports. He notes that despite minimal playtime in 2024, s1mple still ranked among the top three most popular players on HLTV.org, surpassing even active top performers like Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut.

The potential return of s1mple to NAVI, according to Thorin, could reignite interest in CS2, potentially breaking viewership records and becoming one of the biggest stories in esports in recent years.

Thorin concludes by advising NAVI to consider this risky move, especially if they aim to maintain their status as a top-tier team. He suggests that the organization might want to time this decision carefully, possibly towards the end of the season, but emphasizes that bringing s1mple back could be a worthwhile gamble for NAVI to regain their competitive edge.