Big Scandal in Dota 2! Heroic Kicks Parker, and He Speaks Out

Heroic has officially benched David "Parker" Flores following a controversial incident during the South American qualifiers for ESL One Bangkok.

The organization released a statement explaining their decision:

“Today, we are benching Parker. This decision follows an incident during the final of the South American qualifiers, where disagreements regarding strategies led Parker to display a lack of will to win. This behavior does not align with the professional standards Heroic upholds.

We recognize Parker’s immense talent and contribution to the team, but we cannot accept this level of unprofessional conduct, which also reflects prior incidents.

We are open to discussing a transfer for Parker if any parties are interested. Yuma will stand in for the team at BLAST Slam.”

Parker’s Side of the Story

In late October, Parker criticized teammate Cedric “Davai Lama” Deckmyn during a livestream, accusing him of poor behavior and a lack of commitment to the game. Despite these tensions, Heroic managed to win the PGL Wallachia Championship earlier in October.

After being benched, Parker responded with a detailed statement, shedding light on the internal conflicts within the team:

1. Drafting Disputes: Parker claimed coach Kaffs ignored his suggestions, forcing him to play heroes he believed were unsuitable, such as Dragon Knight against Bristleback.
2. In-Game Tensions: Parker alleged that teammate KJ insulted him mid-game, escalating the team’s already strained atmosphere.
3. Issues with Davai Lama: Parker accused Davai Lama of poor performances, low morale, and lack of focus, stating:“He destroyed me emotionally after our DreamLeague loss. He played other games, neglected Dota, and contributed to a toxic environment.”
4. Leadership Challenges: Parker felt sidelined in draft discussions, as decisions favored the Brazilian members of the team.
5. Criticism of Kaffs: Parker called out the coach for ego-driven decisions, claiming Kaffs took full credit for victories.

Seeking a Fresh Start

Following the announcement, Parker declared his intent to join a new team in any region.

“I’ve reached my limit. I’m ready to move on and focus on a fresh opportunity.”

Heroic’s Perspective

Heroic justified Parker’s removal by pointing to his perceived lack of effort during the ESL One Bangkok qualifier. They emphasized maintaining a high standard of professionalism within the organization.

While Heroic moves forward with Yuma, Parker’s revelations raise questions about the team’s internal dynamics, potentially impacting its reputation in the competitive Dota 2 scene.