Isaac Cummings-Bentley is a name that might not ring a bell for casual fans, but if you mention Azael League of Legends enthusiasts know exactly who you are talking about. He is the guy with the deep voice, the sharp analysis, and that weirdly impressive history in competitive gaming that predates most of his current audience. If you’ve tuned into the LCS (League of Legends Championship Series) over the last decade, his presence is as much a part of the furniture as the Rift itself. But how did a World of Warcraft champion end up as the definitive voice for Riot Games' flagship esport? It wasn't just luck.
He has a way of cutting through the noise. While some casters lean heavily into the hype—the screaming, the "oh my god" moments—Azael tends to play the role of the steady hand. He’s the one explaining why a jungler’s pathing at the three-minute mark actually lost them the game ten minutes later. It's high-level stuff, yet he delivers it like he’s just chatting with you at a bar. Honestly, that’s why people stick around.
The World of Warcraft DNA in Azael League of Legends Analysis
Most people don't realize Azael was a literal world champion before he ever touched a League of Legends mic. He dominated the WoW arena scene with Evil Geniuses. That matters. When you listen to him break down a chaotic teamfight in the LCS, you’re hearing someone who spent thousands of hours in a high-pressure, three-versus-three environment where one missed cooldown meant a loss.
That "pro player brain" is his secret weapon.
Most casters fall into two categories: the "play-by-play" (the hype guys) and the "color" (the analysts). Azael is the gold standard for color commentary because he doesn't just parrot what is happening on the screen. He predicts what needs to happen. If a team is trailing by five thousand gold, he isn't just saying they’re losing; he’s pinpointing the exact win condition they need to hunt for.
He joined the Riot team back in 2016. Think about that for a second. In the world of esports, a decade is a lifetime. Players come and go. Teams rebrand or go bankrupt. Entire games rise and fall. Through all that volatility, he stayed. He’s seen the rise of the Golden Guardians, the fall of TSM, and the endless "North America is doomed" narratives. He’s the historian we didn't know we needed.
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Why the Community Actually Listens to Him
Let's be real: the League of Legends community is notoriously difficult to please. One wrong take on Twitter and you’re a meme for a month. Yet, Azael manages to navigate these waters with surprising grace. Why? Because he isn't afraid to be wrong, but he’s usually right enough that it doesn't matter.
The "The Dive" Podcast Impact
You can't talk about Azael League of Legends content without mentioning The Dive. It’s the weekly podcast where he, alongside other personalities like Kobe and Jatt, breaks down the state of the game. It’s arguably more influential than the actual broadcast for hardcore fans.
- It’s raw.
- They argue about patch notes like your friends do.
- It provides context that a three-minute post-game interview can't touch.
- It humanizes the "suit and tie" analyst desk.
When Azael talks about a champion being "broken" on The Dive, it ripples through the solo queue meta. People actually change how they play based on his logic. That’s a level of influence very few "entertainers" ever reach. He isn't just a talking head; he’s an architect of the game’s culture.
Facing the Criticism and the "Caster Curse"
No one is immune to the "Caster Curse." Azael has called games where he says a team has "scaled perfectly" only to watch them get wiped thirty seconds later. It happens. The beauty of his style is that he leans into it. He doesn't try to hide behind a script.
There was a time when fans complained that he was too critical of certain teams. There was a narrative that he "hated" specific North American rosters because he called out their lack of aggression. But looking back at those VODs, he was usually just pointing out the obvious flaws that eventually got those teams knocked out of Worlds. He values excellence. If you’re playing "scared League of Legends," he’s going to call it out. Every single time.
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Beyond the Desk: Azael’s Versatility
He isn't just a League guy anymore. We’ve seen him branch out into fighting games and other titles, proving that his analytical framework works across the board. But League of Legends is clearly his home. He’s developed a shorthand with the other casters—especially CaptainFlowers—that makes the broadcast feel cohesive. When Flowers is going 100 miles per hour during a pentakill, Azael is the one who catches the breath of the audience and explains how the positioning made that play possible.
The Technical Nuance
Most viewers see a big Ultimate go off and think, "Cool!" Azael sees the Itemization. He sees that the mid-laner bought a Banshee's Veil specifically to negate the engage. He points out the "invisible" work.
If you want to get better at the game, stop watching "Pro Player Tips" videos and just listen to an Azael VOD. He talks about map pressure and wave states in a way that actually makes sense for someone stuck in Silver or Gold. He bridges the gap between the 0.01% of players and the rest of us.
The Future of the LCS and Azael's Role
The LCS has gone through some massive changes recently. Smaller studios, different schedules, and a shift in how content is delivered. Throughout this "new era," the veterans have become more important than ever. Azael League of Legends commentary provides a sense of continuity. When everything else feels like it’s shifting, having a familiar voice tell you that the "Counter Logic Gaming" spirit is still alive (or dead) matters.
He has also become a bit of a fashion icon on the desk—or at least a point of discussion. From the well-tailored suits to the occasional more casual "gamer" looks, he fits the professionalization of the sport. Esports isn't just kids in a basement anymore; it’s a multi-billion dollar industry, and he looks the part.
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Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Aspiring Analysts
If you are looking to follow in his footsteps or just want to appreciate his work more, there are specific things you should look for next time he’s on the desk.
- Watch his eyes during teamfights. If you see the player cams or the desk segments, notice how he is looking at the gold leads and the item spikes, not just the kills.
- Listen for the "Why" not the "What." Any caster can tell you that Kai'Sa died. Azael will tell you she died because she burned her flash three minutes ago for a kill that didn't actually matter in the long run.
- Engage with The Dive. If you want the full Azael experience, the live broadcast isn't enough. The podcast is where the real nuance happens.
- Adopt his "Win Condition" mindset. Next time you play a game of solo queue, try to identify your team's win condition the way he does. Is it soul? Is it a 1-3-1 split push? Is it just waiting for the enemy to throw?
Azael is more than just a commentator. He is a translator for one of the most complex games ever created. Whether you love his bluntness or find him too analytical, you can’t deny that the League of Legends scene would be significantly quieter—and a lot less informed—without him. He’s the pro who stayed, the analyst who actually knows what he’s talking about, and the voice that defines the North American scene.
Next time you hear that voice over a chaotic Baron fight, pay attention. You’re likely about to learn something your coach never told you.
To truly understand the impact of his casting, go back and watch the 2016-2018 era games versus the modern era. The evolution of his casting mirrors the evolution of the game itself—more refined, faster, and much, much deeper than it looks on the surface.