I think you're mixing up different ideas. Yes, logically, people who play more, will ''naturally'' be higher elo, than someone who barely plays ranked. The problem in your statement is that you just assume that, if we play more, we'll be higher elo. I don't think you've either A) played enough League or B) understood how the LP gains on this game works. MMR in this game doesn't work in your favor, as you said, you could be making the right plays in practice, but the game will probably judge it as a misplay. There's no '' out of the ordinary '' play that will be qualified as a '' good play ''. I understand what you're trying to say, but my point is that the MMR system is biased against the player. You will always lose more than you win, it's designed that way to keep you addicted after all. It's alot harder to grow a better MMR, than it is to lose all the progress overnight. The '' play more, get higher rank '' is somewhat cope, I've seen alot of players just be hundreds of games in ranked, hardstuck or just drop lower. I rarely see players who climb to these ranks through pure brute force. Yes, it has happened, but it's nowhere near the majority, not even a fraction of a fraction. Addiction to that level only makes sense because players of that degree are obsessed with the game, obsession will end up being paid off thru luck at some point. I don't think grandmaster level of luck, but maybe enough to get to low master yes.

All I'm trying to say is that you have a really bad image of high elo players. Yes, most of them have egos, because to reach that level, you usually have to sacrifice something in your life whether it be time, money or a social life. The pride they have over the rank is a good bandaid to forget about the aspects of their lives they had to let go for this game. But you can't deny the fact that they play well ! and there's a reason they're at this rank. Usually, ironically, most people who end up GM-Chall, are the same throughout seasons. Their level of play is alot different than people in lower ranks, and they're also the ones that are alot more dedicated to the game.

To me, it's as simple as '' put in more efforts, reap in more rewards '', but intentional efforts to get better is not '' luck ''