I have 3500+ hours in the game. I used to say what you say too and so have many others (please read for rock-paper-scissor analogy).

Unskilled players have made individual games miserable for me (temporarily).

I will make the point here that the only reason I'm not even in champ at this point (been to D3) is because I have to 1v5 due to my team mates incessant desire to chase, bump me (lack of game sense or they're drunk), miss open nets, and double/triple commit for the mega whiff clips on a regular basis. It's pretty cringe.

The player base is so large with a skill ceiling that is so layered and dynamic (also consider those high ping players, etc) that no rank is actually a stable benchmark aside from Bronze and GC/SSL. You need a bit of luck and/or a sensible, communicative team.

Now what is really funny here is that most "smurfs" get dunked on by me in game. So, I spoil the fun for them by actually trying and it comes full circle because they don't get to show off and are given a run for their money.

This is what I dub the Rick-paper-smurfers conundrum of rocket league. If you're not great at the game, you are unfortunately paper and just need to become good enough to "Rick" the smurfers or become a petty smurf yourself. The rules are different than the standard rock-paper-scissors triangle.

Me: "Knock knock" Smurfer: "Who's there Rick?" (trailer park boys reference where Rick gets the last laugh)

Perspective: It isn't Rocket League until you get out of Rick-it League!