has ranked gotten more competitive?

Dear fellow summoners and stupid Yasuos,

I have been playing ranked since season 1, yes I have Judgement Kayle ;)

I can tell it's getting harder and harder(so are my fists) to climb, I'm happily on a win streak but my last game on Silver 2 was so close, and I feel everyone is very good and knows how to play like what Gold 2 players would do in a few years back.

Thoughts? Does the player base actually get better or the just the smurfs are everywhere.