Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg had an extraordinary NBA debut as he jawed with Luka Dončić and admitted he had largely been exposed to the league through highlights before turning professional. Lendeborg was given the task of guarding the Los Angeles Lakers star for large parts of Wednesday’s game, which Dončić’s team won 127-105. However, Lendeborg said he “lost all respect” for Dončić’s quest for foul calls during the game.
But being in it firsthand and seeing all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect.” Lendeborg was the No 11 overall pick by the Warriors in this year’s draft after helping Michigan win the NCAA Tournament. He had early success shutting down Dončić, but the six-time All-Star went on to score 28 points in the Lakers’ victory. In the second quarter, Dončić was fouled by Lendeborg after a pump fake and celebrated in front of the rookie.
Congratulations, bro,” Lendeborg said. It kind of threw me off because I have so much respect for him. Gone.” Lendeborg was given a technical for jawing at Dončić.
You talk but you can’t score on me. I said it the whole game. I said a couple cuss words, obviously.
That’s why I got the technical. But I was letting him know.” Lendeborg seemed unimpressed by the league in general after his debut. Interesting first game for me.” Lendeborg had already made an impression before his debut.
He admitted he used to hate his new teammate Stephen Curry because he was a fan of one of his playing rivals, Kyrie Irving. Warriors veteran Draymond Green, who is not shy of expressing his own opinions, had no problems with the rookie’s attitude. Everybody will say, ‘Oh, the rookie learned his lesson.’ What’d he learn?
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