Yaxel Lendeborg, Golden State’s No. 11 draft pick and a national champion from Michigan, is already being tasked with a massive burden: run the team’s offense when Steph Curry sits. That’s a huge ask for any rookie, let alone one who just lost his preseason opener to the Clippers on Sunday, scoring only four points in 19 minutes.
Draymond Green Wants What He Wants
Before Lendeborg could even fully process his first professional game, security officers flagged him down in the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s arena. Draymond Green was looking for him. Of course, Lendeborg called him up. What did the veteran need? “I need 10 cold Waiakea waters,” Green told him, according to Lendeborg himself, who was grinning about it. Picture this: one of the league’s most exciting rookies, just minutes after his preseason debut, bent over in a locker room hallway, wrestling ten cold waters from a cooler. Even with a 7-foot-4 wingspan, carrying that many bottles is tough, and he fumbled a few before a staffer swooped in with a plastic bag. Green, naturally, was already gone. “Just gotta bring it to him, I guess,” Lendeborg said, still smiling. That’s rookie duty, folks, even for a 24-year-old Michigan All-American who Green has taken under his wing as a veteran mentor. “Just gotta face the music,” Lendeborg cheerfully added.
The On-Court Pressure Is REAL
This kid was drafted No. 11 in June, fresh off a national championship, and Golden State is banking on him to have a veteran’s impact this season. Head coach Steve Kerr didn’t mince words after Sunday’s game: “He’s very capable of being our lead offensive threat when Steph’s off the floor.” Kerr praised Lendeborg’s ability to “connect the game beautifully,” making “easy play over and over again” and “looks good shooting the ball.” This isn’t some low-stakes development project; this is a massive burden in a win-now situation, especially with Curry at age 38. Lendeborg’s been open about his struggles with confidence, but he believes he can be that guy when Curry’s not on the floor. He’s not looking to be a primary scorer, though. His plan is to be a playmaker, getting everyone involved, and taking open shots when they come. He just wants to “control and handle the team and offense” when Curry is off the court.
If Sunday’s opener in Honolulu was any sign, it’s gonna be a slow burn. Lendeborg drained an open corner three within the first 30 seconds off a Curry drive-and-kick, thinking it meant a “huge game.” He scored just one more point and missed all five of his other shots in his 19 total minutes on the floor. The road to becoming the player Golden State needs means making mistakes and earning veteran respect, whether it’s on the court or by lugging around cold Waiakea waters.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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