Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has certainly been making waves early in the NBA season, but Denver Nuggets forward and NBA champion Aaron Gordon just dropped some heavy wisdom on the young phenom, straight up warning him that this league is going to humble him. It’s a message every new guy needs to hear, and Gordon delivered it with the weight of experience.
Yaxel Lendeborg’s Big Start Has Everyone Talking
We all knew Yaxel Lendeborg was going to be a big deal for the Warriors. Head coach Steve Kerr was hyping him up during preseason, talking about how critical he’d be for the offense. And man, Lendeborg has delivered, taking the reins of the offense when Steph Curry is out or catching a breather on the bench. He admitted he was shocked by the opportunity at first. “Well, it’s very shocking to hear it now. But I mean, I get the point. The two other guys are hurt. Jimmy was one of the main scorers on this team. So, going to have to try to fill in his role until he gets back. And I’ve been in positions where I’ve had to score the ball a lot, I guess, or an extra amount that I would like. I feel like I’ll be able to step into that role for sure. Just got to continue to work at it, get the confidence to do that. But I mean, I feel like everything’s going to be trending up the right way,” Lendeborg said. Talk about stepping up when the team needs you most.
He’s already gone head to head with the best, even facing off against Luka Doncic. And here’s where it gets spicy: Lendeborg straight up said he lost respect for Doncic after their first matchup. That’s a rookie not backing down, for sure. He’s been a fantastic addition for Golden State, and there is no sign of him slowing down. This kid is mature, too. If a superstar gets the best of him in a game, he is not going to let it bother him. Instead, he uses those moments as motivation to improve. You gotta love that fire!
Aaron Gordon Knows The Score, And He Is Not Pulling Punches
But even with all that fire, Aaron Gordon, a guy who knows what it takes to win a championship, decided to share some unfiltered advice with Lendeborg. He is telling it like it is. Gordon’s message for the rookie phenom: “As far as like your NBA journey, just stay with it. There’s some freaks in this League you know what I mean? Like real monsters in this League. This sh*t will humble you. I thought I was the #1 option in Orlando, not really. Got to Denver, took a couple of steps back, won a championship, improved my game now. Know this League is going to humble you, just always bring that sh*t, what you learned from, like your mom’s, what you learned from the job, bring that, bring that. That’s why the Warriors picked you.”
That’s real talk from a guy who’s been through it. Gordon thought he was the main man in Orlando, then had to adjust, take “a couple of steps back,” and then BAM, he’s a champion in Denver. His advice is invaluable, a reminder that the NBA is a beast and you’ve gotta be ready for every challenge. Lendeborg’s early confidence is great, but Gordon’s wisdom is about the long game, about staying grounded and working through the inevitable humbling moments this league will throw at you.
This is a crossroads moment for the rookie. He’s got the talent and the early success, but how he absorbs Gordon’s hard-hitting advice, how he handles those humbling moments, that’s what will truly define his season and his career. Keep your eyes on Lendeborg, because how he processes this wisdom will shape everything that’s to come.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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