The Golden State Warriors just snagged the 2026 NBA Summer League title in Las Vegas, and honestly, they might have done it with an unfair advantage. Turns out, they’ve been using a “secret weapon” for the last five years, a training facility nicknamed “Chase South” that’s been their home away from home, tucked away 25 minutes from the Vegas strip.
The Warriors’ $1 Million Secret Weapon Nobody Else Has
This isn’t just some rented gym. We’re talking about a former go-kart track, bought by owners Eric Bauman and Claire Kohatsu, and then turned into an elite basketball facility. The Warriors don’t own “Chase South” outright, but they get to use it during the summer and at other key times throughout the year. And get this: they’ve poured nearly $1 million into the place, kitting it out with new training equipment and even decking it out with Warriors banners and signage. The commitment is real, even housing two of the actual courts they’ve played on at Chase Center. That’s next-level dedication, right?
Rookie first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg, who just earned NBA Summer League MVP honors, couldn’t believe it when he first saw the place. He told Nick Friedell of The Athletic, “It’s definitely ridiculous. I was looking at the wall when I first walked in like, ‘Do they do this for every NBA team?’ And then they’re like, ‘No, this is ours only’ Like, what?” His reaction tells you everything. This isn’t standard NBA fare. Warriors assistant general manager Larry Harris gave all the credit to governor Joe Lacob, explaining how Lacob always pushes for any edge. Harris said, “I don’t know what the other 29 teams are doing. I’ve told people that will ever listen, ‘No,’ just doesn’t come out of his mouth. [He’s asking], ‘What can we do to be better? What can we do on the margins to do something that’s a little bit different, gives us an advantage?’” It’s clear: no other team has anything quite like Chase South, which absolutely gives the Warriors a distinct advantage.
Can Lendeborg and the Veterans Turn the Tide?
The Warriors are going to need every single advantage they can get for the upcoming 2026-27 season. Why? Because they’re basically running back the same squad that stumbled to a 35-47 record last season, finishing 10th in the Western Conference. That’s not good enough, and they know it. Lendeborg’s MVP run and his awe at the “Chase South” facility signal he could provide a much-needed shot in the arm. But let’s be real, the heavy lifting still falls on the shoulders of the veterans. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, and Jimmy Butler, once he’s back from his torn ACL, will have to deliver big time. Can this secret weapon really push them to make a significant jump in the standings? We’re all watching to see if this unique preparation translates to wins when it truly counts.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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