Yaxel Lendeborg from the Warriors shares sincere thoughts about Steph Curry and Steve Kerr

Warriors Draft Jaksel Lendeborg, Who Reflects on His Journey

Right after the Warriors picked Jaksel Lendeborg, a standout from Michigan, with the 11th overall selection in the NBA draft, he dropped some hints suggesting he might need to brush up on his public relations skills.

In recent interviews, Lendeborg didn’t hold back about his past perceptions of Stephen Curry and the coaching style of Steve Kerr—who has a reputation for keeping rookies off the court early in their careers.

During a press conference for his induction on Tuesday, Lendeborg openly confessed that he was not a fan of Curry, admitting that he was more drawn to Kyrie Irving, a former star for the Cavaliers.

“Honestly, it feels surreal. I say this every time someone mentions it. Back in 2016, I was totally team Kyrie and wasn’t too fond of Steph,” Lendeborg shared. “Now, here I am, getting the chance to be on his team, learn from him, and play alongside him. That’s really special to me.”

He added, “I’ve met him a few times, and he’s just an amazing person. It’s such a privilege to see him work up close. Honestly, I can’t wait.”

There’s nothing wrong with looking back at your old fanhood, right? So, it makes sense that Lendeborg, who faced Irving and the Cavaliers in the Finals three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017, feels a connection to Curry and the Warriors. After all, Irving lost to Curry’s team twice, in 2015 and 2017.

When the topic shifted to his discussions with Kerr, Lendeborg pointed out that Kerr isn’t known for giving rookies much playing time. Yet, given the current state of the Warriors, he believes he might actually get some minutes—possibly even a starting role, depending on what the coach decides.

“Sure, he doesn’t often lean on rookies. That’s part of his history. But considering the team’s realities right now, I think I’ve got a pretty good shot to play and maybe even start,” Lendeborg mentioned during a media gathering on Friday. “Just that possibility keeps me motivated.”

It’s worth noting that the Warriors aren’t the powerhouse they used to be, having slipped since their last championship in the 2021-2022 season. They’ve found themselves at the lower end of the Western Conference standings and just wrapped up their first losing season since 2019-2020, finishing with a 15-50 record—though that’s without stars like Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson.

Still, Lendeborg has praise for Kerr. He appreciates what the coach has accomplished since taking the helm back in May 2014.

“I respect that he’s a Hall of Fame coach. He played under another Hall of Fame coach and learned a lot while on the court with some of the best,” he reflected. “I really want to show him that I’m eager to learn and that I align with his values and approach to the game.”