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Luka's 'Not Michael Jordan,' Yaxel Lendeborg Addresses Trash Talk in Video, 'I'm Not Afraid'
· Confirmed
In Short: Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg sparked a feud with Luka Doncic, declaring he's not afraid to talk to anyone and that Doncic is not Michael Jordan.
Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg ignited a heated feud with Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Doncic after their season opener, where Lendeborg recorded his first double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
During the game, Lendeborg and Doncic engaged in physical and verbal exchanges, with Lendeborg picking up a technical foul for trash talk. Doncic, in response, called Lendeborg '24 and a rookie' and told him to 'relax,' according to Heavy.com.
Lendeborg addressed the media after the Warriors' loss to the Grizzlies, stating, 'I'm not afraid to talk to nobody. He's not Michael Jordan,' via Anthony Slater of BasketNews.com. He also admitted that he may have gone too far in the media.
Lendeborg further criticized Doncic, saying he lost all respect for the Lakers star due to his constant whining and complaining to the officials. 'I had a lot of respect for him, but being in there firsthand, watching all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect for him,' Lendeborg told ClutchPoints.
The feud escalated during the second quarter when Lendeborg was called for a technical foul and Doncic drained a buzzer-beater, according to Bleacher Report. Lendeborg later told reporters, 'I'm not afraid' of anyone, and Doncic 'sucks,' via Bleacher Report.
Lendeborg's bold approach caught the attention of his coach, Steve Kerr, who appreciated his attitude but noted that he needs to be more aggressive and avoid technical fouls. 'I feel like I did kinda take it overboard in the media, but it is what it is,' Lendeborg added.
Despite the tension, Lendeborg's strong personality and willingness to speak his mind have earned him a fan favorite status among Warriors fans, drawing louder applause in pregame introductions than anyone not named Stephen Curry or Draymond Green.
Lendeborg's clash with Doncic continued in a game against the Phoenix Suns on PT on Prime Video, giving him another opportunity to face the player he has publicly criticized.
Lendeborg's ex-teammates from the Lakers, including Doncic's former teammates, have also chimed in, supporting Lendeborg's stance.
While Lendeborg's boldness has garnered attention, some analysts believe that opening night was not the best time to start trash talking a player clearly above him in experience and skill.
Lendeborg's journey continues as he navigates the NBA, with many believing he will be a great player in the future, despite the current challenges.
Lendeborg's comments and actions have sparked a significant debate among fans and analysts, with some supporting his boldness and others questioning his approach.
What's confirmed
- "I'm not afraid to talk to nobody. He's not Michael Jordan," Lendeborg said to reporters after a 108-111 loss against the Grizzlies on Friday, via Anthony Slater.
- “I’m not supposed to talk to him, something like that,” Lendeborg replied, chuckling.
What's still developing
- Luka Doncic Los Angeles Lakers Position PG, SG Age 27 Height 203 cm Weight 104 kg Birth place Ljubljana, Slovenia Profile Statistics Lendeborg locked horns with Doncic in the season opener between the Warriors and the Lakers.
- Lendeborg showed up for Golden State with 18 points, 13 rebounds, six assists and three steals in 37 minutes.
- Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg isn't backing down from his comments about Luka Dončić after the Los Angeles Lakers' season-opening victory on Wednesday.
- Lendeborg has shown a desire to talk boldly from Summer League and various media appearances.
- Doncic’s name still came up Friday night at Chase Center, and once again Lendeborg showed his penchant for biting honesty.
- “I would definitely have to be way more aggressive,” Lendeborg, wearing a Chris Webber throwback Warriors jersey, said of likely facing the Suns without Curry.
- “I think I definitely threw the game away myself, because of all those turnovers,” Lendeborg said.
- Yaxel Lendeborg is more than happy to keep on poking the bear.
- Golden State tasked Lendeborg with defending Doncic for a sizable chunk of the game, and Lendeborg made sure to get in plenty of trash talk in the process.