Golden State Warriors fans should know by now that rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is a confident fellow. He is not afraid to speak his mind which may rub some the wrong way like his teammate Draymond Green, but others love the rookie’s willingness to talk smack and stir the pot a little
For those who like his fiery style, Lendeborg took a recent shot across the bow at noted Warriors enemy Dillon Brooks of the Phoenix Suns. Lendeborg appeared to be live-streaming while playing a video game and one of the viewers asked him if he was ready to go up against Brooks and the Suns.
“I’m finna give Dillon Brooks belt, man. Stop playin’ bruh," the 11th overall pick responded.
That is music to Warriors fans’ ears. Brooks has been a thorn in Golden State’s side for quite a while now. Many will remember how he broke the elbow of Gary Payton II back in the 2022 playoffs, and how he got away with a dirty hit on Stephen Curry last season.
Brooks is not afraid to play the villain at all, so it’s refreshing to hear a rookie say that he is more than willing to go toe to toe with a veteran whose bad reputation precedes him.
Yaxel Lendeborg has to back up his smack talk next season
Of course, talking smack like this could always backfire. If Brooks has a big game against the Warriors next season and Lendeborg struggles, his words will be thrown right back in his face. Then again, if he steps up to the challenge and has a great game against Brooks and the Sunns, everyone will say that he called his shot.
Maybe that’s what the Warriors need this upcoming season. Lendeborg can provide not just a much-needed infusion of youth but also an infusion of swagger. The Warriors have lost a bit of their swagger in recent years as they’ve slowly fallen from a perennial championship contender to a perennial Play-In team.
It would be a very positive development if the team felt a little more dangerous next year, almost as if they’re playing with nothing to lose and that they know no one is really giving them much of a shot. Why not leave it all out there and take their best swing at every team they face?
The Suns bounced the Warriors from the Play-In last season, leaving the hope that the Dubs can get a little redemption on Brooks and Phoenix next time they play. Lendeborg certainly has the confidence, but now he has to go and back it up on the court.
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