Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg created plenty of headlines after Wednesday's season opener against the Los Angeles Lakers, having gone head-to-head with Luka Doncic in a fascinating battle at Crypto.com Arena.
Doncic and the Lakers may have won the battle, but the way in which Lendeborg carried himself, particularly during the game, suggests the Warriors have a star on their hands after drafting him 11th overall in June.
Yaxel Lendeborg shows that Warriors have a star on their hands
Draymond Green said prior to Lendeborg's debut on Wednesday that Golden State have found the next face of their franchise, alluding not just to the 24-year-old's game but his character and vibrant personality.
His game may not have necessarily been on display against the Lakers, going for just 12 points, three rebounds and two assists on 5-of-11 shooting, but the personality certainly was as Lendeborg and Doncic went back-and-forth late in the first half, with the rookie even picking up a technical foul in the process.
How many role players would have not only gone at Doncic during the game, but would continue to talk trash during the post-game press conference? Perhaps it's a sign of some immaturity from Lendeborg that might be addressed by Raymond Ridder and the public relations staff, yet it also makes him who he is and showcases the level of confidence he has within himself.
If the Warriors can ultimately harness that correctly, they could have the rising star they need to provide life to a fairly mediocre and pessimistic state right now, and to be a key pillar of the franchise after Stephen Curry.
Warriors giving Yaxel Lendeborg opportunity to become a star
You'd make the argument that Golden State have had other young players who came in wanting to be stars. Jonathan Kuminga certainly had that type of self-confidence, while the expectations were significant on James Wiseman as a second overall pick.
The difference with that duo and Lendeborg is that the Warriors are giving their newest rookie the opportunity to succeed. They're leaning into his game on both ends of the floor, charaterized by the chance to guard Doncic on Wednesday while also being Golden State's second-most important offensive player.
They're also buying into Lendeborg's personality off the court, enabling him to be himself and hyping up the young forward as evidenced by Green's "future face of the franchise" comments earlier in the week.
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