HERE COMES LUKA DONCIC, AND WARRIORS ROOKIE YAXEL LENDEBORG WON'T FLINCH
It took Yaxel Lendeborg only 10 days to climb to a place most NBA players can’t get to in 10 years. He already is a marked man – by opposing coaches and opposing players. He has zoomed up the scouting report on Golden State’s offense as the No. 2 concern. As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare to face the Warriors on Friday night, Yaxel’s name will be high on the board, right behind that of two-time NBA MVP Stephen Curry.
Lendeborg most assuredly will be No. 1 in the mind of LA star Luka Dončić. Lendeborg’s in-game conduct and postgame comments last week in the wake of Golden State’s opening-night loss to the Lakers in Los Angeles added spice to future meetings between him and Dončić. The rook didn’t flinch during or after, and the vet led his team to victory. When they meet again Friday night at Chase Center, the usual sellout crowd will be casting curious eyes toward Lendeborg and Dončić. Will there be any heat between them? Will Luka hunt the rookie? Will Lendeborg – with his image already alongside Curry in promotional graphics – try to make a statement? We hope that “yes” is the answer to all three questions.
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