Warriors' Yaxel Lendeborg Refuses Media Training, Vows To ‘stay True To Myself'

Warriors' Yaxel Lendeborg refuses media training, vows to ‘stay true to myself' originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg quickly is taking the NBA by storm, averaging 22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds and 4.0 assists through the first five games of his career and looking like a future star for the franchise. His off-the-court personality is turning heads, as well.

Lendeborg made headlines after Golden State’s 127-105 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on opening night when he called out Lakers star Luka Dončić, saying he lost all respect for the star because of his whining and complaining. His trash talk after just one game drew scrutiny, leading to the question of whether or not he needs media training. But if you ask Lendeborg, he wants no part in that, opting instead to stay true to himself.

“I’m not doing that, man,” Lendeborg told the San Francisco Chronicle. “I’m going to stay true to myself, and be honest. I’ve seen plenty of interviews where people are talking and it’s like, ‘Man, I don’t want to watch this,’ you know what I mean? And it’s not like I’m click-baiting or click-farming or whatever the heck people are saying.

“But it’s like, that’s honestly how I feel,” Lendeborg continued. “And I’m not gonna lie about it. I’ve never been a liar. So, just tell the truth.”

Lendeborg has never once shied away from being himself since joining the Warriors. Those within the organization who have been around him know who he is and have been comfortable letting him be himself. Draymond Green, who has grown close to Lendeborg early on, voiced his support for the rookie to reporters after Golden State’s 131-122 loss to the Phoenix Suns on Oct. 24.

“As far as ‘he needs media training’ — I think the people that say he needs media training, put them in front of a microphone, and let’s see how they do,” Green said. “But usually when people say someone needs media training, one of two things happen. Either you said something they didn’t like, or you said something they wouldn’t be willing to say. So they want to make you them. And who wants to be them?”

Lendeborg is not your average rookie, though. Turning 24 years old in September, he is on the older side for a rookie and had so much time to develop his game prior to being drafted that coach Steve Kerr called him the most NBA-ready rookie that he has coached. Coming off of three straight games of 25 or more points, including a 31-point double-double in a win over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night, he has had no trouble backing up his talk.

Golden State is dealing with injuries to multiple key players to start the season, including forward Jimmy Butler, guard Moses Moody and big man Kristaps Porziņģis. But Lendeborg’s high level of play has helped the team get by and if he can continue it all season long, Golden State could find itself right back in the playoff mix after a one-season absence.

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