Steph Curry, Al Horford share how Yaxel Lendeborg can make early Warriors impact

Steph Curry, Al Horford share how Yaxel Lendeborg can make early Warriors impact originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

A quiet offseason left the Warriors in a position that seems similar to previous season beginnings. 

The franchise’s goal remains the same: maximize the twilight of Steph Curry’s career by competing for another NBA championship. However, injuries to Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody paired with minimal offseason personnel changes create a new need for Golden State: immediate impact from rookie Yaxel Lendeborg. 

“The nature of our league and social media and all the microscopes is that they’re going to expect him to be a 20-8-6 guy like right out the gate – or whatever number you put on him. His job is to block all that out,” Curry told reporters Tuesday in Hawaii at the team’s first day of training camp. “He’ll know if he’s impactful. He’ll know if he’s helping win games. The stats and the numbers will follow.” 

Lendeborg, the Warriors’ first lottery draft pick since 2021, will be closely scrutinized and used as a measuring stick for the team’s ability to stay afloat until Butler’s return. A reliance on statistical measurements, as Curry explains, will not adequately gauge the rookie’s on-court impact. 

“It’s our job to protect him in that,” Curry stated. “But he also needs to have confidence coming in that he can impact the game and he establishes his own kind of metric of what a good game is. And just allow him to grow into that.  

“He’s going to get opportunities though, so that’s going to be fun.” 

The immediate need for impact provides Lendeborg with plenty of opportunity to showcase that. It might even come in the form of a starting role; a rarity in a Steve Kerr-led team. 

Veteran center/power forward Al Horford already has praise for the rookie early in training camp. Most notably, perhaps, is the ability to fit into Golden State’s style of play.

“He’s able to kind of do a little bit of everything as a player,” Horford told reporters Tuesday in Hawaii. “So, I just feel right away for him… whether it’s creating his own shot, getting to the basket, finding the open guy – he’s understanding how to play and move without the ball. A lot of the things that coach wants us to do; he already has a good feel for it.” 

Curry echoed Horford speaking of Lendeborg’s offensive abilities. The feel, size and shooting ability that the rookie displayed during the NBA Summer League does not go unnoticed by the veterans. 

“You can tell he wants to make the right play,” Curry explained. “And for our offense, and our whole game plan, that’s usually going to shine when you’re seeing the floor and making good decisions.” 

On the defensive side, Horford pointed out the intangible skills that will help Lendeborg make the transition to the NBA level. 

“For him, we’re staying on him making sure that he’s communicating, making sure that he’s in the right position,” Horford explained. “And if he’s able to do those things, I feel like he’ll find his way.  

“But, it all sounds good until we start playing. He has to be able to show that he can hold his own defensively.” 

Lendeborg also has impressed Curry with his intangible skills. The Warriors’ franchise star notes that they will be key in the rookie’s growth. 

“I don’t think he’s afraid. He’s open-minded, he’s curious, he’s listening, he’s asking questions,” Curry described. “You can tell he’s locked in mentally.” 

“So, it’s a lot for a rookie to kind of absorb all this information, process it, and do it in real time. And then still have the confidence that even if you mess up, it’s fine, it’s the growing pains of your early career.” 

As much as Lendeborg wants to post numbers that will put him into Rookie of the Year discussion, veterans like Curry and Horford will be looking for the 24-year-old to impact the number in the win column. 

His ability to play within the Warriors’ system and focus on growth in the face of inevitable mistakes will be paramount the team waits for the return of Butler and Moody. 

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