Yaxel Lendeborg says he’s looking forward to playing Luka and the Lakers on Friday 👀 “Absolutely. Absolutely. Yes, I am. I’ll talk about that on Friday.”
You can talk about his age, but the fact he’s averaging 21.8⁄9.3⁄4.8 on 59% TS already is kinda nuts. Especially as a big wing which is what the Warriors have been missing for a while now
Easily the Warriors’ best draft pick in recent memory
This is a relatively low bar.
It is also a one week sample size lol
It’s honestly all you should need. Again, the bar isn’t high.
The talk about his age is so dumb lol. Most players get drafted around 19⁄20, and most come into the league and are just ok for the first 2-3 years of their career. Yax just turned 24 and is already producing in his first year, it’s such an irrelevant conversation
Luka didn’t turn 24 years old until his fifth NBA season.
Yaxel easily accomplished this feat in his rookie year.
Checkmate haters.
*Yaxel Lendeborg accomplished that feat no more than an hour ago
Yax just turned 24 and is already producing in his first year, it’s such an irrelevant conversation
That’s exactly the point.
It’s less surprising for a player to be producing at 24 than it is at 21.
Yaxel likely is much closer to his finished form than guys like Aj Dybansta or Cam Boozer.
Which is fine, given how happy we are with who it looks like he is now. But it is still relevant context.
You can’t provide that “relevant context” while leaving out the significantly more relevant context that Yaxel only started playing basketball 6 years ago.
I see the “much closer to his peak” argument parroted everywhere because people just stop reading at “he’s 24 years old” but Yaxel specifically is a special case in that he is still very early in his overall basketball career.
Yeah, i think as the 11th pick he’s just exactly what you want. If you’re going top 5 i’d argue trying to bet on someone turning out to be the next big super star .
Honestly at 11 and in the league being this good is a really good pick, most guys picked outside of the top 5 don’t end up being this good until a couple of years later.
The thing is, nobody really knows what he “only started playing basketball six years ago” actually means in terms of his development.
A lot of people who study this seriously believe that you don’t get those developmental years back, although, admittedly, we’re talking about a pretty small data set of guys who are quality NBA players at 24 with that little experience. We learn differently in our mid-20s than we do in our teens, and generally a big part of that difference is that we learn much less efficiently. Our brains don’t form new connections in the same way they did when we were younger.
Which gets to something important. I want to point out one word you omitted from your restatement of my position. I don’t think you did so maliciously, but there’s a tendency to interpret people’s reddit comments as the most extreme form of what they’re saying.
“Yaxel likely is much closer to his finished form”
Cool bro, when other rookies are producing what Yax is right now they’ll be getting paid 40 million a year, not a rookie contract.
Come on, even if he improves A LITTLE from his current line that’s 27/7/7 bron stat line.
His current production is easily 40M/y on a rookie extension in his first year. If he gets paid based on anticipated future production it’s easily a max.
It’s really not. He’s closer to if not at his physical peak. Most young players have 4-5 years of development so when they hit their athletic peak they can just really go off. By the time he gets the same amount of experience so he’d be closer to trending downward athletically. Generally that means changing your game which send you back to more development.
Why teams get younger guys is because they can get more years out of them and higher ceilings, hypothetically.
Hypothetically is the big factor here and the warriors were looking for someone that could contribute right away. It’s not like he’s coming into the league at 24 and is a scrub in need of development, he’s already fitting well into the system and has seamlessly adjusted into the league. I think you’re reading too much into hypotheticals.
I agree he is much closer to Steph/dray (possibly Jimmy) timeline than other rookies they could have possibly drafted
Yea that’s why the Warriors drafted this dude. I’m not reading too much into anything. You said his age is irrelevant. It’s not. It’s even relevant to the warriors that why they took him
And every draft pick is a hypothetical
How’s that working out? Lol
He should just retire since he can’t get enough experience points by his physical prime. Maybe he’ll get an exp buff by harassing Luka for a season
Cry about it. I said nothing of the sort. But down your emotions and pick up some reading comprehension.
Usually men growth plates close around 20, so athletic peak probably isn’t really late-mid 20’s. They are probably referring to the sweet spot of maturity, experience and prime physical window.
As Kobe said, it’s the mileage, not the age. The downtrend is mainly from wear-and-tear of the game, especially in the injurious space and pace era. You see athletic wings start getting knee degradations as early as 23.
Especially since it fits Steph’s timeline way better than some unpolished 20 year old rookie. We need someone who can play NOW and will be entering their prime ASAP.
he also didnt even play organized basketball until he was 18, i feel like people forget that
Also the fact very few actually get to average 20-9-5 at any age in the league. Of the hyped prospects that are 19-20, how many of them are reaching that level by 24? Hindsight is 20-20 but look at previous drafts and see even most no. 1 picks dont reach that level
I mean we don’t really have a sample size on AJ yet but cooper flag is pretty easily going be exceeding those averages. Wemby, Paolo, and Cade have all hit those numbers. I get your point but age is still a factor. See Dalton Knecht who had like a month or two of high level scoring and contributing until he got figured out and just could never adjust because he was too old and used to playing his way.
First few games not first year buddy. There’s 82 games
i think you got this wrong. advantages of drafting an older player is that they are nba ready, but their ceiling is low. this is probably already the peak of him. it is normal for 19 20 year old player to take time to develop. you are not getting anything more form yaxel. warriors chose to “win now” and went for a ready player instead of potential.
honestly i don’t understand why people are so hyped about an nba ready player playing well. that’s the whole point.
It’s pretty crazy but the Warriors have him on his rookie scale contract for another 3 seasons after this one - it’s crazy surplus value if they’re able to leverage it correctly.
Absolutely insane that people are missing this point. Having him at this level of rookie production but complaining that he’s 24 is the epitome of lobster too buttery
A lot of people are missing this fact. The Warriors are getting a player entering his prime on a rookie contract rather than having to give him the max to keep him around.
Yeah it’s working out great lmao
He is what we hoped for in kuminga. The prophecy is being fulfilled.
Where did he go in the draft? Seems like a lot of teams missed on this guy. The Raptors could use someone like him
I lowkey think the combo of Steph, dray, and Steve is going to be amazing for Yax in particular. I hope he gets more than 1-2 years with them before they hang it up
11th
Seems like he’d go higher in a redraft right now…
He would easily be top 5 in the redraft now
Age will always be a huge deterrent. He’s 25 and had some baggage.
5 years of college. Some GMs are just dumb
Brother, its 4 games lol
he’s actually averaging 22.6⁄9.2⁄4 on Higher TS, so more or less the same.
Why talk about his age? He’s producing well for a 24 year old while being paid like a 19 year old.
Wait and see. Not saying is the same but Knect had a great coming out party then disappeared after.
Give the kid at least the entire season before we say anything
50 Burger coming, Luka even resting just for it.
He really did rest for this game.
Maybe, something tells me Luka won’t be playing many B2B’s this year after what happened last year.
They are about to have 5 games in 7 days so he gets the pass against the Clippers.
He got his ass tired out by the Blazers on a B2B against the Clippers. He’s not resting for Yaxel lmao
I’d say teams need to take their chances resting players this season because no team is tanking, if you have a shitty Clippers team with a lot of injuries on a b2b, that’s your chance. Because even bad teams will try hard and if they are fully healthy, that might be a loss
Yax not going for 50 come on bro
Nice try, -50 from Yax coming fam
Yeah more like 35⁄12 with 3 blocks all on Luka
yeah 30 would be a stretch lol
whoooooosh
😅 bro…
You’re the one getting wooshed mate
Dude it was sarcasm lol. whoooooosh
But he didn’t use /s! Haha
Luka is not resting for a rookie lol. Luka been in the league too long to be amped for a regular season game.
Luka gets real fired up from trash talk tho. Really seems like the guy to take them personal. He probably still wants to drop 50 on Booker everytime they play, and what he said was nowhere near what Yaxel said lol
50 burger on 30 FTA incoming.
Belt to ass: electric boogaloo.
Just wait until the Dubs attack Luka on every possession like it’s the 22 playoffs vs Jokic
a lot of people hating on this kid but I love that he’s not just some PR robot like every other player lol
This sub will hate on a Christmas themed Corgi if given the chance. You just got to let the miserable fucks on here wallow in their own self-loathing and just appreciate guys like Yaxel who come across as cool ass people.
The same Corgi that CHOKED away a 3-0 lead in the finals? Nice try Ruff Paul.
Corgi couldn’t even sniff Airbud’s ass let alone compete for a treat
Ok but fuck Christmas themed corgis though
Dumb ass shape. Are you a dog or a horse? Ans why do you have those big ass ears if you’re never going to listen??
Lol hes getting milked by people who like to stir up beefs
Reddit just loves to be contrarian tbh. This sub in particular cares more about clowning people than the actual game
Reddit just loves to be contrarian tbh.
No we don’t!
Like Jaylen brown?
As long as he is good, let he talk
I feel like I’ve read this comment so many times since the season started lol
Ain’t like he’s failing to back it up. Insane rookie numbers so far. I ain’t a GS fan like that, but they should all be a little afraid (of Yax five years in)
looking like a baby monster r n
On Friday, either Luka Torches him, and Yax gets stronger
Or, Luka doesn’t torch him, and Yax gets stronger
If Yax doesn’t get torched, be very afraid (Luka is killing it, at his best right now)
In five years he’ll be like 37 or something?
29, and missing the point entirely
These are insane numbers even for a rookie who’s a vet of the euro leagues (aka comparable age to Yaxel)
If he keeps these numbers up all year- let alone getting better- he’ll project to be the best player in the nba in five years. Luka averaged 21 ppg his rookie year. Yaxel’s current pace beats that, and he is learning as he goes
hahahaha right, Luka afriad of Yaxel for sure
You don’t read very well huh
“they should all be a little afraid (of Yax five years in)”
So you are you saying they gotta wait 5 years to be afraid? I’m sorry, I’m a FOB.
Nobody is hating on him tbh
lol yea they were. You just have to be in the right thread
This is what I was gonna say. Like what? All I see are comments like this dude talking about how much they like him. lol
Not on this thread but I saw a lot of it in others.
Bro yes they were
Yea, he’s ballin. But poke the bear at your own risk.
Have you visited the Lakers sub lately?
What do you expect? lol if a lakers rookie did that to Steph you’d probably call in sick to work tomorrow ya softie
Ok so he has been getting hated on then. I was disputing op’s statement, not if it’s warranted.
Thank you for being honest
You know you’re REALLY hated when your haters can’t even BEAR to give you the credit of being hated.
I still remember 2017 when this sub was insisting that everybody loved KD “and I can’t understand why cuz he’s a SCUMBAG”
Nah he’s doing too much. Fake personality like Jaden McDaniels
It is definitely refreshing for a change. I can’t say I’d do it if I was in the league, but I am more than happy to watch someone be this candid - it’s a win-win entertainment wise. If he balls out he looks like he’s backing up the talk, if he gets cooked everyone can say ‘he asked for it’.
you can be non-pr robot and also not be clown this guy sounds like a clown
No he sounds like a guy with confidence. You clearly need more
yeah I don’t have the confidence of someone like you who insults someone on a reddit post you got me fam
Im talking about Yaxel dumbass
I truly think the divide is mostly from people who watched college ball and those who don’t. If you followed college basketball outside of the tournament, this guy found plenty of times to rub people the wrong way and so for those of us who saw it, his current schtick feels like an extension of that same thing. He seems pretty obnoxious.
But I guess I can see how to people seeing him for the first time and comparing it to the rest of the league it has its appeal. I expect it will wear thin rather quickly though. Especially if his play falters.
Just the Lakers glory hunters, which is basically 90% of this subreddit.
lol victim complex is unreal
victim complex is unreal
That’s what Yaxel was saying about Luka. lol
Lukatards are funny. Imagine if he win something
I thought we’re on to LaMelo vs Tyrese diaper rivalry? 😂
Anyway a must see tv. Hopefully it’s not Scott Foster crew reffing the game.
I think some of the adversity this guy’s overcome was self-inflicted. Supposedly stopped trying in school cause he wanted to be a Twitch streamer. But you don’t go from JuCo to UAB to leading Michigan to a natty without having the utmost confidence cause you’re already climbed a mountain to get there. Coincidentally I think Butler’s built the same way.
I think some of the adversity this guy’s overcome was self-inflicted.
Lowkey feels relatable for that reason. We all know someone who was in the wrong headspace or doing probably not the best thing for their future and ‘ruined their potential’.
The fact he went through that and figured it out and still reached the NBA (even at a latter age than others) is impressive and inspiring. 💯
Facts. I’m humble but who doesn’t love Rocky vs Apollo! Let the kid talk.
He was Michigan’s best player overall, but that team was absolutely stacked. I mean he got hurt in the tournament and they basically finished the job without him.
Fair “lead” is a bit…misleading. I remember he had basically no impact in title game. But still one of the best talents in college hoops last year.
Yeah it seems like in High School despite clearly being a physical freak it seems like he was getting the DNP(dumbass) and while it’s sorta odd that saying that means he has some upside if he’s matured enough to take his game seriously, it’s true? Like him being this kind of talent but taking until he was much older than most potential NBA players to take the game seriously makes him have more upside than most rookies but also the odds that he does something else dumb in the future is probably high!
Seasoned bettors know this means u should take his under
I like this kid already
Hes 32 years old.
The anti-Tatum
Said it in another reply but you beat me to it lmao
He’s 10 years older than Tatum
*36
Every time he talks he aged. But I love him. Looking forward to that match up.
It’s either he will solidify his position or he will be humbled. Either way, these are what fans are longing for.
Every time he talks he aged
Yes that’s how the passage of time works
Totally agree, it’s fun, it’s exciting. And so far he’s really good!
He’s gonna be 30 in 6 yrs and people will be surprised, swearing he was 30 yrs ago. Kinda like when people learn Looney’s age lol
32 year old kid
He retiring soon, enjoy his last years
He’s in his farewell tour already
He’s a grown man. He’s the same age as Pods.
He’s 26.
no actually, he’s 48
damn he really tricked me
He is 12
https://comicbook.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2025/07/benchwarmers-i-am-12.jpg?resize=768,432
24 just turned 24. Quit yappin it’s getting tiring
That’s still a kid for males in the Latino community according to abuela
47, he was a fucking kid
Dude gonna be the same age as Giannis is right now when he gets his second contract lmao
You act like the warriors didn’t sign up to get an old rookie who was ready? He’s ready he’s showing he is that was there whole plan again just yappin
I mean objectively that is old to be a rookie in the NBA when the #1 draft pick is 19.
Yaxel is a dawg and has the right mindset, hut he is objectively the age a lot of players are once they have like 4 or 5 seasons under their belt.
Who gives a shit? Why does this matter?
The reverse Jayson Tatum
Ngl I love how much he talks, but imma need Luka to drop 75
luka should drop 82 to respect Bam
I hope he drops only 5 out of disrespect for Jaden Daniels
Luka should drop 77 for memes
If Luka gets cooked by Yaxel the slander is gonna be generational
Nah. Luka dropping 101 to break Wilt’s record.
12-27 shooting with 35⁄42 from the line incoming. That kind of ball just doesn’t hold up in the playoffs I’m sorry this lakers team is an early exit
Special brain here.
Luka was in the finals, it held up fine. And he never had a 50 point game on less than 70% TS. Dude had 73 on like 95% TS
0/1 and hasn’t been back since despite the league rigging a trade for him to LA. I guarantee you this guy finishes his career with 0 chips
Lmao. Just trying to ragebait with zero iq takes.
As most players do man. What a bold prediction outta you.
Why are you so offended bro? You acting like Curry will win another ring. Maybe Dray needs to cry in the parking lot for another superstar.
I hate the warriors and the lakers and acting like Luka isn’t a cry baby foul baiter is pure cope.
Where in my comment did I say Luka isnt a cry baby? That wasn’t even my point lil pup
Basketball fans should be offended having to watch Luka play. Oh no curry might not add on to his four championships how devastating 😂lakers fans can’t even talk shit without looking to the refs. Maybe the mods will ban me or something for you
You are a fucking idiot saying that shit with dray on the team 😭
But you are okay with watching Draymond get away with his dirty antics? ☠️
Draymond cries like a bitch to the refs too btw
You can hate Luka all you want, but to say that is just asinine. He’s one of most fun players to watch in this league.
lol talking out the side of your neck
Luka took his team to finals and he’s historic playoff riser, clutch af. Luka is made man
Are you guys even gonna make past 20 wins this season?
Currently only a win behind you guys, 4 championships later and we just got ourselves a stud. Refball your way into the second round until it gets physical
Just gotta hope it’s not another 40 years until the next warriors championship.
Dynasty built on moving screens lol
17 championships and you’re bitching about refball when all of the warriors championships were off the backs of a dirty bitch Dray setting illegal screens lol. Whole team full of little bitches with fans like you to match, let Poole get punked in front of the world and tried to sweep it under the rug. Had to injure kawhi and add KD 😂
Wow beating injured teams sure is an achievement for a team that can hardly win 10 games this season keep it up
17 championships later, we got Luka, good luck with 13 more
I hope Luka talks to him after every bucket
i’ve seen way too much of this “beef” between Yaxel and Luka holy fuck.
For Luka it’s just another day of trashtalking
Luka is now lean. Never associate the guy with the word beef /s
It’ll be more interesting when Yaxel actually accomplishes something in the leagueski🥰
Same when Luka accomplishes something as well
Ring culture ruined nba discussions example number 5000.
Excuse me for trying to jerk it a little.
Whining over someone just repeating someone’s comment back to them is so cringey lol
Luka fans need some self awareness.
Go look at Luka’s wiki page, maybe you might be able to find out about some of his achievements by the time he was 24 years old…
Only thing that matters are RANGZ
Hell of a lot more than yax ever will
Luka rings 0.Yaxel rings 0.Need I say more
honestly it’s beef btw yaxel and everything else. guy finds a new beef everyday.
Luka fighting for ROY cause he knows he’s not winning MVP
I’m sure Luka will be doing everything he can to earn Yaxel’s respect again
Yeah he’ll probably start the game with a sincere apology and promise to pass a lot and keep his scoring sub 20
How are we still talking about this
50.
His age? lol
What a funny and original comment
That’s Reddit. This gonna be their one joke for a while
Nick Kerr amirite
Truly believe u/StefonDiggsHS meant that as a joke and just asking for confirmation. So if that wasn’t what he intended, then what his “50”? I never try defending downvotes, but pls let me know what I’m missing caz I feel like I’m being attacked for reasons that should be directed to OP
Lukas point total
Reddit is insufferable lol. Luka and Yaxel are living their best lives lol. I bet you they’ll have more fun out there yapping at each other, than we will watching.
This is a very one sided beef that is constantly being reported on.
Every day it’s a new clip of Yaxel talking about Luka/Lakers. I get he keeps getting asked about it but it’s a little old
Bro. Lakers are in the pinnacle of basketball media. You know damn well this keeps being brought up by the reporters.
I like him. Plus he’s giving me reason to watch a game I probably wouldn’t have been interested in.
he’s gonna lose again
Like milk
Why is reddit obsessed with everything this guy says? He’s entertaining but give it a rest already
Yaxel is gonna get his for sure, but man we’ve seen what happens when you poke that Luka bear…
And what exactly have we seen? He’s won nothing, individually or as a team
Bro gave Luka 48 hours to get that 50 burger ready
Can’t wait for the game. Anytime I get to see Steph and Draymond play I’m always a happy guy. Two legends.
Incoming 50 ball by Luka
Me too Yaxel
Cool
This is the most uninteresting “beef” ever. The way fans and media have milked it is baffling. It is not that interesting. It was literally just basketball trash talk.
I’m loving this beef tbh.
same i cannot stand luka
but it helps Yaxel get pub and makes the Warriors have something to talk about
Luka gonna go for 100
On 50 FT attempts maybe.
funny how you say that yet luka couldn’t even score on the kid without refs help
That’s not what happened lmao
literally is lmao
1⁄6 when Yaxel on him? you watch games or box scores?
He hit the exact same shots next game and scored 50
lmao how ironic, he literally couldnt be kept on the floor because he was fouling the fuck out of Luka. Do YOU even watch games ?
You guys are clutching on to that fake stat like a life jacket
lol
You’re HIGHLY REGARDED
Coming from a. Faker fan? Got it