Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg talked trash to Luka Doncic unrelentingly on Opening Night.
Lendeborg has the chance to do it again Friday night when the Warriors and Lakers square off for their second meeting of the season.
There’s been much discourse surrounding the rookie’s chatter toward Doncic, but Hall of Famer Charles Barkley said he doesn’t have a problem with Lendeborg chirping at the Lakers superstar.
“I think rookies get excited to play against great players and I have no problem with that. When you’re a great player, you’re everybody’s big game. Those kids grew up watching you, so it’s a big deal,” Barkley said.
While the trash talk by Lendeborg was Barkley approved, the former NBA player turned analyst wasn’t a fan of the 24-year-old’s comments after the game.
“I don’t have any problem with him coming for Luka. I didn’t like the stuff after the game because number one when you get your ass kicked by 30 you probably should shut the hell up,” Barkley said.
Lendeborg admitted he probably went overboard with his comments after the Opening Night loss.
“I feel like I did kinda take it overboard in the media, but it is what it is,” he said.
However, fans will see whether the Warriors rookie took the learning lesson to heart. Lendeborg continuing the trash talk on the court with Doncic seems likely, but if Golden State loses, will he comment on the Lakers superstar afterward?
