Yaxel Lendeborg’s arrival in Golden State came with an unexpected admission about the player who helped define the Warriors’ modern era.
After being selected by the Warriors with the No. 11 pick on Tuesday, the Michigan wing acknowledged that his basketball loyalties once leaned firmly against Stephen Curry. Reflecting on the Warriors-Cavaliers rivalry that shaped much of the NBA conversation a decade ago, Lendeborg said, “I’m a big Kyrie guy. So I used to hate Steph Curry.”
The comment added a light moment to Lendeborg’s introduction, tying his draft night to one of the league’s most memorable recent rivalries. Curry and Kyrie Irving were central figures in the repeated Finals matchups between Golden State and Cleveland, a stretch that left a lasting impression on many young players now entering the NBA.
For Lendeborg, that history now takes on a different meaning. The former Michigan wing joins the franchise he once rooted against, beginning his professional career with the Warriors after hearing his name called just outside the top 10.
A New Chapter in Golden State
Lendeborg’s candid remark underscored how quickly perspectives can change on draft night. Once a fan watching the Warriors and Cavaliers battle on the league’s biggest stage, he now becomes part of Golden State’s next group of players.