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Draymond Green is known for setting high standards the moment a young player joins the Golden State Warriors.
Sometimes, those expectations lead to public misunderstandings before the season even begins.
The Warriors selected Yaxel Lendeborg with the 11th overall pick.
During his introductory press conference, Lendeborg mentioned that Stephen Curry had reached out to welcome him, but added that he was still waiting on a response from Green.
Green responded on his podcast and said, Yaxel has been fing lying..
This guy goes in an interview and says Oh man, Steph reached out, texted Draymond, still waiting on a response back.
You fing liar, Yaxel.
According to reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle, Green later posted screenshots online showing he had replied to the message within 30 seconds to welcome the rookie.
Green joked that the false claim was just the Michigan way due to their college rivalry, and he warned Lendeborg that veteran players could bring back rookie hazing.
During the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas, Lendeborg participated in a live media stream where hosts asked him to make a recruiting pitch to LeBron James.
The rookie pitched an invite and said he would love to learn under James alongside Stephen Curry and Green.
When Green addressed this pitch on his podcast, he called it pointless and noted that training camp would arrive soon enough to rein in the rookie.
The rookie realized that entering the NBA meant adjusting to life in the public eye.
He had to balance these critiques with his responsibilities on the basketball court.
Lendeborg admitted that the public comments from the veteran forward made him feel anxious.
The 23-year-old rookie confessed that he got a little nervous when he heard the podcast.
He laughed during the interview but noted he hoped the veteran was just talking about teaching him NBA habits rather than starting actual rookie hazing.
Green has shown immense respect for the rookies basketball skills.
In the very same podcast episode where he critiqued the recruitment speech, Green opened the segment with high praise.
The veteran proclaimed that Lendeborg had been balling throughout his initial appearances for the franchise.
According to NBC Sports, Lendeborg has averaged around 16.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 4.2 assists, and 1.4 steals per night in 5 games.
Lendeborg previously admitted that, as a childhood fan of Kyrie Irving, he used to root against Curry during the Cleveland and Golden State rivalry games.
Now, the young forward views playing alongside Curry and Green as an opportunity to learn.
How do you think this dynamic will play out in the Warriors rotation? More must-reads:.