Steve Kerr says the Warriors are trying to channel Yaxel Lendeborg’s edge without letting it spill over.
Lendeborg’s intensity has been part of what’s helped him succeed, but the rookie may have gone too far when he said he “lost all respect” for Lakers star Luka Doncic after their first meeting. Kerr addressed the situation on “Inside the NBA,” explaining that the team handled it internally.
“We talked to him as a staff; we talked as a team,” Kerr said. “ Steph (Curry) had a great comment after that Laker game.
He said, ‘Hey, I love Yaxel’s competitive desire, but now he’s got to back it up,’ and I thought that was perfectly said. So, I kind of reiterated that with Yaxel, like, hey - we love this spirit, we love the competitiveness, but just know that Luka’s going to be coming.”
Doncic answered in the rematch, putting up 37 points and knocking down six three-pointers. Kerr said that’s the kind of response Lendeborg has to be ready for, while still keeping his fire intact.
“There’s an old saying in coaching - you’d rather rein a guy back in than try to get him going,” Kerr said. “And I think that’s true with Yaxel.
He wants to be great. He’s got this competitive spirit.
So, in terms of reining him in, it’s more just - hey, this is what the league is about. You’re going to see these kinds of challenges all the time.
And do what Steph did: back it up. And Yaxel’s been doing that.
So, I love coaching him. I think he’s got an incredible future.”
Kerr also didn’t have much to say about Kristaps Porzingis’ status with the Warriors. Asked whether he had gotten any explanation for why Porzingis isn’t with the team, Kerr said, “I haven’t been given one. Nor have I asked for one.”
On the Lakers side, Adou Thiero is getting closer to his season debut. He practiced Wednesday with the team’s G League affiliate and could be available Friday or Sunday, according to Khobi Price of The California Post.
“Practice was fine, went well,” coach JJ Redick said. “That was the plan just to get him a live practice today and then he’ll be back with us.”
In Phoenix, Suns forward Rasheer Fleming was out for Wednesday’s game after rolling his ankle during Tuesday’s practice. Coach Jordan Ott said the injury happened during a halfcourt 3-on-3 session with the team’s “stay ready” group.
“He was working out. It was actually in the halfcourt in a 3-on-3 situation.
Just rolled it. Nothing serious.
We think it’s more day-to-day than week-to-week.”
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