‘Was his own worst enemy’- Steve Kerr explains why Yaxel Lendeborg fell in the NBA Draft
· Yahoo Sports
Steve Kerr has questioned the NBA’s approach to drafting older prospects after explaining why Yaxel Lendeborg fell in the NBA Draft before joining the Golden State Warriors.
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The Warriors head coach believes teams overlooked the forward because of his age, despite his impressive combination of size and basketball skills.
Lendeborg was 24 when he entered the league, making him older than most rookies. Kerr believes that worked against him during the draft process.
Steve Kerr questions NBA teams’ treatment of Yaxel Lendeborg
Speaking about Lendeborg’s draft position, Kerr highlighted the skills that should have made the forward an attractive prospect.
“Once you get him and you go, ‘Wait a second, this guy is 6’10”, 240, and can dribble, pass, and shoot?’ It’s hard to imagine somebody like that, and then you remember that in the NBA, we penalize guys for being 23. He was his own worst enemy. He should’ve just come out four years ago completely unprepared, and then he would’ve been the second pick in the draft.”
Kerr’s comments point to a wider issue with how NBA teams assess prospects who spend more time developing in college. While many young players declare after one season, Lendeborg’s age appears to have counted against him despite his physical attributes and ability on the court.
The Warriors ultimately benefited from the situation, landing a player Kerr believes has considerable potential.
The coach has also explained why he has been comfortable giving Lendeborg opportunities early in his NBA career.
“I didn’t have a ton of expectations. I just wanted to coach him and see where he was. He’s obviously very advanced for a rookie, and he should be,” Kerr said. “He’s 24, older than most guys who come into the league. Some guys have a feel, and some guys don’t. Yaxel has a really innate feel for basketball.”
That early trust could prove important as Lendeborg continues adapting to the NBA. Kerr has previously taken a more patient approach with young players, with prospects such as Moses Moody and Gui Santos having to work to earn their minutes.
However, Lendeborg offers the Warriors a different option at forward, an area where the team believes his skill set can make a difference.
With Jimmy Butler expected to miss an extended period through injury, Golden State could need Lendeborg to take on greater responsibility alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green.
Kerr’s faith in the rookie suggests the Warriors are willing to give him the opportunity to prove that his age should never have been a reason for teams to pass on him.
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