Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg is already establishing himself as one of the team’s best players in the first few preseason games.
But the more he has excelled, the more fans have rehashed memories of a former Warriors forward.
Golden State held high hopes for Jonathan Kuminga; however, he struggled to fit into their system. Naturally, his split from the team has Dub Nation pondering: Why has Lendeborg adjusted to the Warriors better in a few games than Kuminga did in four years?
While the argument may seem valid, their paths are not comparable.
Varying Experience Before the League
One of the biggest reasons Lendeborg appears more mature on the court, despite not playing a single regular-season game yet, is his extensive college basketball history.
He played six years of college ball, working his way from junior college Arizona Western, to the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), to the University of Michigan, where he broke out and won the NCAA title.
Each stop was an opportunity for him to refine his game and enhance his basketball IQ. Lendeborg played for three different colleges, taking on different roles. He endured brutal struggles and learned key lessons before entering the pros in a way that Kuminga hadn’t.
Kuminga didn’t move to the U.S. until he was 14, when he embarked on his high school basketball journey.
While Lendeborg spent ample time playing college hoops, Kuminga went straight to the NBA G League Ignite for a year.
Lendeborg previously credited his collegiate basketball career with helping him understand how to play different roles and handle criticism.
After struggling in his first game at UAB, Lendeborg was met with a slew of vitriol from fans driving by as he exited the game. The experience helped him deal with outside opinions and develop thick skin— lessons many don’t face until obtaining NBA status.
Differences in Playing in the NBA
Kuminga played a minimal role in his rookie 2021-22 season with the Warriors, coming off the bench for 70 games and playing just under 17 minutes each night. Golden State planned to slowly integrate him into the team as they chased a potential final championship in the Curry era.
Expectations are lower this season than they were in 2021. The Warriors are desperate for a forward, with Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody’s injuries. Additionally, Stephen Curry and Draymond Green require more help at this stage of their careers than they did back then.
Steve Kerr has indicated that Lendeborg may be a starter in the opening lineup. Lendeborg will have the chance to play through mistakes that would have sent Kuminga straight to the bench.
“He’s got a lot of basketball wisdom, and I think that will serve him well… He’s the most prepared, most ready guy,” Kerr said. “I think he was coached really well last year by [University of Michigan coach] Dusty May.”
Kuminga was 19 years old in his rookie season with the Warriors; Lendeborg is 24. Lendeborg has seen and played far more basketball than Kuminga before both were drafted.
Two of the areas that Kerr has praised Lendeborg for the most are his playmaking and offensive feel for the game. He has already shown he possesses one of the most difficult abilities for Warriors newcomers: finding the open man.
So often, players—particularly young ones—struggle to balance getting their own game off and setting up teammates when joining a new situation. Although it has been just a handful of preseason games, Lendeborg has proven that he has a solid understanding of how to toe the line.
Moving on From Kuminga
Their distinct journeys to the NBA are ultimately why the Lendeborg-Kuminga debates are ineffective.
Warriors fans wanted nothing more than for Kuminga to pan out as a franchise star. Lendeborg’s rapid assimilation to the Warriors is a painful reminder of all the ways the Kuminga experiment fizzled.
But Golden State has Lendeborg now, and his previous experience gives him an advantage as he enters the NBA.
The Warriors front office has moved on from Kuminga and shifted its focus to its new lottery pick. It is time for the rest of the world to do the same.
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