Draymond Green has made his position clear after Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg got into a heated exchange with Los Angeles Lakers superstar Luka Doncic. Green believes rookies should not have to stay quiet simply because they are facing established NBA stars. The confrontation became one of the biggest talking points from the Warriors' 127-105 season-opening loss to the Lakers on Wednesday.
Lendeborg repeatedly challenged Doncic during the game and received a technical foul after exchanging words with the six-time All-Star. Doncic finished with 28 points, seven rebounds and eight assists. Lendeborg recorded 12 points in 29 minutes during his NBA debut.
In the post-game interview Lendeborg criticized Doncic for what he viewed as excessive complaining to officials and foul-baiting. Green now has a blunt message to those who believe rookies should avoid provoking superstars: "For Yaxel to get a tech for saying something on one play that Luka doesn't say something, I thought was the weakest st ever… I respect the hell out of Yaxel for willing to stand toe to toe, if you can't rock with a guy like that, who compete like that, you're probably a loser… that's like this old adage of like 'oh you're a rookie, you don't talk', Fk that!… if you want respect from me, earn it from me, you don't earn respect from me because of what you did to someone else because what if I don't even respect that guy?" Green's support matters as Lendeborg adjusts to the NBA. The rookie could have an important defensive role while Golden State manages injuries to key players.
The Warriors and Lakers are scheduled to meet again on Oct. 30 in San Francisco. Given how quickly tensions escalated in their opener, another matchup could bring a fresh chapter in this developing rivalry.
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