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By TJ Macias
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If you’re an NBA fan who breathes, you know that Los Angeles Lakers forward Luka Doncic is known for his insane stats… and mouth. As in, trash talking, complaining, huffing to the officials if something doesn’t exactly go his way on the court.
However, it was taken to another level when Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg went on the record to say he “lost all respect” for Donic after the Dubs’ 127-105 opening-night loss to the Lakers. Lendeborg was talking about how he bullies the refs into calling foul calls.
“I had a lot of respect for him [because] I didn’t really watch the NBA much,” Lendeborg said to reporters following the game. “I just watched highlights and seen him kill people. But being in it firsthand and seeing all the whining and complaining, I lost all respect.”
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Now, a reporter who covers Golden State has spoken up about what actually happened on the court.
“Anthony Slater who covers the Warriors for ESPN said on Hoop Collective that Luka’s talking to the refs ‘wasn’t over the top’ and Yaxel came in ‘looking for a chirp,’” Matej Sportinfo posted on X. “That’s the reality of the situation. Yaxel got embarrassed and lied after the game about what actually happened.”
Slater appeared on the podcast on Thursday to talk basketball and the subject came up after sportswriter Tim MacMahon, who covers the Dallas Mavericks, asked if this was a “whiny” Doncic performance or if he just was his usual self against the officials.
“I wouldn’t say it was over the top,” Slater said. “It’s just little chirps. There was a few times, especially on, (when) Yaxel held him. I think he misses first five shots and when he (Donic) misses a shot that he thinks he got a pump fake bump, but, you know, the referee doesn’t call it, he’s just doing his quick little thing as he’s getting back on defense to the ref. Yaxel clearly came in amped up and looking for the chrip.”
While Slater didn’t outright call Lendeborg a liar, he didn’t see Donic’s performance as just that – a performance. He was just his usual self during a blowout and Lendeborg has a big personality that the Warriors covet.
The Lakers take on the Clippers next on Friday.
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