Draymond Green Already Started Trash Talking the Warriors’ Rookie Before He Even Arrived

Yaxel Lendeborg hasn’t even unpacked his bags in the Bay Area yet and Draymond Green is already chirping at him. That’s just how it goes when you get drafted by the Golden State Warriors, especially when you come from Michigan and your veteran teammate is a Michigan State lifer.

Green posted a screenshot of a video call with Spartans coach Tom Izzo on his Instagram Story. The caption was aimed directly at Lendeborg, the Warriors’ No. 11 pick who just led Michigan to a national title. Green wrote: “@yaxellendeborg It’s 6 a.m. From the south of France. Your coach is not like mine. Very cute six-month ring though. Go Green!”

For context, Michigan and Michigan State have one of the nastiest rivalries in college sports. They don’t like each other. Green, a former Spartan, was never going to let Lendeborg’s championship ring go unnoticed. He had to say something.

Lendeborg didn’t back down. He responded on his own Instagram Story with: “Don’t worry, guys, we’ll get a ‘Go Blue’ by the end of the season. 2-0 with the natty #DustyForPresident.” That’s a reference to Dusty May, the former Michigan coach who recently left for the Dallas Mavericks. Lendeborg is betting he can convert Green by the time the season ends.

This is all friendly stuff. Veterans roast rookies. College rivalries spill into the NBA. Green and Lendeborg are going to be teammates, not enemies. Green never won a national title at Michigan State—he was Big Ten Player of the Year and Big Ten Tournament Most Outstanding Player, but no ring. Lendeborg has one. That alone gives him some ammo.

What This Means for the Warriors

Green has a history of taking young guys under his wing once the trash talk settles. Lendeborg is going to learn a lot from him—how to defend multiple positions, how to read offenses, how to be an irritant on the court. The Warriors didn’t draft him just for his college stats. They want his toughness.

Training camp hasn’t started yet, but the mental reps are already underway. Lendeborg is getting a preview of what life in the NBA is like: veterans testing you, fans watching, social media buzzing. He handled the first test just fine.

If he can handle Draymond, he can handle just about anyone.