Kerr Calls Out Yaxel Lendeborg with Brutally Honest Quote on 'Very Poor' Awareness in New Video

Golden State Warriors rookie Yaxel Lendeborg has wasted no time making an impression early in his NBA career in large part because he ripped Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić, but his head coach wants him to focus on the defensive side of the ball.

"The biggest thing is just continuing to learn the NBA," Steve Kerr told reporters after Saturday's 131-122 loss to the Phoenix Suns. "… The defensive side is where I want to see the most improvement, though. His weak-side awareness right now is very poor. And with his size, he should be one of our best defenders at the rim. And right now, he's unaware on the weak-side. And that's an area he really has to improve."

Despite the defensive concerns, Lendeborg has impressed on the offensive end through his first three games.

He has scored in double digits every time he's taken the court, including in Saturday's contest when he poured in 26 points behind 6-of-11 shooting from three-point range. He also grabbed nine rebounds and dished out five assists.

Warriors-Suns Highlights

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With Stephen Curry (right knee), Brandin Podziemski (low back), Draymond Green (low back) and Al Horford (low back) all sidelined, Lendeborg assumed a larger role and finished with a team-high in scoring.

However, defense was an issue for both him and the team as a whole.

Devin Booker exploded for 43 points and seemingly had an answer every time the Warriors built some momentum.

That Kerr is focused on Lendeborg's defense is notable because opponents will likely look to target him with pick-and-rolls and matchup advantages if he doesn't make strides on that end of the floor.

And they will also likely seek him out if he doesn't back down in the trash-talking department after getting into it with Dončić during the Warriors' opener:

The Michigan product told reporters he "lost all respect" for the Lakers star, going as far as saying he "sucks" and "can't score on me."

He then doubled down and said Dončić is "not Michael Jordan."

Continuing to talk trash like that is going to draw attention, so Lendeborg's defense will be under the spotlight throughout his rookie campaign.