Yaxel Lendeborg looked sharp in summer league and training camp, but Sunday’s preseason game against the Clippers is his ultimate measuring stick. We will find out if he can handle the speed and physicality of NBA competition right from the tip-off.
Lendeborg is set to start alongside Stephen Curry, Brandin Podziemski, Draymond Green, and Al Horford. On the other side, the Clippers are starting Darius Garland, Max Strus, Derrick Jones Jr., Rui Hachimura, and Isaiah Jackson. Jones Jr. is a top-tier defender who will likely give Lendeborg a rough time, but this could open up chances for Lendeborg to exploit mismatches against Strus or Hachimura on offense.
The bigger challenge, however, will be on the defensive end. Lendeborg had some rough moments in summer league, and facing a group with Garland, Strus, and Hachimura—who can all shoot and score—is a massive step up. He has to stay locked in, or the Clippers will pick him apart.
Meanwhile, Steve Kerr is putting a new spin on Draymond Green’s role. Kerr wants Green to stop staying in the backcourt to bring the ball up. Instead, Green should run straight to the rim and finish plays more often. Kerr also wants him to shoot open threes instead of passing them up. In short, Green is transitioning from a primary playmaker to a play finisher.
The other major storyline is the five-out offense. Kerr says it is all about spacing, but you have to wonder if the Warriors have the right guys to run it. Defenses will happily leave players like Brandon Williams, Gary Payton II, Draymond Green, Charles Bassey, Malevy Leons, and Graham Ike open on the perimeter. A five-out offense struggles when you have two or more players who can’t shoot. It is going to be fascinating to see if the new system works or if the Warriors are forced to fall back on their old habits, which would point to bigger roster issues.
