Steph Curry is known for his sharpshooting, his four NBA championships, and his ability to respond to any situation with a mix of humor and competitiveness. That was on full display on June 24, 2026, when the Golden State Warriors' superstar took to Instagram to address the latest addition to his team: rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
Just hours after Lendeborg's press conference admitting he used to hate Curry during the iconic 2016 NBA Finals, Curry posted a comment on Lendeborg's Instagram that quickly went viral. "Let's go! Welcome to the Bay! I'm going to work hard to be your new favorite player 😂" Curry wrote, turning what could have been an awkward moment into a welcoming challenge.
The Draft Night Confession
Yaxel Lendeborg, a 6-foot-9 forward from the University of Michigan, entered the 2026 NBA Draft as one of the most versatile prospects in his class. Known for his rebounding, shot-blocking, and ability to stretch the floor, he was considered a perfect fit for the Warriors' system. But what made headlines wasn't his stats or his highlight reels—it was his honesty about his past feelings toward the Warriors' franchise player.
In his post-draft press conference, Lendeborg, a self-described Kyrie Irving fan, admitted: "I used to hate Steph Curry. I was a big Kyrie guy during those Cavs-Warriors finals. I just didn't like the way he celebrated or the way the Warriors were winning everything. But now? I'm thrilled to be his teammate." The admission was met with laughter from the media, but it also revealed a deep-seated rivalry that defined Lendeborg's teenage years.
Curry's Signature Response
Curry, now 38 years old and entering his 18th NBA season, is no stranger to trash talk or lighthearted banter. His Instagram reply was classic Curry: confident yet self-deprecating, competitive yet welcoming. By saying he would "work hard" to become Lendeborg's favorite player, Curry acknowledged the history while signaling that he's still hungry to prove himself—even to a rookie more than a decade younger.
This response fits a pattern of Curry's interactions with younger players. When Jordan Poole was drafted in 2019, Curry mentored him closely. When Jonathan Kuminga arrived in 2021, Curry helped him adjust. Curry's leadership style has always been about earning respect through action, not demanding it. His message to Lendeborg was a promise: give me a chance, and I'll win you over.
A Rivalry Born in 2016
The 2016 NBA Finals remain one of the most intense series in basketball history. The Cleveland Cavaliers, led by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, came back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the 73-9 Golden State Warriors. Curry, the unanimous MVP that season, was the face of a team that had dominated the regular season but ultimately fell short. For a young Lendeborg, then a teenager growing up in Michigan, Irving's clutch shot over Curry in Game 7 was the defining image of that series.
"I just remember thinking, 'I hate Steph Curry,'" Lendeborg later explained. "It wasn't personal—I just hated that he was the reason my guy Kyrie didn't get the respect he deserved. But as I got older and started playing more basketball myself, I realized that what Curry did was incredible. The work ethic, the skill, the way he carried himself. I couldn't stay mad forever."
The evolution from hater to teammate is a familiar arc in the NBA. Many players who once rooted against Curry—like Kevin Durant (who joined the Warriors in 2016) or DeMarcus Cousins (who joined in 2018)—eventually became his biggest advocates. Lendeborg is the latest example of a player who let childhood bias give way to professional admiration.
From Hater to Teammate
Lendeborg's conversion story didn't start on draft night. He had already met Curry in person when he attended the Warriors' play-in tournament game against the Los Angeles Clippers in April 2026. The two spoke briefly, and Lendeborg was struck by Curry's genuine interest in his game. Later, during his pre-draft workout with the Warriors, Curry was on hand to observe. "He was just so cool," Lendeborg recalled. "He asked me about my family, about my game, about what I wanted to learn. That's when I knew—if I got drafted here, it would be a dream come true."
The handshake that followed that meeting effectively ended the hatred. By the time the Warriors selected Lendeborg with the 11th pick—after what sources described as an "animated discussion" between general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. and owner Joe Lacob—the rookie was already a fan of his new teammate. But Curry wanted to make sure the message was clear: he wasn't going to let the past define the future.
The Warriors' Draft Strategy
The selection of Lendeborg was a significant moment for the Warriors, a team that has walked a tightrope between competing now and planning for the future. After finishing the 2025-26 season with a 45-37 record and a first-round playoff exit, the front office committed to retooling around Curry rather than rebuilding. Lendeborg, with his length, defensive instincts, and growing offensive game, is seen as a player who can contribute immediately—whether as a backup big or a small-ball five.
Lendeborg averaged 18.4 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.8 blocks in his junior season at Michigan, earning Second Team All-America honors. His ability to switch onto guards and protect the rim fits perfectly alongside a perimeter-oriented star like Curry. Moreover, his shooting stroke—36.5% from three on 4.1 attempts per game—means he can space the floor, a non-negotiable in the Warriors' system.
Curry's Enduring Legacy
At 38, Curry is defying the typical decline curve. He averaged 27.8 points, 5.9 assists, and 5.2 rebounds in the 2025-26 season, still capable of the explosive scoring nights that made him a global icon. His longevity is a testament to his work ethic, and he has embraced the role of mentor to the next generation. "I never want to be the guy who hoards knowledge," Curry said in a recent interview. "I want to pass it on. If Yaxel or any other young player can learn from my mistakes and my successes, that's a win for all of us."
That philosophy is why Curry's Instagram comment resonated so deeply. It wasn't just a joke—it was an invitation. It said: "I see your past, and I'm not threatened. Let's build something new." For Lendeborg, that kind of welcome is invaluable. He arrives in the NBA with the blessing of a legend who has been exactly where he is: a young player trying to prove himself in a league full of stars.
The 2016 rivalry that made Lendeborg a Curry hater is ancient history now. What is not ancient history is what Curry still can do on a basketball court—and if Lendeborg is serious about learning from one of the greatest players to ever play the game, he chose the right team to land on. With Curry's mentorship, Lendeborg has the chance to develop into a two-way force, and the Warriors have the chance to extend their championship window.
But if Lendeborg needed any proof that his new teammate has a sense of humor, he got it fast. Welcome to the Bay, indeed.
Source:Yahoo Sports News