“There’s some freaks in this league”: 6-foot-8 Denver Nuggets forward gives subtle warning to Luka Doncic’s Warriors rival amid rematch hype

Aaron Gordon has a message for Golden State rookie Yaxel Lendeborg, and it is not a gentle one. The Denver Nuggets forward told the first-year player to stay with it because of some monstrous superstars. Of course, he did not name Luka Doncic but it appears to be a subtle hint. Gordon backed the warning with a story of his own, which began as a No. 1 option in Orlando and ended with a title in Denver. The words reach Lendeborg as the Warriors get ready for another night against Luka Doncic and the Lakers. Lendeborg and Doncic already traded words on opening night. Friday brings round two at Chase Center.What did Aaron Gordon tell Yaxel Lendeborg?The 6-foot-8 forward spoke in a conversation shared online, and the message was plain. Showing up with talent does not protect anyone from getting humbled.Gordon used Orlando as the example. He said the idea of being the top option there was not really true. Denver asked for less, a few steps back in role. The result was a championship and a better all-around game today.“As far as, like, your NBA journey, just stay with it. There’s some freaks in this league, you know what I mean? Like real monsters in this league,” Gordon said.Lendeborg got a second piece of advice. Gordon told the rookie to carry the lessons from his mother and from work, since those are the reasons Golden State picked him.The path is different from the one Lendeborg is on. Gordon took a smaller role to win. The rookie is carrying a scoring load the Warriors need.How has Lendeborg played ahead of the Luka Doncic rematch?Through five games, Lendeborg is averaging 22.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.0 steals. The past three have been stronger, at 27.7 points and 10.0 rebounds a night. Kings rookie Darius Acuff Jr. is the only other first-year player scoring at a similar rate, and his efficiency is far lower.Doncic has been bigger still. He leads the league at 36.0 points a game through four, with 52 against Utah and 41 against Portland. Soreness kept him out of Wednesday’s win over the Clippers, but Lakers coach JJ Redick does not expect another absence.Opening night set the tone. Lendeborg started the chatter while guarding Doncic, picked up a technical, and the Lakers won. Warriors coach Steve Kerr has said he would rather the rookie ease off, yet he is not trying to change him. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green want the emotion to stay. Asked this week about facing Doncic again, Lendeborg said “Absolutely” and saved the rest for Friday.The game airs nationally on Amazon Prime Video.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.