Steph Curry had the perfect response after new Warriors rookie admitted he 'used to hate' him

The Golden State Warriors' newest rookie made an honest confession moments after hearing his name called in the 2026 NBA Draft. Stephen Curry couldn't resist having a little fun with it.

After selecting Michigan standout Yaxel Lendeborg in the first round, the Warriors learned that their newest addition wasn't exactly Curry's biggest fan growing up. Lendeborg admitted he rooted for Kyrie Irving during the Warriors-Cavaliers rivalry that defined much of the NBA in the mid-2010s.

Fortunately for Golden State, there are clearly no hard feelings.

Yaxel Lendeborg admits he rooted against Steph Curry

Speaking with reporters after being drafted, Lendeborg explained why he wasn't cheering for Curry as a kid.

"I'm a big Kyrie guy. So I used to hate Steph Curry."

It's an understandable answer for anyone who grew up watching the Warriors and Cavaliers meet in four consecutive NBA Finals from 2015 through 2018. Curry and Irving were at the center of one of basketball's greatest rivalries, with each producing unforgettable moments on the league's biggest stage. Lendeborg also made it clear those feelings disappeared the moment he became a Warrior.

"Now that I'm actually going to be able to be on the same team with him, play and actually learn so much from him, it means a lot," Lendeborg said. "He's a very great guy, genuine person. It's going to be an honor to be able to watch what he does in person."

Curry delivers a classic response

It didn't take long for Curry to see the rookie's comments. When Lendeborg shared an Instagram post celebrating his selection by Golden State, Curry jumped into the comments with a response that quickly caught fans' attention.

"Let's go! Welcome to the Bay! I'm going to work hard to be your new favorite player."

Lendeborg replied with a laughing emoji before responding:

"We all good man."

The lighthearted exchange gave Warriors fans an early glimpse of the chemistry that could develop between the franchise icon and the team's newest first-round pick.

A perfect mentor for Golden State's newest rookie

Lendeborg enters a situation few rookies ever experience. Instead of being asked to immediately carry a rebuilding franchise, he'll have the opportunity to learn from one of the greatest players in NBA history. Curry has spent more than a decade showing teammates what it takes to thrive under the pressure of championship expectations while becoming the face of one of the league's modern dynasties.

For Lendeborg, the player he once rooted against is now the teammate he'll be learning from every day. And judging by Curry's welcoming message, the relationship is already off to a strong, and humorous, start.