Yaxel Lendeborg Admits He Hated Steph Curry and We're All Wondering What Our Guys Think of Their Rivals

Alright, Seattle sports fam, buckle up because the 2026 NBA Draft just gave us a moment that has the whole sports world buzzing, and it makes you think about our own rivalries. Seriously, new Warriors first-round pick Yaxel Lendeborg straight up admitted he "used to hate" none other than Stephen Curry, the face of their franchise! Can you even imagine that kind of raw honesty from one of our own rookies? It's wild!

NBA Draft Drama: A Seattle Fan's Take

Lendeborg, snagged by Golden State with the No. 11 pick in the 2026 NBA Draft, was reportedly seen as a profoundly logical pick and someone who checks all the boxes for the Warriors. Even with reports that the Dubs actually had one NBA draft prospect ranked above him, that kind of candid talk about a future teammate just sets a whole new tone. Mike Dunleavy even had a viral draft-room interaction with Joe Lacob, so you know the drama was thick. The first round saw the Bulls and Warriors making the "winners" list, with the Sacramento Kings grabbing Darius Acuff Jr. at No. 7 and reportedly adding Alex Karaban. It’s all happening, and while our focus is always on Lumen Field and T-Mobile Park, you gotta pay attention to the league-wide chatter, especially when it involves this much spice!

Closer to Home: Hawks, 'Niners, and Early Season Sports Chatter

Speaking of real insight and growth, let's talk about our very own Seahawks QB Sam Darnold. He just explained how his time with the 49ers gave him a "PhD in football." How cool is that? You g

Trade on Every Game with Kalshi

Click Here to sign up to Kalshi — Free $10 when you sign up using our link or use code: ONTAPSEA. The only federally regulated prediction market in the US. Trade on real sports outcomes. Available in all 50 states.

otta love a guy who learns and grows, and we're hyped to see that kind of wisdom hit our field at Lumen. That's the kind of experience that can change games! But we always gotta keep an eye on the competition, right? Over in San Francisco, George Kittle is pushing hard for a 49ers return “without being an idiot” and is targeting a Week 1 comeback, even reuniting with Kyle Juszczyk at TEU. You know our guys on the Seahawks are watching that closely. On the baseball diamond, the Giants are in the thick of their 2026 struggles, and Buster Posey had to send a message to frustrated fans. He even likened a Rafael Devers incident to a 2016 Santiago Casilla outburst. They did manage a 3-1 win against the Athletics, fueled by Jung Hoo Lee and Robbie Ray, with Lee even recounting his longest homer. The Athletics couldn't overcome an early deficit in that series opener, and they're dealing with a Zack Gelof hand injury. Mark Kotsay and Aaron Civale addressed the loss in their press conference. It’s early season, and drama is already brewing out there! And in hockey, the Sharks just made a big move, dealing William Eklund for the No. 9 draft pick and adding a third 2026 first-rounder by trading him to the Senators. Plus, Mike Grier and the Sharks were reportedly getting heavy interest for their No. 2 pick. So yeah, a lot is going on in the sports world right now, from wild NBA draft admissions to NFL rival updates and West Coast baseball drama. But for us, it all comes back to our teams. Sam Darnold's "PhD in football" has us buzzing, and we're ready to see that knowledge translate to wins. Keep that passion burning, Seattle!

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.