Yaxel Lendeborg credited the NBA 2K video game series with helping him develop his basketball decision-making skills, explaining that playing point guard in the game improved his ability to read defenses.
The Warriors forward said he regularly played point guard in NBA 2K, which helped him practice recognizing defensive situations and anticipating opponents’ reactions.
“I played point guard every year in 2K. I’ve learned how to make reads. I learned how they’re going to defend this and this and that.”
According to Lendeborg, those experiences have carried over to real basketball, where he feels more comfortable identifying defensive movements and making decisions.
“So then when I get into an actual game, it’s kind of already slowed down for me. I know guys are going to try to bait at this move. They’re going to try to reach in this lane.”
He explained that anticipating defenders’ actions allows him to consider multiple options before making a play, rather than reacting only after the defense makes its move.
“So then it’s like, having three options at all time. And that’s kind of something I developed from 2K.”
