The Dallas Mavericks have struggled after the deadline this season, and it has become clear that there are issues with their roster construction. The team is unlikely to make the playoffs this season, and they are far away from championship contention.
Former star Tim Hardaway has blamed Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving for the Dallas Mavericks’ issues, claiming that neither of the two is a leader. However, Tim Hardaway Jr. recently disagreed with his father, stating that both players have exhibited leadership.
“I didn’t wake up this morning thinking that I had to focus in on this topic, but it is my dad. I love him dearly. He’s been in his league for so many years now, so just for him to say that, I disagree with it 1000%,” Tim Hardaway Jr. said. “I’ve come out numerous of times and told you all how much leadership Luka has shown throughout my whole entire time here in Dallas. He shows it on and off the floor, and a lot of the situations that we’ve been in as a team, we wouldn’t be in without him. So let’s just set that straight.
“And Kyrie has been nothing [other] than a leader since he’s been here — making sure that everybody’s good on and off the floor, texting everybody in our group in the player-only just to make sure everybody’s good, everybody’s holding together, staying strong. Nothing but leadership there.”
Tim Hardaway Jr. requested to speak to @CallieCaplan and me to make it clear that he wasn’t happy with his dad’s criticism of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as leaders. “I disagree with it 1000%” https://t.co/UaWowoArK7 pic.twitter.com/Wy1zol4HSE
— Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) April 5, 2023
There is no doubt that what constitutes leadership is subjective. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are both elite players who lead by example on the court and in the locker room. It is clear that Tim Hardaway Jr. respects both players, and we’ll see if anyone else speaks out about this issue.
Luka Doncic Blames Himself For The Dallas Mavericks’ Struggles
Part of being a leader is taking accountability when things are tough, and it seems as though Luka Doncic has done just that. Previously, he claimed that the “one to blame” is him, and it is clear that Doncic takes losing personally.
“A lot. I’m the leader of this team,” Doncic said. “The one to blame is me, so I take a lot.”
It will be interesting to see how Luka Doncic continues growing as a leader throughout his career. He has already shown that he can be the No. 1 option on a team and bring his teammates upwards, but there has to be some growth in terms of being a vocal leader as well.
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