Tim Hardaway Sr. has once again made headlines for his candid remarks regarding Dallas Mavericks’ star player, Luka Doncic.
Known for his outspoken nature, Hardaway hasn’t shied away from criticizing Doncic in the past, particularly questioning his leadership qualities and referring to him as a “crybaby” for his frequent complaints to referees during games.
It’s worth noting that Hardaway’s perspective on the matter may be influenced by his personal stake in the team, given that his son, Tim Hardaway Jr., is a member of the Mavericks roster.
Despite any previous criticisms, Hardaway Sr. recently offered some fresh advice to Doncic, recognizing the remarkable MVP-caliber season the young phenom has been having.
“I need for Luka to stop dribbling the ball,. You know stop being ball dominant, but that’s his game. You gotta know how to be ball dominant, but you gotta know how to run an offense. Run offense for some guys that need offense ran for them. Kyrie don’t need offense ran for him, but you know somebody like my son, you need a floppy for him, a couple of pin downs for him. You need to get him involved in the game so it can make it easier for you because if you have somebody, like you Mike, you standing in the corner for eight minutes, you’re just running up and down the court for eight minutes, and then they pass you the ball. You’ve got a wide-open jump shot, but you’re not going to make it. You’re not in rhythm. You haven’t even touched the ball.”
Doncic’s partnership with Kyrie Irving has shown promising results, boasting an 18-10 record when they take the court together this season. Overall, the Mavericks have maintained a respectable 32-23 record in the 2023-24 campaign.
Hardaway Sr.’s willingness to speak openly about the team’s dynamics and key players reflects his passion for the game and his desire to see the Mavericks succeed on the court.
Whether his critiques motivate Luka Doncic and the team to perform better remains to be seen, but his perspective certainly adds an interesting dimension to the ongoing discourse surrounding the Mavericks’ season.
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