Tim Hardaway Jr. responds to father's criticisms of Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic

The Dallas Mavericks are on the outside looking in at the Western Conference playoff picture and are now dealing with some unneeded distractions away from the floor. 

On Wednesday, Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway criticized star Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, questioning their leadership qualities. Later in the day, Mavericks veteran shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. responded, saying he disagreed with his father's comments "1,000 percent." 

"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," Hardaway said in a statement via ESPN's Tim MacMahon. "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 have been in without him." 

Hardaway Jr. also lauded Irving for being a leader since arriving, adding that he's constantly checking in on teammates. 

"Kyrie has been nothing [other] than a leader since he's been here — making sure that everybody's good on and off the floor," Hardaway said. "Texting everybody in our group in the player-only just to make sure everybody's good, everybody's holding together, staying strong." 

Hardaway Jr.'s father, a former 13-year NBA veteran, fired shots at Doncic, Irving and the Mavericks on "The Carton Show" with Craig Carton Wednesday morning.

"They're missing a leader out there," Hardaway said. "Luka is not a leader, Kyrie is not a leader, Jalen Brunson wasn't a leader."

When the Mavericks acquired Irving in February, many believed he could be the missing piece to Dallas' playoff puzzle. However, with only three games remaining, the Mavericks (37-42) entered play Wednesday night trailing the Oklahoma City Thunder (38-42) by a half-game for the final spot in the play-in tournament.