Tim Hardaway Jr. was forced into damage control mode this week.
Hardaway Jr’s father, Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway, recently made harsh comments about the Dallas Mavericks, slamming the leadership of both Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving while voicing multiple other criticisms of his son's team team. You can read what he said to say here.
On Wednesday, Hardaway Jr, the Mavericks guard, distanced himself from his father’s comments.
“I disagree with it 1000%,” Hardaway Jr. said, per ESPN’s Tim MacMahon. “I’ve come out numerous 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 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 more than a leader since he’s been here,” added Hardaway Jr. “Making sure that everybody’s good on and off the floor, texting everybody in our group, a player-only chat … Nothing but leadership there … I love him to death … my dad, [but] he made a mistake. It’s his opinion, not mine. We’re two different human beings, so that’s really all I can say.”
The elder Hardaway’s comments were a tough look, as Hardaway Jr. is one of the longest-tenured Mavericks, having been with the organization since the 2018-19 season. Itfeels like Hardaway Jr. almost had to come out with this statement to stamp out any unnecessary drama.
The Mavericks' troubles extend far beyond the Hardaway family, though. As of this Thursday posting, Dallas sits at four games under .500 (38-42) and may need a miracle to even qualify for the play-in tournament. Owner Mark Cuban has not really been helping matters lately, either.
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