Tim Hardaway Sr. Calls out Mavs' Luka Dončić, Kyrie Irving Over Lack of Leadership

Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Hardaway Sr., the father of Mavericks guard Tim Hardaway Jr., ripped Kyrie Irving and Luka Dončić for their lack of leadership skills during an appearance on The Carton Show.

"They're missing a leader out there. Luka is not a leader, Kyrie is not a leader. Jalen Brunson was a leader," Hardaway said. "A leader shows by example, by playing defense. When he says something, he does it also, and that's what a leader is. And like I said, those two guys are not leaders. They're complementary, dominant great basketball players. Great scorers."

Dallas has gone 8-16 since making the deadline blockbuster trade for Irving, falling all the way out of the NBA's play-in tournament heading into Wednesday night.

Hardaway's perspective is interesting, because one could surmise he has inside knowledge to the locker room dynamics thanks to his son. The Mavericks traded Dorian Finney-Smith and Spencer Dinwiddie along with an unprotected 2029 first-round pick and two future second-round picks to the Brooklyn Nets for Irving at the deadline.

At the time, Dallas was a flawed team but seemingly a lock to make the postseason.

"That trade wasn't for them. I think I would have kept what I had, because I was in the fourth or fifth spot," Hardaway said. "What is not broken does not need to be fixed."

While the Mavs intend to re-sign him, Irving is an unrestricted free agent this summer and has made no commitment to remaining in Dallas. The Mavericks are his fourth NBA organization, and he's left the previous three in ugly fashion.

While many have pointed to the struggles of Dončić and Irving to find a rhythm offensively, Dončić said he believes the lack of defensive cohesion has hurt Dallas the most.

"I don't think offense is the problem," Doncic told reporters Tuesday. "I've always said this. It's our defensive end. I think anybody can score on us. Whoever it is, anybody can score on us."