The Dallas Mavericks are a better team with Luka Doncic. That is an undeniable fact that can’t and shouldn’t be refuted. But for the father of Mavs shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr., Tim Hardaway Sr., the ball movement of Dallas is just better when Doncic is off the floor.
“When Luka’s not playing, the ball moves better,” Hardaway Sr. said on The Carton Show.
"When Luka's not playing, the ball moves better."
— @HardawaySr on the Mavericks pic.twitter.com/6oTvWR3IeJ
— The Carton Show (@TheCartonShow) May 10, 2024
Hardaway Sr. may be right that the leather moves more around without Doncic on the court, but is there another player on the team outside of Kyrie Irving that the Mavericks would trust to have the ball more than the Slovenian star? It is also important to note here that Hardaway Sr.’s comment was part of a reaction to a report that an anonymous veteran coach said that Doncic’s teammates feel a sense of relief whenever the MVP finalist leaves the floor and heads to the bench.
It is not a good time for the Mavericks to get sidetracked by a negative comment made by a relative of one of their key players while in the middle of a tough playoff battle against the Oklahoma City Thunder. It could take away some of the momentum the Mavs garnered after a 119-110 road win over the Thunder on Thursday in which Doncic scored 29 points and shot 11/21 from the field. Doncic also assisted seven times and grabbed 10 boards.
Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks Head Home for Game 3 of Thunder Series
Doncic and the Mavs successfully stole a win in Oklahoma City in Game 2 to level the series at 1-1. That win on Thursday also gave Dallas a nice boost heading into its first home game in the second round. Game 3 will take place on Saturday at American Airlines Center in Dallas.
For More NBA And College Basketball Content:
Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) at @Rexwell14. Also, do not forget to follow us at @HardwoodHeroics for even more great basketball content. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in the world of the NBA, college basketball, and also the WNBA, while the 2024 NBA Playoffs are in full swing, click here!
