"UConn runs better offense": Mavericks player's father Tim Hardaway Sr. rips Dallas after Game 1 loss
The Dallas Mavericks were defeated from start to finish by the LA Clippers in Game 1 on Sunday. The Clippers led from wire to wire on the way to a 109-97 win. LA was able to control the game despite missing star forward Kawhi Leonard.
The Mavericks did not get many contributions outside of their two stars, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, and Tim Hardaway Jr. finished with six points in 16 minutes. His father, former NBA player Tim Hardaway Sr., went on The Carton Show and criticized his son's team.
“UConn runs better offense than the Dallas Mavericks,” Tim Hardaway Sr. said.
Hardaway Sr. thinks Dan Hurley’s college national champion team has a better offensive style. He admires their ball distribution, something he does not see with Dallas.
“(UConn) gets everybody moving, every one touching the ball, so they get the defense moving. And then they get the defense confused where they get wide open shots and lobs,” Hardaway Sr. said.
The former NBA player believes the Mavericks put no pressure on the Clippers' defense in Game 1. The Clippers were getting rest on the defensive end as they only had to focus on defending Dallas' two stars.
“Paul George is just standing there on the side like, ‘I’m getting rest.' James Harden is on the other said like, ‘I’m getting rest,’” Hardaway Sr. said. “They are just letting Kyrie and Luka do pick-and-roll and the other guys are not going to move,” Hardaway Sr.
Hardaway Jr.’s father wanted to see a change for Game 2, including general adjustments to Jason Kidd’s game plan.
“They need to run offense, get moving and get other people shots,” Hardaway Sr. said.
Do the Dallas Mavericks need to distribute the ball?
Dallas Mavericks stars Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving dominated the Mavs' offense in Game 1, taking 44 of the team’s 80 shots. Doncic shot 11-of-26 from the field and scored 33 points while Irving went 10-of-18 to finish with 31 points.
The next closest Mavs player was P.J. Washington with 11 points. No other Mavs finished in double figures.
They'll need better shooting from some of their bench players and other rotation guys. Dallas may try to utilize Washington in more screening action to have him act as a rim roller. An increase in offensive production from Washington could give Dallas the offensive improvement they need to compete in Game 2.
They will also need some perimeter shooting improvements from Maxi Kleber and Tim Hardaway Jr. The two went 1/5 from three-point range in Game 1.