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Rajakovic overcomes hardship to pass his first test as the Raptors’ head coach…………………………..
The trial of Darko Rajakovic by fire is almost over.
The Raptors bench boss has faced nearly every challenge as his first NBA head coach season mercifully comes to an end this weekend.
Few players have faced as much testing as Rajakovic has right from the start, including an unprecedented lawsuit accusing him and several staff members of stealing confidential information before coaching his first game, a late-season gambling scandal involving one of his players, trades that changed the course of the franchise, season-ending injuries, and a constantly shifting roster.
With just two games left in Miami, he and his club have faced many obstacles en route to a 25-55 record, but there is something admirable about the manner they are capping off a disappointing season.
It was evident in their battle to overcome the second-seeded Milwaukee Bucks and avert a historic losing run last week, as well as in the way the bench-based starters encouraged their younger colleagues following an unexpectedly close Game 80 loss in Brooklyn on Wednesday.
The Raptors have now lost 17 of their last 19 games, which includes their current 15-game losing streak. Both starting center Jakob Poeltl and all-star and top player Scottie Barnes had hand surgery in early March, so they haven’t been able to play. They have experienced some of the worst losses in the history of the team because they have played games without the majority of their usual starters, and in some cases, all of them.
However, unlike other teams, this one hasn’t given up, cracked, or stopped paying attention to the coach. That speaks highly of the locker room leader, a man whose message and upbeat demeanor have remained constant since his first day of work.
Veteran Garrett Temple said of Rajakovic, “More times than not, the team is going to take on the coach’s disposition.” “Although this is his first head coaching position in this league, I’d venture to bet that in all his other positions, he hasn’t experienced this level of change, this many variables, or this many events. He has so done a fantastic job of keeping the team motivated.
Gary Trent Jr. said earlier this week on TSN, “No matter what the situation is, no matter what the circumstances are, whether he’s got five G Leaguers out there playing at one time, his approach every day has been beautiful.” “Darko has been fantastic, but he knew there would be a learning curve when he took on this challenging role. crucial in ensuring positive team dynamics, maintaining attention, attempting to create a sense of inclusion, and fostering a sense of care and consideration for each individual member.
These characteristics were seen as requirements when the Raptors started looking for a new coach last summer. With all due respect, Nick Nurse is a shrewd strategist who was a head coach for five of his ten years in Toronto and who helped the team win its first championship in 2019. However, the organization was searching for something different after the club failed to live up to expectations and appeared to be divided after their 41-41 loss and play-in tournament elimination previous season. Although Rajakovic wasn’t the front-runner heading into the protracted interview process, his optimism and ability to communicate to and interact with players made him stand out.
The 45-year-old arrived with high praise from players, peers, and previous bosses. The Raptors believed he could command the respect of their senior core, provided they had decided to stick together beyond this season, given his nearly three decades of experience as a coach in his native Serbia, Spain, the G League, and the NBA. However, Rajakovic would be a perfect fit given his knowledge in player development should they chose to go younger and pursue a rebuild.
Every athlete wants to improve at the end of the day, and in my experience, that desire never goes away, according to Rajakovic. Regardless of whether they are veterans or rookies, it is how I handle every player on the team. I’m doing everything in my power to support them in becoming better members of the team as well as better versions of themselves. In many cases, I believe [my experience has] made it easier for me to relate to them.
In addition to working closely with former Raptors Serge Ibaka, All-NBA guard Devin Booker, and a few up-and-coming players in Mikal Bridges and Desmond Bane, Rajakovic served as an assistant in Oklahoma City, Phoenix, and Memphis. Many have acknowledged his contribution to their development.
Though it is now more difficult due to the responsibilities of his new job, Rajakovic continues to work one-on-one with players, often spending time on the court after practice. He’s excited to spend the summer providing more in-person instruction as well. But it goes beyond basketball—he has a natural ability to connect with people. His regular interactions with his players have been crucial in fostering trust.
“He has a positive mindset and a professional approach, whether it’s a simple conversation about how you’re doing or bringing guys into his office at random throughout the season just to see where they’re at mentally,” Trent said.
Rajakovic was questioned concerning Jalen McDaniels, who was benched following four unimpressive first-half minutes, following this past weekend’s victory over Washington. McDaniels made a splash throughout training camp and has been given numerous opportunities to establish a regular position this year. To say he hasn’t squandered those chances would be an understatement. The answer revealed more about Rajakovic’s methodology than it did about the underperforming forward.
Regarding McDaniels, who is signed through the next season, the head coach stated, “I am still hopeful he can figure it out and help us.” “I believe he is an extremely gifted basketball player… All he needs to do is carve out a spot on the court where he can contribute energy, particularly on defense. Thus, I believe he will have an amazing summer. He is going to work really hard, in my opinion. He should be able to play in the rotation and be a major asset to us next year, in my opinion.
There’s no denying that the players appreciate Rajakovic’s faith in them and his back. Though the first-year head coach hasn’t called anyone out in public as his predecessor did, by all accounts, he isn’t afraid to confront his team or give them tough love in a private setting when needed.
Trent remarked of his former head coach, “You might not hear something or a problem [he was having with you] until you heard it from the media.” Which is ok. I have nothing but love for Nick Nurse because he gave me a chance that coaches have never had in their entire lives. However, just one small detail makes it somewhat unique.
“Darko does a fantastic job of attempting to keep everyone engaged, locked in, and focused. You can rely on him. He thinks highly of you. He’s doing a lot of various things, including cracking jokes, being approachable, maintaining a high level of energy, and spreading good feelings.
That has been particularly crucial in this turbulent season. The front staff entirely redesigned the roster that Rajakovic was handed a few months prior in the fewer than six weeks that separated the end of the 2023 calendar year and the February trade deadline.
Eight players, including OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam, the core of the team, were relocated in four different trades. This season, 30 different players made at least one appearance for Toronto—the most in club history. During it all, Rajakovic had to lead this team through several iterations while juggling a rebuild and dealing with devastating personal loss, including the passing of his close friend and Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, RJ Barrett’s younger brother Nathan, and Immanuel Quickley’s uncle Shawn Hamilton.
Before the Mar. 25 game against Brooklyn, Rajakovic remarked, “It looks like I’ve had every possible scenario thrown at me this year and I’m trying to figure it out.” This was less than an hour before ESPN revealed that the NBA was looking into Raptors big man Jontay Porter for his possible involvement in irregular betting. I am learning a great deal. I’m learning how to take care of myself in the greatest way possible so that every night we can compete.
“That’s just my nature; I want to succeed, and I’m attempting to instill that in our team as well.”
Although it hasn’t always been beautiful, Rajakovic should be commended for holding this group together and winning them over, especially because it took much less to break apart the team from the previous season. The Raptors, who enter Friday’s penultimate game of the season ranked 24th overall, have played a more free-flowing, selfless brand of basketball under their new coach, even though it isn’t evident in their record or offensive rating. They were 23rd in the league a year ago, and now they are fifth in assists.
Success is expected to follow with greater experience, consistency, and eventually talent. It should happen eventually if their youthful core members—Barnes, Barrett, Quickley, and rookie Gradey Dick—keep improving like they have done this season.
Over the course of a losing season, it can be challenging to evaluate players in lopsided games; in those same conditions, evaluating a coach can be even more challenging.
Can Rajakovic effectively lead a team? Can he develop become a superb head coach? Until the Raptors get to the point where they are competing every night, we might not know for sure.
As his first season in Toronto draws to an end, we can state with certainty that he is the ideal head coach for this team since he is a fantastic teacher and an experienced leader.