On Nov. 22, Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic picked up an impressive win against Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Toronto is starting to look more formidable as its young stars return.
Despite an ugly start, this Raptors team has been extremely competitive and RJ Barrett has held the fort down throughout this injury bug.
But Minnesota, coming off a Western Conference Finals appearance last season, came into this year with lofty expectations. Edwards, being a generational scorer, played a role in that.
Rajakovic had his hands full trying to contain Edwards but ultimately picked up an impressive win. The former No. 1 pick led the Timberwolves in scoring with 26 points on 9-for-20 from the field.
Before the game, Toronto’s head coach praised Edwards and compared him to one of, if not the greatest player of all time: Michael Jordan.
“I think Anthony Edwards did not turn into Steph Curry, but he’s slowly turning into Michael Jordan,” Rajakovic told reporters. “To be honest with you, Michael Jordan was my idol and the best player that I ever watched, I always admired him. I think Anthony Edwards is the closest that I’ve ever seen to Michael Jordan, just the way he moves on the court, just how competitive he is. There are amazing competitors in this league but this kid has something special, I have a ton of respect for him.”
Obviously, it does not get much higher than that. This was a common connection made last postseason due to Edwards’s emergence.
Edwards is now the leader of the Timberwolves and will embrace that challenge. There is plenty to learn still, but to have a passionate and talented player like him is something Minnesota can’t take for granted.
Darko Rajakovic urges patience
The Raptors are entering a new era as a franchise and rebuilds are not usually pretty.
Injuries and occasional blowout losses have dampened the early part of the season for Toronto. Which prompted Darko Rajakovic to preach patience as the team navigated through this rough patch.
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