Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic is in his second season taking charge of this youth movement.
After Toronto remained competitive for countless seasons, it was time for the organization to make a change.
By moving on from championship head coach Nick Nurse, president Masai Ujiri opted to go with a rookie in Rajakovic to try and lead this new era of Raptors basketball.
Previously, Rajakovic was on the Memphis Grizzlies staff behind Taylor Jenkins. Notably, the now Raptors coach was credited with developing Desmond Bane, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr.
With nearly two seasons under his belt, Rajakovic is getting the necessary recognition. Golden State Warriors four-time champion Draymond Green praised him after the two teams met on March 20, via Hassan O of RaptorsUpdates:
“He is one of the most intense coaches in the league…I got a lot of respect for Darko [Rajakovic]. I think he’s an incredible coach. He’s got those guys playing hard as hell.”
NBA players are extreme competitors and for this Raptors team to experience this much losing, it begins to take a toll. However, having a coach like Rajakovic, who is able to get his players ready to compete when their season looks to be over is impressive.
In today’s NBA, head coaches have arguably the shortest leash ever as they tend to be the first change when a team’s season goes sideways.
Hopefully, that will not be the case with Rajakovic because he has this team competing regardless of their record. Next season is going to be intriguing with a fully healthy squad plus Brandon Ingram in the fold.
Receiving high praise from a champion, who knows what it takes to win must mean a lot to Rajakovic.
Darko Rajakovic rips Tristian Thompson for late game antics
A signature moment in Darko Rajakovic’s first season as head coach was when he ripped the officiating postgame after a game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Now, he has another one this season as Cleveland Cavaliers center Tristian Thompson got into it with the Raptors late in the fourth quarter. Rajakovic was not having any of that as he ripped Thompson for his late game antics back on Feb. 12.
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