2023-06-13 19:48:59
Rajakovic took over from Nick Nurse, who was fired on April 21 after five seasons at the helm of the Toronto team. He became the 10th head coach in Raptors history, the face of a new era
which begins in Toronto, according to President Masai Ujiri.
We are really very excited. I know it’s about change and sometimes change is hard, but we believe it’s a good thing for our team and our organization
the Nigerian said straight away.
It is a great honor for us, after a long process, to choose what we feel is the right person, an incredible coach who has great passion, great knowledge and has been part of incredible programs.
Rajakovic was not the favorite candidate of the Raptors’ big boys at the start of the hiring process, but he was able to win their hearts along the way, said general manager Bobby Webster.
We were really open minded about who we wanted to meet and he really exceeded our expectations every step of the way.
he pointed out.
The 44-year-old Serbian is unknown to most basketball fans, and for good reason. He was never a head coach in the NBA and wasn’t often mentioned in the rumor mill for other positions either. His wealth of experience is no less impressive.
Rajakovic was Taylor Jenkins’ senior assistant coach with the Memphis Grizzlies and, before that, a trusted man to Monty Williams with the Phoenix Suns. He was also an assistant coach for five years with the Oklahoma City Thunder and head coach of their NBA Development League branch for two seasons, from 2012 to 2014.
years before becoming an assistant coach for the first time in the NBA. So I held this position for many, many years abroad, in Serbia, Spain and GLeague. So I know very well what it is to be the one who makes the decisions and to live this daily life”,”text”:”I was a head coach for 17 years before becoming an assistant coach for the first time in the NBA. So I held this position for many, many years abroad, in Serbia, Spain and the GLeague. So I know very well what it is to be the one who makes the decisions and to live this daily life””>I was a head coach for 17 years before becoming an assistant coach for the first time in the NBA. So I held this position for many, many years abroad, in Serbia, in Spain and in the G League. So I know very well what it is to be the one who makes the decisions and to live this daily
explained the main interested party, who also began his coaching career at 16 in Serbia.
Often described as a development specialist, Rajakovic stressed that he hopes to build strong bonds with his players on a personal level above all else.
I want these players to know that I really care about them
he said. From the day I started coaching, what I enjoyed the most was seeing the players improve. We want to win every night, but seeing the team grow, the people grow, that’s been my biggest reward.
Darko Rajakovic is the 10th head coach in Toronto Raptors history.
Photo : NBA.com
The president of the Raptors, Masai Ujiri, concluded the press conference by hammering that he does not intend to embark on a long reconstruction. The objective of the Toronto team is still to win, to find the fastest route to the conquest of another championship.
It’s time to follow us. Now is the time to support us. It’s time to get started. Let’s all go together and win. Let’s go and start over. We’ve done it here before and we’ll do it again
he exclaimed.
The staff of the Raptors did not wish to say much about his point guard Fred VanVleet who chose yesterday to decline the option provided for in his contract for the next season in order to become a free agent.
I’m on good terms with Fred. I spoke to him yesterday. We expected that, to be honest. It wasn’t unexpected [comme décision]
a dit le dg Bobby Webster.
Remember that the Raptors are at the heart of an important offseason, while VanVleet, Gary Trent Jr. and Jakob Poeltl can all take advantage of their complete autonomy this summer. At a crossroads, they will have many far-reaching decisions to make in the coming weeks.
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