Woj: Raps Hire Darko Rajakovic - Live Stream PG 39

[TimeForChange]

From the Athletic's Anonymous NBA player poll 2025

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6296394/2025/04/22/anonymous-nba-player-poll-2025-mvp-sga-jokic-analytics/

[Raps in 4]

From the Athletic's Anonymous NBA player poll 2025

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6296394/2025/04/22/anonymous-nba-player-poll-2025-mvp-sga-jokic-analytics/

Professional athletes are so **** dumb.

[mihaic]

From the Athletic's Anonymous NBA player poll 2025

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6296394/2025/04/22/anonymous-nba-player-poll-2025-mvp-sga-jokic-analytics/

We should have hired Jordi. Oh wait he's also on the list, dang.

[Dalek]

As a coach playing for wins and making good in-game decisions, I am in agreement, he was poor. Darko is an amateur who gets routinely outcoached but some of it is self-inflicted with his developmental lineups and free reign for young players to shoot tough shots.

As a motivator he is special. Players buy into him, especially guards:

-Denis Schroeder rehabbed his career and is now playing well on Detroit in the playoffs.
-Davion Mitchell was an add-on in a salary dump for a pick, and he found his shot here and showcased his high level defense.
-RJ Barrett is essentially a big playmaking guard and his floor game expanded well beyond what he was doing in NY to almost triple double territory.
-Jamal Shead was not considered a high level shooting PG, and he developed to be more well-rounded here.
-IQ is probably the only PG that hasn't lived up to expectation but you can see how Darko has pushed him to be a pull-up threat and a more willing passer.

If we do draft a guard like Harper or VJ or Fears or Richardson or Demin it will be interesting to see what he does with lotto talent.

[Raps in 4]

As a coach playing for wins and making good in-game decisions, I am in agreement, he was poor. Darko is an amateur who gets routinely outcoached but some of it is self-inflicted with his developmental lineups and free reign for young players to shoot tough shots.

As a motivator he is special. Players buy into him, especially guards:

-Denis Schroeder rehabbed his career and is now playing well on Detroit in the playoffs.
-Davion Mitchell was an add-on in a salary dump for a pick, and he found his shot here and showcased his high level defense.
-RJ Barrett is essentially a big playmaking guard and his floor game expanded well beyond what he was doing in NY to almost triple double territory.
-Jamal Shead was not considered a high level shooting PG, and he developed to be more well-rounded here.
-IQ is probably the only PG that hasn't lived up to expectation but you can see how Darko has pushed him to be a pull-up threat and a more willing passer.

If we do draft a guard like Harper or VJ or Fears or Richardson or Demin it will be interesting to see what he does with lotto talent.

IQ has barely played since being traded here.

Scottie is the one I'm most disappointed by. He always talks about how he's a PG. But he hasn't developed any PG skills in four years. I don't pin the blame for that on Darko, just speaking in general.

[WuTang_CMB]

good darko stuff 2nd half of this episode
players love him

Watch on YouTube

[WuTang_CMB]

https://basketnews.com/news-227418-rajakovic-talks-shocking-raptors-restructure-shares-insights-on-nils-global-impact.html

The Ujiri Shock and the Raptors’ Rebuild
The off-season saw a major shift for the Raptors with the departure of Masai Ujiri as President of Basketball Operations.

For Rajakovic, it was a jolt. “Masai is an amazing human and leader. He gave me this opportunity. His exit was shocking, but I understand this business. Everything runs in cycles.”

Despite the leadership change, Rajakovic remains optimistic. “We have a great young core, and strong support from ownership and the front office. We’re positioned for success.”

The Coaching Game: No Job Is Safe
Coaching in the NBA means living on the edge. “There are two types of coaches,” Rajakovic quipped. “Those who have been fired and those who will be fired. If you want security, get a job at the post office.”

He emphasized that longevity comes from alignment and patience within an organization. “The most successful franchises maintain continuity and understand their goals.”

Despite working in a league often dominated by media speculation and trade rumors, Rajakovic chooses to block out the noise. “I don’t use social media. I don’t read the news. I focus on what I can control.”

He trusts the Raptors' front office to handle personnel matters. “They’re professionals. My job is to coach. If and when a trade becomes serious, we discuss it then.

[WuTang_CMB]

Watch on YouTube