The Toronto Raptors are one of a few NBA teams that appear to be in a bind right now. The Raptors have a lot of talent on their team, but they have only won nine games in their first 20 games. Darko Rajakovic, the team’s head coach, admitted after their 119-106 loss to the New York Knicks that he is still figuring things out with his new team.
After working as an assistant coach for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Phoenix Suns, and Memphis Grizzlies, Rajakovic was named the Raptors’ replacement for Nick Nurse after they parted ways this offseason. This is Rajakovic’s first season as an NBA head coach, and he’ll need time to find his footing as a leader in this league. Unsurprisingly, Rajakovic believes the Raptors are still looking for their identity 20 games into the season.
It’s unsettling to hear Darko Rajakovic be so open about the Raptors’ struggles, but this is likely what the team expected in his first year as head coach. Again, Rajakovic had never been a head coach before this season, and given Toronto’s rocky campaign last year, it was going to take time for anyone to come in and make the necessary changes to this team.
In some ways, the Raptors have improved from last season, but you can’t expect them to have all the answers after only 20 games; no team has figured everything out yet this season. But, for Toronto to reach their full potential, they must first figure out who they are as a team, and it will be up to Rajakovic to lead that charge.
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