That attitude, that outlook, that consistent positivity is deeply ingrained in his character. It sends a message that he sees good in even the darkest moments. Darko Rajakovic is unfailingly positive and upbeat, supportive and determined, and he always has his players’ backs. The Raptors coach tosses out the word “amazing” at least once in every conversation he has with a gaggle of reporters. This player’s work ethic is amazing, the potential up and down the roster is amazing, the way the Raptors react to each other and what’s being asked of them in the long term is amazing.
That attitude, that outlook, that consistent positivity is deeply ingrained in his character. It sends a message that he sees good in even the darkest moments.It is surely being tested now, and how the coach reacts could very well determine how the last 60 games of the NBA regular season play out. Rajakovic doesn’t have to become some raving lunatic ripping his players needlessly; he doesn’t have to change an iota of his character. What he needs to do is change something, big or small, because the current situation is becoming more untenable as each week goes on.
The obvious place to look is the team’s starting lineup, which has struggled more often than not. In the Raptors’ recent stretch of losses, five defeats in six games, the starting five has scuffled right off the bat. They have faced double-digit deficits, some as big as 20 points, in the first quarter or early into the second in four of those six games and have been a group minus in five of them. And in their three most recent losses, the Raptors have given up 35 (Charlotte), 37 (Miami) and 34 first-quarter points (New York), which is another damning indictment of the starting five
