Coach Darko Rajakovic can forge his own path because he is unencumbered by the past and is not dependent on seasoned veterans for training regimens.
A summer for the Raptors used to have a beat to it.
Draft, Summer League in Vegas, giddy reports from UCLA runs and declarations that everyone looks fantastic, has shed a few pounds, is in excellent physical condition, and their shooting has never looked better.
This year, there may be some changes in the works.
Darko Rajakovic has a few ideas, unencumbered by the past and with long-serving veterans who often choose where the squad might gather in large numbers.
This week, the head coach of the Raptors mentioned, “We’ll have different plans.”
That means spending more time in Toronto and taking occasional trips away to spend some alone time with each other, but it also means a summer of work.
“I see the value of guys being somewhere else where they can actually bond even more and get to know each other a bit more,” he added. “We’re going to get our guys back here for sure; we’re going to work a lot in Toronto.” Enjoy yourself, but don’t forget to work hard.
Rajakovic seemed to possess one thing: control. Pros like Pascal Siakam, Kyle Lowry, and even Fred VanVleet had their summer schedules and go-to locations. It worked perfectly for the Raptors organization.
Rajakovic isn’t dependent on veterans with six, seven, or even ten years of service. With this group, he can choose his own route.
Maybe they’ll move on if he doesn’t enjoy spending weeks at a time in Los Angeles. At the very least, a new summer era has begun.
He declared, “We’re going to try to keep it fresh.” “We’ll try to find the best advantage and angles we can to help our guys and keep it more accustomed to what we’ve had so far,”
Naturally, the former NBA assistant was skeptical of the concept as soon as he heard it, given how much most players like spending weeks in Los Angeles or Florida with their friends.
He chuckled and said, “Good luck with that.”
Give Rajakovic credit, though: He is aware that there is a way to modify the team’s customary summer routine, and he is considering the extent of his modifications.
There will be some freshness, even if there might not be any significant changes. Fresh has to be wonderful, especially after this awful season.
Digging deeper
Regarding the off-season plans, a few Raptors have made brief remarks about Rajakovic’s increasing level of specificity regarding their work in the off-season.
The coach has discussed carefully thought-out phases of player development—one step at a time—during the entire season.
Rajakovic brought up moving Gradey Dick above the break on the perimeter and out of the corners last week. Injury concerns were a factor, but the rookie’s readiness to take on the job was the main reason.
Even with Wednesday’s crushing defeat at the hands of Sacramento, he managed to focus on a certain area that could potentially be useful in the future.
He stated, “I thought it was good that we could do something special in pick-and-rolls with Kelly (Olynyk) to get him in some hedges and shows tonight.”
That’s what’s currently being developed in order to grow throughout the off-season.
The coach remarked, “There is a very specific plan for each player.” “The vision outlines their next course of action and complements it.
“We’ve already started working on it. I have been assembling a substantial amount of content for every gamer.
Act morally
The fact that players are so completely engrossed in a particular game or play is a benefit because it keeps them from going insane with annoyance, rage, or, god forbid, acceptance of the mounting losses.
Of course, they know the outcome. However, when asked how many losses in a row they were unaware of, a few players were speaking to me after the game on Wednesday. Their attention is genuinely on the procedure.
They can only stay somewhat sane and give themselves an opportunity to recover by doing this. And that’s the secret, according to wise veteran Garrett Temple.
As former Raptors coach Dwane Casey once said, “They can’t tell on themselves” because everyone on the team remembers.
Temple stated, “In today’s game or tomorrow’s game, it’s not about yourself or your own stats… specifically for certain players.” “What will influence the future is the culture and style of play.”
Those that truly matter will see it if they don’t.
“Coaches are certain to know, players are aware, and teammates observe it. There’s a feeling that he’s doing everything correctly.
It’s important to concentrate on your function and your strengths and to give it your all. That is what matters.
