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‘You can write 10 books about him’: Raptors’ Rajakovic on Popovich’s impact
There are few greater NBA coaching trees to be a part of than Gregg Popovich’s. While Darko Rajakovic isn’t a member of this extensive and lauded group in the traditional sense, the Toronto Raptors head coach got his NBA start as a scouting consultant and Summer League assistant for the San Antonio Spurs from 2004-2011.
There are few greater NBA coaching trees to be a part of than Gregg Popovich’s.
While Darko Rajaković isn’t a member of this extensive and lauded group in the traditional sense, the Toronto Raptors head coach got his NBA start as a scouting consultant and Summer League assistant for the San Antonio Spurs from 2004-2011.
Evidently, Popovich had a significant impact on the Serbian bench boss during the time he served within the all-time great’s system.
“Coach Pop, I mean, you can write not the book, you can write 10 books about him,” said Rajaković before the Raptors’ game against the Spurs on Sunday. “To be honest with you, the majority of that is not going to be about X’s and O’s and basketball, it’s going to be the way he affected people. How he touched people, how he changed trajectories of the people and their careers.”
Popovich, 76, will not return to coaching this season while he focuses on recovering from a mild stroke he suffered Nov. 2 at the team’s facility. Yet his impact remains widespread throughout the league.
Current head coaches Steve Kerr (Golden State), Mike Budenholzer (Phoenix), Ime Udoka (Houston), Doc Rivers (Milwaukee), Taylor Jenkins (Memphis), Will Hardy (Utah) and Rajaković have all worked under Popovich’s tutelage.
The five-time champion’s tree also includes general managers Sam Presti (Oklahoma City), and Sean Marks (Brooklyn), and two-time WNBA Champion coach Becky Hammon (Las Vegas).
“He’s definitely unique man,” said Rajaković. “I’m extremely blessed to have (had) the opportunity to work with him and to observe the way he was coaching his teams at the peak.”
Popovich’s influence on Rajaković can also be seen stylistically. The longtime San Antonio coach guided the “beautiful game Spurs” to prominence through the mid-2010s — a team that was known for its ability to create open shots through exceptional ball movement.
Fast forward to the present day and the Raptors play a fast-moving brand of basketball that is reminiscent of those great Spurs teams. Toronto’s “point-five” offence emphasizes quick decisions, movement and passing, and ranks in the top 10 in both assists and passes per game.
“Wish him all the best, wish him a quick recovery. We all hope to see him back on basketball courts very soon.” said Rajaković. “Basketball misses him. I miss him a lot.”
