Nikola Jokic is nothing but happy about Darko Rajakovic nailing the head coaching position of the Toronto Raptors.
In his Sunday presser ahead of the Finals’ Game 5, Jokic got all praise for Rajakovic as believes that his fellow countryman is truly deserving to capture the Raptors’ coaching gig.
“I think I love it. He’s a great guy and I really appreciate him and he is here for a long, long time – 10 years from the G League to the head coach in NBA,” he said about Rajakovic. “It’s a lot of respects for him and for his work, and I think he deserve it. We’ve been seeing a lot. He’s been through a lot and I think he deserves (it). He’s gonna do a great, great job there (in Toronto).”
Besides the fact that they do share Serbian blood, both Jokic and Rajakovic got significant ties in the nation’s basketball program. Rajakovic served as an assistant for the Serbians in the 2019 FIBA World Cup, a tilt that the superstar big man participated in.
Rajakovic, 39, inherited the keys of the Raptors’ top coaching mantle from Nick Nurse as the franchise led by team president Masai Ujiri executed a wide hunt for nearly two months. This makes him the second European-born head coach in NBA history following fellow Serb Igor Kokoskov who took over for the Phoenix Suns in 2018-19.
The month of June this year has been highly significant for Serbians in the sports landscape. In addition to Rajakovic’s NBA coaching hiring, tennis superstar Novak Djokovic captured a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title with a third French Open victory last Saturday. The country can once again cast a nationwide celebration should Jokic and the Denver Nuggets win the NBA championship on Monday as the club is holding a 3-1 series margin over the Miami Heat in the NBA Finals.
