Head Coach Darko Rajakovic on NBA Playoff Atmosphere: “That shouldn’t phase us at all”

The Toronto Raptors are entering the first round of the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 2021-2022 season, and for the first time under head coach Darko Rajakovic.

However, the playoff atmosphere, which is notoriously vibrant in Toronto, doesn’t bother Rajakovic, as he says the NBA’s playoff atmosphere pales in comparison to his experience in Serbia and shouldn’t mess with the team’s focus during the game.

“We’re not playing in Europe where they’ll be throwing bottles at us or pointing lasers in our eyes when we’re shooting free throws,” Rajakovic said during practice on Thursday. “We’re not going to be dealing with those kinds of obstacles. They’re gonna be loud on the other side, so what? That shouldn’t phase us at all, we need to go out there and play to our standard, and enjoy the moment.”

To add some context, Rajakovic started his coaching career in his native Serbia, coaching youth teams, before eventually moving to Spain to join their fourth tier of professional basketball as a head coach. Eventually, he made the jump to North America, joining the G League’s Tulsa 66ers as Head Coach, before embarking on a career as an assistant coach for three NBA franchises.

The good news is the team seems to share their head coach’s mindset about the playoffs- yesterday, Brandon Ingram was asked about handling the different defenses that will come his way in the playoffs, remarking that, “I’m at the point in my career where I’ve seen both.”

For a young Raptors team entering the postseason, not being phased by the atmosphere and instilling that confidence within the team is a great asset. Game one of the first round matchup between the Raps and the Cleveland Cavaliers is set to tip off this Saturday at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

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