Rajakovic contemplates his journey to the coaching position with the Raptors during the coaches’ open house.

Amidst the sounds of sneakers squeaking and basketballs bouncing, Darko Rajakovic, head coach of the Toronto Raptors, stood at center court, hands on hips, with a whistle in his mouth.

On Tuesday morning, Rajakovic and the Raptors hosted an open house for coaches at Scotiabank Arena, aimed at youth and amateur coaches looking to learn before observing a full team practice. This event, the first under Rajakovic’s leadership, echoed his own past as a coach eager to absorb knowledge.

“Back in the day, I was one of those coaches,” Rajakovic reflected. “I was sitting in the stands, attending clinics, and trying to soak up any insights I could. It’s a journey I’ve been through, so I can appreciate the dedication of those showing up on a Tuesday morning, ready to learn.”

The Raptors are currently struggling, having lost seven consecutive games and sitting at 12th in the Eastern Conference with a 23-45 record. Their chances of making the play-in spot seem slim, given they trail the Atlanta Hawks by seven games with only 14 left in the season, half of which are against playoff-positioned teams.

The morning’s open house featured various modules before the Raptors’ practice, focusing on fundamental drills, a cornerstone of Rajakovic’s coaching philosophy, especially with his young team.

Among the sidelined players observing the practice were injured stars Scottie Barnes, Jakob Poeltl, and Chris Boucher, each contributing in their own ways despite their inability to participate directly. The only absence from the practice was R.J. Barrett, who is on leave following his brother’s passing.

Barnes, out indefinitely with a fractured finger, still maintains a leadership role within the team, providing guidance and encouragement. Poeltl and Boucher, both sidelined with injuries, are unlikely to return for the remainder of the season.

The Raptors’ roster has undergone significant changes this season, with notable trades involving key players like O.G. Anunoby and Pascal Siakam. One of the new additions, Ochai Agbaji, acquired at the trade deadline, appreciates Rajakovic’s attention to detail in practice.

With the open house event, players like Gradey Dick and Agbaji see an opportunity to showcase the team’s development to amateur coaches, offering insights into their professional-level training.

For Rajakovic, the open house provides reassurance that his coaching methods are on the right track, offering confirmation rather than necessarily introducing new lessons.