December 8, 2024

Raptors Head Coach Darko Rajakovic Incentivizes Team With An All-Expenses-Paid Dinner If They Can Win Three Games In A Row

The Toronto Raptors are sitting with a 9-11 record and 11th in the Eastern Conference through their first 20 games. Although they haven’t necessarily been bad, they have been looking to shift to the next gear and improve their play.

To incentivize better play, head coach Darko Rajakovic is using a very interesting approach. He is offering a full-blown all-expenses-paid dinner if the team can string three wins together.

“When I announced that Pascal [Siakam] said, ‘Yeah, the team is going to pay for that,’ he thinks I’m cheap. And that’s not true, so once we get three wins in a row I’m taking staff and players to dinner and it’s going to be out of my pocket.”

Darko Rajakovic told Sportsnet after practice on Monday

Who is Darko Rajakovic? Raptors' new head coach has extensive basketball  background | Sporting News

The Raptors have yet to go on a three-game-win streak this season. However, the team has talent spread across their roster. This incentive to string some wins together could be exactly what the roster needs.

Not only is the statement by Rajakovic fun, but it will make for a potentially fun story as the season continues to unfold. Although rumors have circulated about potential trades being made, the way the roster is currently constructed incentivizes the team to win.

“There are things that we’ve made strides, and they’re now things for us to focus [on]: three or four things offensively and defensively where we would like to make strides as well.”

Darko Rajakovic

The Raptors are currently a bit of a wildcard in the NBA. The team can either shift into buyers or sellers depending on how their team is performing closer to the NBA Trade Deadline. One thing is for certain though, the team will have another reason to string some wins together.

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