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Draymond Green showers Toronto Raptors staff with praise

Adam Laskaris
Adam Laskaris
|
Mar 21 2025, 8:46 pm
Draymond Green showers Toronto Raptors staff with praise
John Hefti/Imagn Images

Draymond Green doesn’t appear too shy to show a little love toward the Toronto Raptors when it’s warranted.

And on Thursday night, Green was asked about Darko Rajakovic after the Raptors coach was seen smiling from ear-to-ear when the Warriors veteran hit his fourth three-pointer of the night in the first half, just one off of his season high of five in a game.

“He is one of the most intense coaches in the league… I got a lot of respect for Darko. Great basketball mind in this league. It’s always fun when you get to mix it up with coaches about their game plan,” Green said following Golden State’s 117-114 win over Toronto.

Green also noted Rajakovic’s close relationship with the late Dejan Milojević, a former Warriors assistant coach who suddenly passed away in January 2024 at a team dinner. Both natives of Serbia, Rajakovic has continued to often wear a shirt with Milojević’s “DM” initials and “Brate,” which means “brother” in Serbian.

When it comes to minutes played this season, the Raptors have the fourth-youngest average age in the league, per NBAAge.com. For a 35-year-old in his 13th NBA season, Green praised the youngster’s effort on the evening.

“He’s got those guys playing hard as hell. You just tip your cap to him,” he added. “I think he’s an incredible coach.”

Though Green has gone 17-2 in the regular season against the Raptors, he no doubt still has respect for just one of two franchises to beat him in six NBA Finals appearances with the Golden State Warriors.

With the suddenly surging Warriors now 9-1 in their last 10 games and sitting firmly in the sixth seed in the Western Conference, another deep run just might be in the cards for Green and Steph Curry.

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