"Before the Raptors' final preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets, treated much like a full dress rehearsal after making its cuts to trim the roster to regular-season size, Rajakovic told media that he actually liked the offensive process from his starters against the Boston Celtics. Though it looked clunky at times, Rajakovic said the expected points per possession from that group was 1.28, which if actually converted at that rate would have been the best offence (by far) of any team last season."
"And during its first shift together against Brooklyn, the starters perform up to that standard. The Blue Jays get zero runs with the bases loaded and zero outs. Pain. The next inning, George Springer hits an RBI double off the fence that is a few inches from a home run. Ties the game 1-1."
"The Raptors' full-court pressure is preposterous. Jamal Shead strips a ballhandler clean under Brooklyn's rim. Everyone is engaged. The half-court defence is another story, with Brooklyn hitting everything from deep as digs engage too deep in the paint and give up open catch-and-shoot jumpers. Eventually, this Achilles' Heel would catalyze a Brooklyn comeback. But for now, the steals make the Raptors look like the Harlem Globetrotters."
Darko Rajakovic embraces the city's baseball fervour and plans to show the Blue Jays on the jumbotron. Rajakovic valued the starters' offensive process versus Boston, citing an expected points per possession of 1.28. The starters matched that standard early against Brooklyn. Toronto's full-court pressure produced clean steals and high engagement, highlighted by Jamal Shead forcing turnovers. The half-court defence, however, repeatedly conceded open catch-and-shoot jumpers as help defended too deep, creating a vulnerability that enabled a Brooklyn comeback. Individual moments included Immanuel Quickley drawing an offensive foul, Shead drawing fouls, and Barnes attacking the rim with purpose.
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