Darko Rajakovic and Steve Kerr commemorated the late Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, revealing a tradition shared by both coaching staffs.
On Jan. 24, 2024, it had been one week since the passing of the Golden State Warriors' Serbian assistant coach Dejan Milojevic at only 46 years old from a heart attack.
While he wasn't physically present anymore, his coach's spirit remained very much present on NBA courts.
As if he had thrown some of his innovative basketball ideas down the hardwood from heaven, the Toronto Raptors ran an ATO against the Miami Heat courtesy of the Serbian coach's playbook.
Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic, Milojevic's compatriot and close friend, decided to open the game with a play that ended with Gary Trent Jr. splashing a three to the delight of Darko.
That act of remembrance was meant to have such a happy ending.
Rajakovic keeps honoring Milojevic with small, personal gestures
Almost two years after Milojevic's passing, Rajakovic continues to pay homage to his beloved friend through subtle and elegant reminders.
The Raptors coach showed up to the pregame press conference for the game against the Warriors in a black t-shirt featuring the word "brate" in white letters, meaning "brother" in Serbian.
The black colour that represents grief, alongside the word about what Milojevic meant and still means to Darko.
The T-shirt included a "DM" patch, the logo that the Warriors started wearing that season in honour of the Balkan coach, whose son now works in Golden State in video coordinator and player development roles.
Why this tribute happens every time Toronto plays Golden State
The entire Warriors coaching staff wore the mentioned T-shirt. It has become a nice habit in games where both teams face off, as Rajakovic explained.
"Every time we play against Golden State, it's a good reminder for all of us to remember our dear friend and colleague, Dejan Milojevic, who was an assistant coach with Golden State, who unfortunately passed away two years ago," Rajakovic said prior to the game. "He's been really missed. And every time we play against Golden State, we now have our tradition."
Credit AP-Scanpix
Rakija after the game: a Serbian toast to "Deki"
But there was also going to be a celebration shared by both coaching staffs, something like the well-known third half in rugby, but applied to basketball.
"After the game, I bring some rakia, and we go after the game with their coaching staff. Now our coaching staff, we get together, and, you know, we had, we get one rakia in his name. So he's really missed," said Rajakovic, who revealed there would be a special celebration with the traditional Serbian drink.
One of Rajakovic's assistant coaches, Ivo Simovic, is also Serbian.
Milojevic's son is part of the Warriors — and it matters to Rajakovic
The Raptors coach also touched on Milojevic's son's role in Golden State.
"That's amazing. They're giving him the opportunity to be part of the organization and help their family. That speaks a lot of Steve Kerr and the organization," Rajakovic said. However, Nikola Milojevic couldn't travel to Toronto.
Kerr also talked about this tradition.
"We're a very small fraternity in the NBA, and so all coaches know each other, and there are different things that bond us all," the Warriors coach said.
"Every year now, both games, we do a shot of rakija, which is Serbian brandy, after the game to toast Deki," said Kerr, who referred to Milojevic by mentioning his nickname.
The score mattered, but the tribute mattered more
The rakia would taste better for Rajakovic and his coaching staff after the Raptors won, with Scottie Barnes recording a spectacular triple-double of 23 points, 25 rebounds, and 10 assists, overshadowing Stephen Curry's 39-point performance.
Shots and toasts in honour of Dejan Milojevic. The Raptors and the Warriors sent a touching DM to heaven.
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