Many questioned the Raptors for not standing up and supporting Shead after Murray taunted him in a recent viral play.
Darko Rajakovic has admitted that the Toronto Raptors failed to stand up for Jamal Shead after the recent infamous incident with Dejounte Murray.
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Talking to the media ahead of the team's Friday home game against the Phoenix Suns, the Raptors coach finally broke his silence about the viral and controversial event for Toronto.
“After watching the film, I thought we did not handle the situation the way we wanted or supposed to," Rajakovic confessed, via Raptors reporter Omer Osman.
“Our players had conversations with each other. They know that was not the true image of our team. They all agreed, and they know it’s not going to happen again.”
Murray notably dropped Shead after a series of ball-handling moves, draining a three-pointer to put the finishing touches on the Pelicans' 122-111 home win last Wednesday.
After the play, the star guard stared down and yelled at Shead. Referees whistled and assessed the amped-up Murray with a technical foul for taunting.
Many have raised eyebrows about the Raptors' lack of response to what Murray did to Shead. It was only Immanuel Quickley who attempted to confront Murray.
As a result, the Toronto fanbase was simply disappointed in what has been the failure of the team to support the guard, criticizing the Raptors in what might be a clear representation of the group's lack of culture.
As such, the Serbian coach made it clear that this moment, which saw Shead being left alone by the Raptors, will not happen again.
“There is a way on how you need to stand up for each other, and protect each other," Rajakovic said. "This team that we have is all about that, all about connectivity, and it needs to be addressed the right way.”
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