The Rajakovic rant became one of, if not, the defining moment of a completely lost season, which happened to be his rookie year as head coach.
It came following a tough loss to the host L.A. Lakers on a night when the whistle was decidedly purple and gold in the decisive fourth quarter.
Following the bitter loss, Darko Rajakovic went on an epic harangue.
In essence, he ripped the officials and would invariably experience a lighter pocket book in the process.
To wit, he spoke of Scottie Barnes one day emerging as a face of the NBA.
Rajakovic took issue with the officiating because Barnes wasn’t given the star treatment in the loss, which is code for drawing fouls.
That was then and this is now as the Raptors find themselves playing their best ball in two years.
When they played host to the New Orleans Pelicans Monday night, the Raptors had won three straight games and five of their past six games, a stretch not seen since late in the 2022-23 season.
In the hours leading up to the opening tap, it was announced Barnes had been named Eastern Conference player of the week, becoming the 12th player in Raptors history to earn the accolade.
The week featured three wins, including a sweep of the host Atlanta Hawks during a mini two-game set.
A year ago, his third in the association, Barnes earned an all-star nod as an injury replacement.
On Thursday, the reserves for this year’s all-star game will be unveiled.
Don’t expect Barnes to hear his name, despite his recent surge that merits consideration, because he has missed time with two separate injuries and the Raptors aren’t good, despite their recent emergence.
“I do think he’s unique and I stand by my statement (that) he’s going to be the face of the league,” said Rajakovic during his pre-game availability Monday
Unique yes given Barnes’ size and skill.
As for the face of the NBA designation, it’s a bit of stretch.
For years, it was LeBron James earning the mantle followed by Steph Curry, two veterans who still carry sway in the league.
Fellow Serbian Nikola Jokic is the game’s best player, but Rajakovic would be hard-pressed to list the Joker as a league face.
This year’s leading candidate to earn MVP honors is Canada’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but he happens to play in a small market.
Unless the OKC Thunder can make a very deep playoff run, chances of SGA becoming the face of the NBA are slim.
Zion Williamson, who made a rare appearance in Toronto Monday, could have been the face, had the explosiveness to be the league’s face, but he’s never been able to stay healthy.
Fellow first-overall pick Victor Wembanyama is projected to be a generational player and his brief run in the league with the San Antonio Spurs reflects it.
Maybe there will be a time when the Raptors are competing for a top-four seed in the Eastern Conference and potentially making a deep playoff run when the league face discussion surrounding Barnes has its credentials.
For now, talk seems far too premature given Toronto’s standing.
Barnes did get matched up against Williamson, whose teammate at Duke was RJ Barrett, who was drafted third overall.
Around the rim, Williamson has this explosiveness that can’t be stopped.
Barnes does not have that elite athleticism.
What he does have involves versatility, especially on the defensive end.
“Scottie Barnes is playing at such a level defensively that I think definitely he needs to be considered to the all-defensive team,” added Rajakovic.
In his regard, Rajakovic does make a point.
Barnes has been at the centre of Toronto’s inspired play, showing a leadership quality and an ability to rebound, block and record steals.
Offensively, he hasn’t been as three-point happy, preferring to do his damage in the mid-post where he abuses smaller defenders or punishes defences when they send an extra man given his high-level passing.
He’s been setting the tone and instrumental in helping to build a culture.
The same could be said about Rajakovic, who has never hung his head in times of distress when games got so out of hand.
His communication is direct and his affection for his players is authentic.
When it comes to tireless workers, there’s no one who works harder than Rajakovic.
The memories of last season have faded with the roster being turned over.
No one is certain what moves will get engineered in the days leading up to the NBA’s trade deadline on Feb. 6.
Barnes will certainly not get moved, perhaps one of a handful of players who are viewed as untradeable.
But let’s face it.
The Raptors need to upgrade their talent and any move that fetches an upgrade over the current collection of players must be explored.
Barnes did his best to maintain his composure when times were really tough following some brutal losses, capped off by the most lopsided defeat in the 30-year history of the franchise on New Year’s Eve in Boston.
Rajakovic kept his team together and must be lauded.
“We did have two weeks of a rough patch and there are multiple reasons for that,’’ said Rajakovic. I’m not the one looking for excuses at any point of time.
“But what even happened in those moments? Our group stayed together and our group is really showing up every single day to work and try to help each other and to figure out how we can improve as a team and all guys individually.
“As a result of that, lately we’re seeing better performances. Of course, when you win, you have that positive feeling and new energy that tells you we’re on the right path.”
There’s nothing quite like winning that helps wash away the difficult days.
There’s nothing like winning to draw attention on a player.
Barnes is the face of the Raptors franchise who will face more scrutiny once the club becomes relevant.
Until then, any favourable attention is more than welcome.