New Raptors coach Darko Rajakovic outlines leadership style, coaching philosophy

New Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic was introduced to the media in a press conference in front of Scotiabank Arena on Tuesday.

"This is an amazing, amazing privilege to represent the Toronto Raptors, a championship organization," Rajakovic said in his opening remarks. "It's an amazing privilege to be part of such an amazing roster; it's definitely a very exciting moment. We the North!"

Raptors president Masai Ujiri was also on stage with his new head coach, offering some insight into the coaching search after the team parted ways with Nick Nurse in late April.

"We had many incredible candidates and we wanted to go through the process here," Ujiri said. "At the stage where our team is, and depending on where we want to be, we're excited to have his knowledge and experience. The process was long and tough but we know we came away with the right candidate here.”

Despite it being his first official day on the job, Rajakovic already feels comfortable in his new surroundings and embraces his position as the only European head coach in the NBA, in the league's only market outside of the United States.

"It's a privilege to be part of an organization with such an international influence and a lot of diversity that we have inside the city and inside the organization," Rajakovic said. "I could not dream of being in a better situation and a better city to lead a team."

Ujiri joked that it's a "good time for the Serbs right now" and that he would to like to be called "Masai Ujirianovic," in light of Nikola Jokic leading the Denver Nuggets to the NBA Championship, Novak Djokovic winning the French Open and Rajakovic landing a head coaching job with the Raptors.

Rajakovic also shared his coaching philosophy and his approach to leading a team.

"Since the day I started coaching, for me, the biggest thing that I enjoyed is seeing players get better, players improve," Rajakovic said. "We want to win every single night, but seeing the team grow, people grow, is something that was my biggest award."

Rajakovic also emphasized the importance of bonding with his players and getting comfortable with them on a personal level.

"I want to be very invested in them, as human beings. I want those guys to know that I really care about them and want to connect with them on a personal level," he said. "I have a strong belief we'll come together as a group and take it to another level."

Before ending the presser, Ujiri took the opportunity to get Raptors fans excited about the new era ahead.

"I'm calling on all the fans, on everybody. This is a time to follow, this is a time to support, this is a time to win," he exclaimed passionately. "Let’s go and win. Let’s go and do it again. We’ve done it here before and we’re going to do it again."