No other coach, much less a rookie NBA head coach, will be able to draw players to them the way Gregg Popovich and Phil Jackson did.

The new head coach of the Toronto Raptors, Darko Rajaković, was described by guard Dennis Schröder as “the first reason why I came (to Toronto).”

Permission to harbor skepticism about something is obviously granted. Schröder will get the full mid-level exception, potentially up to $25 million over the course of the following two years, for his 11th and 12th NBA seasons, one year after earning the veteran’s minimum in his tenth NBA season. Since Fred VanVleet departed in free agency, the Raptors gave him that deal, which includes the financial benefit of the best potential to play a significant amount of minutes as a starter or top reserve. Undoubtedly, all of these played a significant role in Schröder’s choice.

Nevertheless, Schröder benefited from Rajaković’s presence, which is as positive an indication as any considering how little is known about a first-time head coach. This is especially true since Rajaković will need to be the one to start the shift if the Raptors are to drastically vary from the squad we have watched struggle through offensive setups over the last two years.

If Masai Ujiri described the Raptors’ performance as “selfish” last year, it was, at least in part, intentional. The Raptors played systematic ball movement and looked for mismatches in the halfcourt, especially before Jacob Poeltl arrived in Toronto in February. That type of play may be effective if you are skilled enough at taking advantage of such mismatches and have skilled shooters surrounding the ball. Not for the Raptors, that is.

The Raptors’ roster for this season is much the same as it was for last year, as has been said often. The most significant trade was Schröder for VanVleet and the coaching shift from Nick Nurse to Rajaković. Nurse attempted to give everyone the ability to handle the ball, but mostly in transition rather than in the half court, where the Raptors withered. It’s not as though he was advocating that the point guard have possession of the ball at all times. All he was doing was doing what he felt was best for a team lacking speed on the ball.

Quickness is still lacking on the roster. Although Schröder is quicker than VanVleet, he won’t change the team’s strategy on the half court. However, Rajaković is discussing implementing significant adjustments.

Regarding offensive duties on the perimeter, Rajaković stated that positions one through four are interchangeable. Therefore, we won’t be calling plays for specific players.

Then there was this.

“How will you characterize being self-centered? It’s getting bad shots. The ball is being over-dribbled. “We intend to attempt the exact opposite of it,” Rajaković declared during Toronto’s media day. “We intend to increase our ball movement efforts. Our goal is to introduce a point-five offense, which will force players to make quicker decisions each time they grab the ball.

The phrase “point-five” describes the decision you make in the first thirty seconds of possession of the ball: to shoot, pass, or dribble. While Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes, and O.G. Anunoby are not averse to passing, they are accustomed to taking their time to consider the information that is presented to them. So here’s a query that “The Sopranos” aficionados would want to hear: Can people change?

After the Raptors’ first full session of training camp on Tuesday, Rajaković remarked, “If there is a willingness to change, anybody can adapt.”

For Ujiri’s patience to be rewarded, that belief must be validated—at least within the framework of this particular basketball squad. Ujiri will enter the trade deadline with less clout than ever with three pending free agents if the Raptors play a significant portion of the season and this squad still appears to be lacking too many components, supposing neither Siakam nor Gary Trent Jr. sign a contract. If it works, Ujiri will have something more concrete to deal with, if nothing else. At least a stronger hand.

Rajaković also stated that Poeltl would be used more as a passing hub out of the high post rather than a pick-and-roll screener, so he will need plenty of support from his key players if he wants the offense to come together. Thankfully, one thing that is known about Rajaković is that he is a master at interacting with contemporary players.

Schröder remarked, “I adore Coach because he holds everyone in the locker room accountable.” “In Oklahoma City, where Rajaković worked as an assistant, we had Paul George and Russell Westbrook, and he made sure that everyone was held accountable.” It’s not about eliminating them. It is to encourage them.

Trent continued on Monday, saying, “He’s been really responsive in the weeks that we’ve been together.” “Whether discussing basketball, his children, his coaching career, how he got here, or his narrative, communication has been excellent. I informed him. In my six years in the NBA, I’ve talked to him more about everything than I have with any coach in my history. It feels revitalizing. It’s been fantastic.

Although it’s only a training camp and people won’t be criticizing the new coach right away, hearing those remarks is promising considering the challenges Rajaković must overcome. On Monday, Rajaković expressly highlighted that Siakam needs to play with greater aggression when he collects the ball when questioned about adjusting to the new style. In response to a question on Tuesday on Anunoby—who has long been suspected of wanting a larger role than he has ever had in Toronto—Rajaković discussed using him more as a cutter and ballhandler while still stressing the value of his shooting to the club. Anunoby should begin moving from the corners to above the break, according to Rajaković. Throughout his career, Anunoby has shot 41.4 percent on corner threes but only 34.5 percent on other shots.

All players will have personal ambitions in a world where contracts are becoming shorter and shorter. The secret is to let them go after those in a way that is beneficial to the group as a whole. The coaching change was largely motivated by something that nobody believes happened the previous year.

Making the team’s key players feel that they can succeed here is just as crucial to Rajaković as the stylistic adjustments. It’s his first opportunity as head coach, and he steps into a challenging role.

“I knew what he was about, so it was a simple decision for me to come here,” Schröder stated.

Rajaković’s approach and demeanor on the court will need to strike a chord with his new teammates, just as they did with Schröder during his free agency. It must also happen expeditiously.