If you were to create a list of the most memorable basketball seasons in NBA history, the 2023-24 Toronto Raptors would be pretty far down the list.
The team is now 1-9 in March, with an eight-game losing streak. With a 23-46 record, they are 7.5 games out of the final play-in spot in the Eastern Conference and on pace for their fewest wins in an 82-game season since 2005-06.
The franchise’s commitment to a rebuild didn’t really come as a shock to anyone who follows the team closely, much less to head coach Darko Rajakovic – who was brought in with the possibility in mind. to pivot towards the future when he was hired last summer.
But after a 123-89 loss Wednesday night to the Sacramento Kings, Rajakovic was asked about the team’s effort levels, and he suggested the team still has quite a bit of room to improve in that area. .
“The effort is up and down like any other team,” Rajakovic responded. “There were definitely times when the effort wasn’t enough. Especially when you commit turnovers and don’t come back on defense. Very disappointing. We try to move the ball and mistakes happen, but we still have to get back on defense, cover each other and play hard.
The Raptors committed 21 turnovers on the night, while giving up 36 fast break points to the Kings. Over the last 15 games, Toronto’s defensive rating has dropped to 116.8, ranking 27th in the league over that span.
With a day off on Thursday, the Raptors return to the court at Scotiabank Arena on Friday night against Shai Gligeous-Alexander and the Oklahoma City Thunder. This is an earlier announcement than usual for most Raptors home games, starting at 7 p.m. ET.
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