{"id":196678,"date":"2025-12-29T18:02:00","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T16:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/?p=196678"},"modified":"2025-12-29T18:02:02","modified_gmt":"2025-12-29T16:02:02","slug":"they-drink-rakija-for-deki-rajakovic-and-steve-kerr-reveal-their-small-ritual-in-honor-of-milojevic-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/they-drink-rakija-for-deki-rajakovic-and-steve-kerr-reveal-their-small-ritual-in-honor-of-milojevic-video\/","title":{"rendered":"THEY DRINK RAKIJA FOR DEKI: Rajakovi\u0107 and Steve Kerr reveal their small ritual in honor of Milojevi\u0107! (VIDEO)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Darko Rajakovi\u0107 and Steve Kerr are paying tribute to the late Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevi\u0107, revealing a tradition shared by the coaching staffs of both teams.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Nearly two years have passed since the death of Serbian Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevi\u0107, who passed away from a heart attack at the age of 46. Although he is no longer physically present, his coaching spirit has remained strongly present on NBA courts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As if he had sent one of his innovative basketball ideas from above, the Toronto Raptors ran an after-timeout play (ATO) against the Miami Heat directly from the Serbian coach\u2019s notebook. Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovi\u0107, Milojevi\u0107\u2019s compatriot and close friend, decided to open the game with a play that ended with a three-pointer by Gary Trent Jr., much to Darko\u2019s delight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Some things are bigger than basketball. Raptors&#39; HC Darko Rajakovi\u0107, asked about the death of Dejan Milojevi\u0107, answers through tears:<br><br>&quot;I told my guys I loved them. And the opening play of the game was an ATO that (Dejan) brought to the NBA&#8230;&quot;<br><br>&quot;I dedicate this team win to him.&quot; <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/655e8PnjsA\">pic.twitter.com\/655e8PnjsA<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Hot Hand Theory (@HotHandTheory) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HotHandTheory\/status\/1747862248935059474?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">January 18, 2024<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">\u201cI dedicate this team victory to him\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Some things are bigger than basketball. Asked about the death of Dejan Milojevi\u0107, Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovi\u0107 responded through tears:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI told my guys that I love them. And the first play of the game was an ATO that Dejan brought to the NBA\u2026 I dedicate this team victory to him.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That act of remembrance was destined to have a happy ending. Nearly two years after Milojevi\u0107\u2019s death, Rajakovi\u0107 continues to honor his beloved friend through subtle and elegant reminders. The Raptors coach appeared at a pregame press conference against the Warriors wearing a black T-shirt with the white word \u201cbrate.\u201d The black color, symbolizing mourning, stood alongside the word that describes what Milojevi\u0107 meant and still means to Darko.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The shirt also featured a \u201cDM\u201d emblem, a logo the Warriors began wearing that season in honor of the Balkan coach, whose son now works in Golden State in video coordination and player development roles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The entire Warriors coaching staff wore the mentioned shirt. It has become a nice habit in games when the two teams meet, as Rajakovi\u0107 explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Every time we play against Golden State, it\u2019s a good reminder for all of us to remember our dear friend and colleague, Dejan Milojevi\u0107, who was an assistant coach with Golden State and who sadly passed away two years ago. We really miss him. And every time we play against Golden State, now we have our tradition &#8211; Rajakovi\u0107 said before the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But there is also a celebration shared by both coaching staffs, something like the famous third half in rugby, but applied to basketball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; After the game, I bring rakija, and after the game we gather with their coaching staff. Now our coaching staff and we get together and, you know, have a shot of rakija in his name. We really miss him &#8211; Rajakovi\u0107 said, revealing that a special celebration with the traditional Serbian drink would follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of Rajakovi\u0107\u2019s assistant coaches, Ivo Simovi\u0107, is also Serbian. The Raptors coach also reflected on the role of Milojevi\u0107\u2019s son in Golden State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; That\u2019s incredible. They\u2019re giving him an opportunity to be part of the organization and helping his family. That says a lot about Steve Kerr and the organization &#8211; Rajakovi\u0107 said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-media-max-width=\"560\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83c\udfc0\ud83e\udd42 Steve Kerr, about the Warriors and Raptors coaching staffs going for some Serbian drink Rakia shots after the game in memory of Dejan Milojevic <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fjQ90ADpY4\">pic.twitter.com\/fjQ90ADpY4<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Toni Canyameras (@Canyameridis71) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Canyameridis71\/status\/2005490729259606336?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">December 29, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Steve Kerr on Milojevi\u0107<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Nikola Milojevi\u0107 was unable to travel to Toronto. Kerr also spoke about this tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; We\u2019re a very small fraternity in the NBA, so all the coaches know each other, and there are different things that connect all of us. Now every year, in both games, we have a shot of rakija, which is Serbian brandy, after the game to toast Deki &#8211; Kerr said, addressing Milojevi\u0107 by his nickname.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The rakija tasted even better for Rajakovi\u0107 and his coaching staff after the Raptors won, led by a spectacular triple-double from Scottie Barnes with 23 points, 25 rebounds, and 10 assists, which overshadowed Steph\u2019s 39-point performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:#FFFFFF;color:#d21414\" class=\"has-inline-color\">MORE TOPICS:<\/mark><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/it-is-time-to-fulfill-the-promise-he-held-the-seriously-ill-milica-vucic-in-his-arms-12-years-ago-and-today-she-is-protesting-in-front-of-the-government\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">\u201cIT IS TIME TO FULFILL THE PROMISE\u201d: He held the seriously ill Milica Vu\u010di\u0107 in his arms 12 years ago, and today she is protesting in front of the Government!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/who-took-the-weapons-out-of-serbia-zastava-revolvers-with-ministry-of-interior-markings-are-being-sold-on-the-american-market\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">WHO TOOK THE WEAPONS OUT OF SERBIA?: Zastava revolvers with Ministry of Interior markings are being sold on the American market!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/nis-received-a-new-american-license-negotiations-on-the-russian-share-are-allowed-but-not-business-operations\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">NIS RECEIVED A NEW AMERICAN LICENSE: Negotiations on the Russian share are allowed, but not business operations!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/a-million-dollars-for-the-most-vulnerable-the-ana-and-vlade-divac-foundation-achieved-its-humane-goal-they-helped-more-than-10000-people\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE: The Ana and Vlade Divac Foundation achieved its humane goal, they helped more than 10,000 people!<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/hilarious-comedy-arrives-in-america-montenegrin-in-bed-is-my-life-story-that-is-why-the-play-is-so-funny-video\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"\">HILARIOUS COMEDY ARRIVES IN AMERICA!: \u201cMontenegrin in bed\u201d is my life story, that is why the play is so funny! (VIDEO)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><strong>Source<\/strong><\/strong>: Sportal, <strong>Foto:<\/strong> Printscreen X<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Darko Rajakovi\u0107 and Steve Kerr are paying tribute to the late Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevi\u0107, revealing a tradition shared by the coaching staffs of both teams. Nearly two years have passed since the death of Serbian Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevi\u0107, who passed away from a heart attack at the age of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2169,"featured_media":196679,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"newspack_featured_image_position":"","newspack_post_subtitle":"","newspack_article_summary_title":"Overview:","newspack_article_summary":"","newspack_hide_updated_date":false,"newspack_show_updated_date":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[1488,7212,9325,249,190,91,5962,15],"class_list":["post-196678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sport","tag-darko-rajakovic","tag-dejan-milojevic","tag-golden-stejt-voriors","tag-kosarka-2","tag-nba","tag-sport","tag-stiv-ker","tag-video","entry"],"aioseo_notices":[],"distributor_meta":false,"distributor_terms":false,"distributor_media":false,"distributor_original_site_name":"Serbiantimes.info EN","distributor_original_site_url":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en","push-errors":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/196678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2169"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=196678"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/196678\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":196719,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/196678\/revisions\/196719"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/196679"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=196678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=196678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/serbiantimes.info\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=196678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}