Toronto Raptors: Cory Joseph A Different Kind Of Backup

It’s not only the fact that Cory Joseph is Canadian that makes his homecoming so exciting. It’s the fact that he’s not Greivis Vasquez.

Now don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate Vasquez as a backup point guard. He was a starting-caliber player who had a great year as the first PG option for the New Orleans Hornets back in 2012-13. He was never afraid to shoot the ball, and he was a capable ball handler who was never shy about being vocal.

ALSO ON HOOPSHABIT: NBA Power Rankings: Best 30 C of All-Time

But the two have very different playing styles and Joseph’s seems to fit the mold a little better. Like most of the guys coach Dwane Casey pines for, Joseph is a strong defender (which Vasquez was not) who prides himself on that end of the floor.

More from Hoops Habit

He also comes from San Antonio (where he’s played his four seasons in the league), so the Toronto Raptors know that they’re getting a player who understands how to play the proper way and put the team ahead of himself. He was a third-string guard there, but he never played like one.

In just 18.3 minutes of action a night last season, the Canadian posted 6.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game on 50.4 percent shooting from the field. He played in 79 games and started 14 of them; and that’s where his play truly shined.

In those 14 games, Joseph put up 13.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.2 assists over 34.6 minutes a game. He shot an even better 56.2 percent from the floor and 44.4 percent from deep (meaning one of Vasquez’s strengths is something Joseph can replicate).

The Raptors didn’t like the fact that they ended up 25th in the league in defensive rating last season. That’s not who they want to be and when they had their first playoff run a couple years ago, defense was what got them there.

So forfeit offense (speaking here of Vasquez) for defense. And Cory’s still improving. He’s only 23 years old with plenty of time left to grow, and through four years of NBA basketball he’s constantly getting better.

One of the more exciting things that Joseph will impact will be the pace the team plays at. Vasquez had size that proved useful when he decided to post up opposing guards, but he lumbered down the court as if he was always being pulled back by some invisible rope.

Joseph is speedier and more agile, and though he doesn’t have the same size, the Raptors will probably want to get out and run more often anyway because of their likelihood to play more small ball.

Toronto was 21st in pace (92.8) last season. But this year? With the likes of DeMar DeRozan, Terrence Ross, DeMarre Carroll, James Johnson and Norman Powell running the floor? It’s time to pick things up. This team won’t be rebounding very well, and needs all the fast breaks it can muster.

Fans might not think of Joseph as a huge impact guy right now, especially since he was just a third-stringer on his former club. But come October he’ll change the dynamic of this team, and it should be one for the better.

Next: Are The 2014-15 Golden State Warriors An All-Time Great Team?

More from Hoops Habit

Home/Toronto Raptors