Player Preview: Cory Joseph

Cory Joseph is entering his seventh year as a pro and his first year with the Indiana Pacers.

As mentioned frequently on Pacers Media Day, Cory Joseph has played behind two star point guards during his time with the San Antonio Spurs and Toronto Raptors. Now in Indiana, Joseph has the chance to take off as the Pacers’ point guard of the future, even if he comes off the bench to start the season.

Darren Collison is likely going to open the year as Indiana’s starting point guard. He’s been solid throughout his whole career, and deserves it. However, don’t be surprised if the pesky Joseph plays his way into that starting role, especially if the Pacers lose a lot of games.

Over the last few years, Joseph has earned the reputation of being one of, if not the best backup point guard in the league. He’s right up there with a guy like Patty Mills. Over the last two seasons with the Raptors, Joseph averaged 8.9 points and 3.2 assists per game. When Kyle Lowry got injured last season, Joseph filled in admirably for him, averaging 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 5.0 assists per game.

Pulling stats predictions from thin air

What’s his role?

Backup point guard, with the potential to become the starting point guard eventually.

Do I hear double-digit scoring?

I predict Joseph will be around his scoring average from last season, which was 9.3 per game. Maybe he can get it up to slightly above double-figures.

Heating up from long range

If Joseph has improved his three-point shooting like he said he has, I expect him to shoot over 35 percent from deep this season. Last year, he shot 35.6 percent on the long-ball. The year prior, he was just a 27.3 percent shooter from three-point land.

Player’s Season Summed up in One Bojack GIF

If you follow the Indiana Pacers, you need a sense of humor. Laugh so you don’t cry. And what’s funnier than Bojack Horseman? Nothing. Nothing is the answer.

Cory Joseph should win over Pacers fans and become a fan-favorite for his effort.

Sweatin’ Bullets

Sweatin’ Bullets is an 8p9s tradition started by Jonny Auping in which we offer standalone facts, observations, and commentary, often devoid of context or fairness.

• Cory Joseph will probably opt out of his contract with the Pacers next summer because he’s better than what he’s paid. With the way Kevin Pritchard gushes about him, I’d be surprised if he isn’t in Indiana long-term, assuming he has a big year for the Pacers.
• You might remember Joseph throwing the ball at Lance Stephenson during a game last season after Stephenson scored a controversial layup with the game out of reach. Now, they’re teammates that are building solid chemistry in the second unit.
• At least now Joseph won’t have to worry about picking up the slack Kyle Lowry leaves in the Playoffs.

One Key Question

More from Pacers News

• 2 Studs, 1 dud from gut-wrenching Indiana Pacers loss to Charlotte Hornets
• Handing out early-season grades for Pacers’ Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin
• 3 positives, 2 negatives in Pacers In-Season Tournament win vs. Cavaliers
• 2 positives, 3 negatives from first week of Indiana Pacers basketball
• Should Isaiah Jackson’s days with Indiana Pacers be numbered?

Question? Will Cory Joseph become Indiana’s starting point guard at some point during the season?

The Situation: As noted earlier, Darren Collison is Cory Joseph’s competition for the starting job. Collison is solid, but he’s not a Tony Parker or Kyle Lowry, two guys Joseph has backed up throughout his career. This is definitely the best opportunity for Joseph to become a starting point guard, he just has to impress.

Best-case Scenario: Joseph earns the starting point guard position at one point, and extends his stay with the Pacers by re-signing with them in 2018.

Worst-case Scenario: Joseph doesn’t become a starter in 2017-2018, but still re-signs with the Pacers during the summer. Like I said, I don’t see the Pacers letting Joseph go very easily. They like him. A lot.

Prediction: I think Darren Collison will keep his starting position for most of, if not all of the 2017-2018 season. That’s fine, though. Joseph can still give Indiana minutes in the mid-twenties off the bench, playing both guard positions when needed to. I predict Joseph will have a very similar year to what he did last season with the Raptors. 2018-2019 will be a completely different story, since Collison’s contract will be non-guaranteed.

Next: Will Bogdanovic or Collison get dealt this year?

All-in-all, Joseph should have a solid first year for the Indiana Pacers. Considering how many roster movement the Pacers have had over the years, and considering the potential of Joseph staying long-term, he’s definitely a guy to watch.