8 points, 9 seconds
Fansided

Cory Joseph lays down 16 points and 10 assists for Canada

By Ben Gibson

LAVAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 13: Canada point guard Cory Joseph (6) runs while dribbling the ball during the Brazil versus Canada FIBA Basketball WC Qualifier game on September 13, 2018, at Bell Place in Laval, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LAVAL, QC - SEPTEMBER 13: Canada point guard Cory Joseph (6) runs while dribbling the ball during the Brazil versus Canada FIBA Basketball WC Qualifier game on September 13, 2018, at Bell Place in Laval, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Cory Joseph put down a double-double in Canada’s win over Brazil in the second round of FIBA World Cup qualifying.

Cory Joseph looks ready for the upcoming season with the Indiana Pacers if his 16 point, 10 assist performance for Canada is any indication. His team won, 85-77.

Joseph takes a more traditional point guard role with Canada than he does with the Pacers, making it unsurprising that he could rack up a double-double performance while shooting 6 of 12 from the floor, 2 of 6 from deep, and a perfect 2 of 2 on free throws. He also had three rebounds, including one that led to a fast break for Canada.

Joseph played a role in Canada’s 25-20 advantage on assists — though Brazil’s Marcelinho
Huertas had a game-high 12 — not only thanks to his offense but his smothering defense as well.

https://twitter.com/FIBAWC/status/1040426450514407424

Kelly Olynyk led the way for Canada with 20 points and 19 rebounds.

For all the summer workouts, player-led practices, and putting in time in at the St. Vincent Center, nothing is quite the same as organized basketball, much less with something of value to the players on the line.

With Ben Moore and Bojan Bogdanovic suiting up for FIBA action as well, we can get a tiny glimpse of some of these Pacers before training camp begins. There’s little doubt they’re in shape for the upcoming season, but it is none the less reassuring when they look game-ready as October approaches.

More than just a game for Cory Joseph

For Joseph, however, these FIBA games might serve as an audition as well.

Joseph’s name came up in trade rumors with the Phoenix Suns. His defense and the expiring deal he currently is signed to makes him an ideal candidate for a team who has a point guard of the future but needs depth there right now.

Indiana likely is in no hurry to move on from him for the same reasons. Aaron Holiday hopes to be their point guard — or at least backup — of the future but is a rookie. And Holiday isn’t the defender that Joseph is either, so Indiana’s bench would take a small step back as the rookie develops.

Next. Why are you so eager to give up on Myles Turner?. dark

For now, let’s just enjoy watching Joseph play basketball as Canada suits up again on Monday to face Chile at 7 p.m.

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