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.
.@CanBball 🇨🇦 takes the 85-77 win over @basquetebrasil 🇧🇷 in the first day of the #FIBAWC Americas Qualifiers' second round! #ThisIsMyHouse
— FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 🏆 (@FIBAWC) September 14, 2018
Here're the best plays of the game! pic.twitter.com/JSBeTV9FH8
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.
For now, let’s just enjoy watching Joseph play basketball as Canada suits up again on Monday to face Chile at 7 p.m.