Pacers Season Reviews: Cory Joseph’s season defined by his defense

The ups and downs of Cory Joseph’s season

There aren’t any fantastic highlights or stunning moments to show with Cory Joseph. After all, he is a backup point guard who only started nine games. So let’s get right into his performance.

The poorest aspect of Joseph’s game in his offense and it is something fans scrutinized throughout the season. Strangely, Cory Joseph started off the season on an unsustainable high. On the season, Joseph shot 32.2 from three, close to his career average of 32.7 percent.

However, Joseph scorched the earth from beyond the arc in October and November, connecting on 46.4 percent of his 2.2 threes per game. His percentages dropped like an anvil in water after November, shooting a frigid 27.1 percent from range. His true shooting percent also dropped from 55.1 to 44.4, closer to his true effectiveness as a scorer.

Scoring the basketball, Joseph was completely inept for the majority of the season. We already discussed his iciness from deep range and his efficiency inside the arc wasn’t too much better, shooting 45.4 percent from two-point range.

Over 30 percent of Joseph’s possessions resulted in him shooting the ball as a pick and roll ballhandler. Those didn’t typically go well, as his 0.71 points per possession as a pick and roll ballhandler rank in the 25th percentile. As all Pacers fans know and lament, Joseph has a painstaking habit of dribbling into oblivion before barfing up a floater or fadeaway that inevitable bricks.

The 8p9s staff had an imaginary drinking game where we take an imaginary shot every time Joseph misses a floater.

NBA.com has Joseph at 16-40 on “floating jump shots,” but there’s no way his percentage is even close to decent. The 8p9s staff had an imaginary drinking game where we take an imaginary shot every time Joseph misses a floater.

Needless to say, there wouldn’t be an 8p9s staff left if this were a real game. His awful touch combined with fierce overzealousness led to some head-scratching moments, with Joseph shooting all manner of teardrops and Dirk-legs, inevitably falling short:

Though his scoring left a ton to be desired, Joseph added offensive value with his passing and decision making. His 3.9/1.0 assist/turnover ratio is one of the best in the NBA. When Joseph isn’t shooting on his drives, he has a good feel for locating weak side shooters and hitting big men in the dunker spot:

There isn’t too much to speak on Cory Joseph the offensive player. Lots of misses and some good decision making. Joseph isn’t getting paid for his offensive prowess, though. As one of the best defensive guards in the NBA, Joseph’s on-ball dominance and help side defense have helped Indy’s unit become one of the best in the NBA. Indiana’s defensive rating rises from 102.4 to 106.6. No other Pacer (who played consistent games and minutes) had a bigger effect on their defensive rating.  And now, onto Joseph’s season-defining statistic…