Raptors backup point guard Cory Joseph, or “Cory Joe” as he is affectionately referred to as by Drake, has seen his minutes and role with the Raptors decrease lately.
To try and mix things up Head Coach Dwayne Casey has been allowing former Witchita St. star Fred Van Fleet to earn some more playing time at the back up point guard position because of his better defensive abilities than Joseph.
So you would assume that the veteran who had a big role on the 56 win Raptors team of a season ago would be frustrated or complain about his role reduction? Not the case for Joseph, because as he said that would be “un-Canadian-like”.
Here is a quote from Joseph on the situation to the Toronto Sun:
“From my understanding, he wanted to give Fred a shot and you know, give Fred praise. He went in there, played his ass off, and we continued to go with him. He had a hell of a game, you know what I mean? I don’t know why people want me to be like a hater or something, or (sulk). That’s not me. I’m not a hater, nor do I sulk, that’s un-Canadian-like. I don’t do that.”
That is the sort of attitude that is refreshing these days as many players grow up in the AAU me-first culture of high-level youth basketball and would prefer to complain and request trades than work through situations and earn more opportunities with their play and unselfishness.
The Raptors and Joseph will both find a way to work out of the current funk they are in that has seen them drop from the two seed to the four seed in the eastern conference.
