Raptors’ Cory Joseph will not complain about demotion because it would be “un-Canadian-like”

Cory Joseph is a Canadian who is proud to be playing for the Toronto Raptors. As a solid backup point guard behind Kyle Lowry, he was an essential part of the franchise’s record success last season.

But the Raptors are 3-8 of late and struggling, leaving coach Dwane Casey searching for answers. One of the things he’s tried, reducing Joseph’s role so that rookie Fred VanVleet could get more run — mostly because the rookie was bringing more on defense (Joseph’s offensive numbers are similar to a season ago).

Some vets stew, sulk and are a pain when they see their minutes cut. Joseph didn’t and had a great line to Ryan Wolstat of 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.”

What Joseph did was get in the gym, get up a sweat, and work on his game. Not to go all old-guy here, but if you’re a young player coming up in the game take that advice — coaches make their decisions, but if you put in the work and get better, they will notice. You’ll get your chance.

Casey and the Raptors need to figure out something quick, they’ve fallen to the four seed in the East and the Pacers are hot and right behind them — Toronto doesn’t want to fall out of home court in the first round.

If you want a deeper dive on the Raptors, check out my podcast with Wolstat talking Raptors from a couple of weeks ago.