The Toronto Raptors have lost two consecutive games after winning their first five but overall the team looks a lot better this year than it has in the past couple of seasons. A lot of that has to do with some of the things they did in the offseason like bringing in DeMarre Carroll and Cory Joseph. Joseph has been great for the Raptors so far and his role may continue to get bigger as the season goes on, according to Chris O'Leary of the Toronto Star.
Joseph is a 24 year old guard from Toronto who signed a four year $30 million deal with the Raptors this offseason to be their backup point guard behind Kyle Lowry. Joseph has been the backup point guard but he has also been much more as he is averaging more than 23 minutes per game and playing alongside Lowry a lot.
Joseph's offensive numbers this season, or for his career, don't jump out at you but he is good with the ball in his hands and he makes his money on the defensive side of the ball. Joseph is only 6 foot-3 but head coach Dwane Casey says he plays much bigger and he is constantly working on the defensive end to disrupt whoever he is guarding. So far this season Joseph is off to a tremendous start on defense according to the metrics and that has gotten him more playing time.
Casey talked this offseason about wanting to go small more often and having Joseph has given him the ability to do so. Casey can put Lowry and Joseph on the floor together while moving DeMar DeRozan and Carroll over to the forward spots which really helps space the floor on offense.
"Cory's been playing extremely well, hard, efficient. Defensively he's been a pit bull. He's helped our defense with the second unit, so we love to go small with him. He doesn't play small," said Casey.
Carroll is currently dealing with plantar fasciitis and is considered day-to-day so while he is out that will likely mean more time for Joseph. Even when Carroll is fully healthy though Joseph's minutes probably won't be effected as Casey has shown a willingness to keep him on the floor with the starters. Right now Joseph sits at about 23 minutes per game but if he keeps playing the way he has so far that will continue to rise.
