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Toronto Raptors: 3 Ways Cory Joseph Can Improve in 2016-17

By Demar Grant

October 5, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) dribbles the basketball during the first half in a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at SAP Center. The Warriors defeated the Raptors 95-87. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
October 5, 2015; San Jose, CA, USA; Toronto Raptors guard Cory Joseph (6) dribbles the basketball during the first half in a preseason game against the Golden State Warriors at SAP Center. The Warriors defeated the Raptors 95-87. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 4, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors point guard Cory Joseph (6) tries to get the attention of Jonas Valanciunas (not pictured) against the Portland Trail Blazers at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Trail Blazers 117-115. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Longevity

Joseph logged 2046 minutes last season. This was 200 more than the year before and it was evident over the course of the campaign.

The precipitous fall Joseph encountered is slightly alarming. As the season progresses, it’s not surprising to see a slight drop off in performance from players as they continue to rack up minor injuries, but he was never injured.

Pre All-Star Break

Post All-Star Break

By the All-Star break, CoJo had seen nearly the same amount of minutes he had played all season in his last year with the Spurs and it showed. He was running on empty the last 24 games and indicative of fatigue, his jump shot fell apart along with his drives to the rim.

Joseph’s mid-range game was the fall-back plan to his drives, but they made fans more and more weary as he took that shot. Even his drives to the rim became less effective.

CoJo’s play style is frantic, with a lot of contact and sprinting. which means it’s also very taxing. Joseph was getting spot minutes in San Antonio so it made sense for him to play exuberantly in his given time, but now on this Raptors squad he’s a major part of the rotation, so that means pacing himself over the duration of the entire season.

Next: 3 ways DeMar DeRozan can improve for the Raptors

This drop off in efficiency isn’t new – it happens all the time to players who get extended minutes compared to their previous years of play, so it’s not a major case for worry. Improved conditioning over the summer and better pacing should lead to a renewed CoJo throughout the course of the season.

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