Kevin C. Cox - Getty Images
SAN ANTONIO – The San Antonio Spurs today announced that they have assigned rookie Cory Joseph to the Austin Toros of the NBA Development League.
Joseph, a 6-3 guard, has seen action in four games for the Spurs this season, totaling 2 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists in 22 minutes.
The Spurs selected Joseph out of the University of Texas with the 29th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. In his lone season with the Longhorns he was named to the Big 12 All-Rookie Team and earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.
Joseph will practice with the Toros today at the Spurs practice site from 1-3 p.m.
Joseph will make his Austin debut on Thursday, Jan. 5 when the Toros host the Maine Red Claws at the Cedar Park Center at 7 p.m.
0 recs | 22 comments
Wow. Manu gets hurt, Neal is sent down to rehab and now CuJo gets sent down too? Who’s left?
TP and TJ
& and Green
RJ and Kawhi
Blair and Bonner
TD and Tiago
10 active players! Signing coming?
Sh!fty - January 3, 2012
ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding ding
Josh Guyer (completely deck) - January 3, 2012
How about some chinese? There has to be a legal loophole that you can’t keep them from getting a job or something.
Sh!fty - January 3, 2012
Well, Neal will be back soon enough.
Green is now a rotational player.
Ford needs a lot of time.
grego21 - January 3, 2012
There is a roster minimum (12?) that has to be met and the Spurs can’t keep these few players going with so many THIGAFONIs and FOGAFINIs coming.
Sh!fty - January 3, 2012
Spurs will sign a few 10 dayers here and there from the D-League probably.
It’s better that Joseph sees consistent play time. He’s only one year out of college and getting time in the Spurs system where the team is focused on his development is more beneficial.
grego21 - January 3, 2012
They might but I think they need people who can play not roster fillers. TD is bound to sit some seconds games of the next back to backs or at least play less minutes. They need that 5th big at the least or wing (if they play Kawhi or RJ at the 4), otherwise they will be forced to play starters full minutes every game, regardless of a blowout.
Sh!fty - January 3, 2012
They need roster fillers. Spurs are deep at the wings still. You have RJ/Anderson/Green/Leonard.
Another big has been a story even before the Manu injury, so yeah, I think that’s a moot point in this conversation.
grego21 - January 3, 2012
I agree on every point but I think we don’t have the same definition of roster fillers. To me, roster filler is someone who is never going to play unless there is 2 minutes left on a blowout and you already tired your regular backups. Considering that you have only 10 players right now, the incoming players need to be ready to play relatively meaningful minutes on back to backs and in case of foul trouble or more injuries (gulp! my fifth metacarpal hurt when I typed that).
The 5th big need was prior to Manu’s injury of course, but this makes it more urgent because so far, the 5th wing has been sliding to play PF. Now that Manu is gone, Green and Leonard have to play as backup SG/SF to &erson and RJ.
Sh!fty - January 3, 2012
Looks like you got your wish for a 5th big.
grego21 - January 3, 2012
Maybe not my first wish but I’ll take it. :D
Sh!fty - January 3, 2012
If they needed another wing, they are probably better off bringing De’Sean Butler from Austin down since he has some experience and has looked decent in Austin.
grego21 - January 3, 2012
This is good for his development. If he is with the Spurs, practice time would be limited.
Heman - January 3, 2012
Well, as of now, there’s no practice (which is why Neal is in Austin), so at least he gets some.
grego21 - January 3, 2012
Making room for something? Bonner for Wade and James anyone?
Spurs Yoda - January 3, 2012
Nah! We can’t lose Bonner, we would be even thinner up front!
Sh!fty - January 3, 2012
Well, I think we all expected this, just not so soon… especially with Manu out and Gary stil rehabbing(unless they’re bringing him back early?).
Tim C. - January 3, 2012
if no PT for CJ then good news for Green to stick to roster and all systems go for Neal’s impending return.
i luv this site - January 3, 2012
The Spurs would still count Manu, Joseph and Neal as part of their 13 man roster so they meet the 12 man minimum requirement. There is some secondary rule as to the minimum that would have to be active and suited up for a game. They have the maximum raised to 13 for the start of the season, the maximum normally being12. I’m not sure what the minimum is under the new rules, but the Spurs have 10 at the moment and are given some period of time to comply. Neal will likely only play 2 games for the Toros, and only miss one game with the Spurs. I doubt that they will, but Manu should be able to suit up and sit on the bench the entire game if they are simply counting the number of players suiting up. Generally there would be one or two getting a DNP in a typical game anyways.
I had been thinking that when the Spurs have Neal in Austin, it might be nice to have Joseph put in time with him so that the two get to work together. It’s possible that his assignment might only be as long as Neal’s though he seems more likely to stay longer. If Neal is back after a game or two to back up Anderson then Danny Green would be in about the same spot he’s currently in by being the 5th wing.
Alamo - January 3, 2012
Green will likely still get more play time at the beginning or at least should over Neal. A week in Austin won’t make up for all that time he missed.
Aside from RJ, he was the best wing in last night’s game. He’s arguably the Spurs most versatile wing on D (since he can guard the 1 position).
grego21 - January 3, 2012
You may be right. I was going by their relative position when Neal was last playing. Neal might need to play well in his limited minutes coming back while rusty, and if Green plays well might find it tough to regain his minutes.
Alamo - January 3, 2012
Well, now Neal isn’t even playing in Austin, which I don’t agree with. Green should just by default, should be ahead of Neal.
If Pop still want to stick with his “focus on defense” then Green should get the bulk of the minutes.
Neal is an OK defender, but not being in shape hurts more, especially on the defensive end.
grego21 - January 3, 2012
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