Rookie guard Cory Joseph barely had a chance to get acclimated with the Spurs before he was playing his first NBA game.
Joseph had only a morning shootaround to prepare with his new team before playing in his first game Saturday night at Houston. His delay in practice work came because he could not practice while awaiting a work visa.
“Pop just said go out there and play. Don’t worry about it. Just play hard,” Joseph said. ” So that’s what I tried to do.”
And despite working with the Spurs for a couple of more days, Joseph continues to adjust to the demands of the NBA.
“It’s still pretty steep,” Joseph said Tuesday at the Spurs’ practice. “I’ve only been here for a couple days now, getting to meet my teammates. Just trying to work hard and learn.”
Joseph was drafted by the Spurs with the 29th pick in the first round in the summer draft after playing only one season at Texas.
But he showed flashes during play with the Canadian National Team during their play at the FIBA Americas Championship this summer.
And he expects an easier adjustment for Wednesday’s rematch against the Rockets at the ATT Center in the preseason finale for both teams.
“They’re bringing me along fast,” Joseph said. “I’m trying to learn as much as I can as fast as I can.”
