The Toronto Raptors have been getting a preview of what Cory Joseph can do as their new point guard has been playing with the Canadian National Team for several weeks. The FIBA Americas tournament is about to tip off and Joseph can't wait to get going to help Canada land a spot in the 2016 Rio Olympics. From Ryan Wolstat of the Toronto Sun:

"Two years ago, Canada dropped three straight games at the FIBA Americas tournament to bomb out of the competition without a trip to the world championship secured. ... Joseph remembers it well and is using it as motivation at this competition, which finally kicks off Tuesday against Argentina, the team that put the final nail in Canada’s coffin in 2013 with a comeback win. 'For sure we’re itching to play the games now,' Joseph said after his team’s final practice in downtown Mexico City on Monday. Canada has not played a game since capping a 4-0 performance at the Tuto Marchand Cup in Puerto Rico last Wednesday. 'We’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time now. For me, since two years ago when we lost in Venezuela, we felt like we had enough to qualify and we were upset,' Joseph said. That Argentina is the first test is a nice bit of irony for Canada and Joseph."

Joseph signed a four-year, $29.89 million contract on July 9 and he will enter training camp as the main backup point guard behind starter Kyle Lowry.