(Cedar Park, TX) - Welcome back to Austin, Cory Joseph and Lance Thomas.
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| Cory Joseph |
"It was a little bit of a slow start, but I feel like I got the first one out of the way and tomorrow I'll come back even stronger," said Joseph after the game. "Yesterday was my first practice...we're in here working our butts off. I want to see the fans come in here, show some support, and we won't let you down."
Lance Thomas, the former Duke product, made his return after a brief stint in the NBA with the New Orleans Hornets. Thomas didn't look like he missed a beat, putting up 18 points with 6 rebounds and 2 assists.
"I thought Lance Thomas was terrific," said Coach Brad Jones.
Not to be forgotten, Eric Dawson put up another double-double (12 points and 10 boards), his fifth of this short season, and Justin Dentmon was the player of the game with a game high 24 points. Once again, Justin was solid from the free throw line with under a minute left to ice the game.
"Don't miss a free throw", says Dentmon, when asked what goes through his mind when he's at the charity stripe in a pressure situation. "If I do miss one, miss the second one...because the first one really carries you over to the second one."
The Toros take on the Texas Legends on Friday at 7:30pm at the Cedar Park Center.
"It's gonna be a tough game tomorrow night," said coach Jones. "We've handled them 3 straight times, so you know, if they got anything to them, they're going to want to beat us...I hope our fans come out and support us tomorrow night."
"It's gonna be a tough matchup," says Dentmon. "Let's get a win!"
Box Score courtesy of NBA D League.
Coaches Corner
Despite a 6 point victory, Austin Toros Head Coach Brad Jones was not necessarily thrilled with his teams' performance.
"I'm not excited about a lot of things, the way we played. I thought we started the game off with the wrong mentality. I didn't feel like we wanted to touch anybody on the defensive end... To our credit, as the game went on, we got a little better toughness about us, but I'm very happy we won the game because we did not play the typical Toros game," said Coach after the game. "We did not have the same passion about being a good team as we've had to this point in the season."
So what are the things that the Coach wants his team to work on?
"We talk alot about being accountable and getting to the right spot, both offensively and defensively. It's amazing when we do those simple things, then we're really really good. There were a lot of times tonight we couldn't get to the right spot...that's what's unacceptable in my mind. I understand guys trying to feel out... but at the same time, you still know where to get on offense and you still know where you're supposed to be on defense. When we get it together, we're good."
They were good enough tonight for a win. Part of the reason that the team didn't play up to the Coach's standards may have to do with lack of familiarity with each other. Of course, as is the norm with D League basketball, there were roster shakeups this week, with the return of Forward Lance Thomas and the debut of G Cory Joseph.
"I think that's a little bit why we were out of sorts tonight. It's 2 major guys coming in; 2 NBA guys," said Jones. "Those are two really good players and we're excited to have them."
Coach Jones on the debut of Cory Joseph:
"He's like a little blur out there," said joked Jones of Cory's speed. "Now he's just got to learn how to use it a little bit better. You gotta remember, he should be a sophomore in college and he hasn't played much pro basketball. He got...31 minutes tonight, so that's the most minutes he's gotten combined in pro basketball, so it'll be a process for him but that's why he's here."
Coach Jones on the possibility of Manu Ginobili rehabbing in Austin with the Toros:
"He'd make me look like a good coach if he played for me," laughed Jones. "I have no idea, I think that's 6-8 weeks away. But I'd be all for it!"
Watch the entire player's and coach's interviews below:
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