The basketball part of the decision was simple for Cory Joseph, because he saw a perfect fit for his skills and experience.

So he leapt at it, and it has worked out better than some would have expected.

The other part could have been troubling, though, as the demands away from the game for a Pickering kid playing for the Toronto Raptors might have been overwhelming.

The family commitments, expectations of old friends, the tugs and time-consuming issues off the floor have eaten up lesser NBA players; home may be where the heart is but it isn’t necessarily where the career thrives.

Not for Joseph, however.

Not only has he shone on the court, he’s a sometimes-overlooked vital piece of a 56-win Raptors team. He’s successfully been able to balance being the first local hero to play a vital, regular role for the Raptors with handling the responsibilities that go with his history.

“I feel like I’ve got a good team controlling my situation for me,” Joseph said Friday after a final workout heading into Game 1 of the playoffs against the Indiana Pacers.

“There is a lot of stuff I do off the court because I’m here in my city, but obviously I understand I wouldn’t be doing that stuff if I wasn’t playing basketball so basketball is my job and it comes first.

“The other stuff falls into place and I like doing that stuff off the court, whatever it may be, getting into the community. There’s definitely a bit extra to do but at the same time, I’m thankful and grateful for it.”

For all of Joseph’s fame off the court and the acclaim it has brought him in the community, his play has made him invaluable to the Raptors. He has been as advertised — a tough defender, a guy able to take a lot of pressure off Kyle Lowry in a two-guard lineup coach Dwane Casey is more than comfortable with. Joseph has played more minutes this season than he had in his first four seasons with the San Antonio Spurs and has shown no signs of slowing down.

And with the Pacers rotating guards George Hill, Monta Ellis and Ty Lawson in and out, Joseph is likely to have a significant role in the best-of-seven series.

And he is Toronto’s most accomplished post-season player. Joseph has appeared in 41 playoff games — Luis Scola is second on the team with 37 — and won a championship with the Spurs.

Joseph is relatively soft-spoken but understands an enhanced leadership role might be necessary.

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“I feel like when the time is right, for sure I will. I have no problem voicing my opinion,” he said.

“These guys have been to the playoffs two consecutive years now — obviously not the way they wanted to finish — but they know what it is, what playoff basketball is like. I don’t have to tell them what it’s like, but as the situation presents itself, I’ll definitely voice my opinion if I feel it’s needed.”