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Canada went to the FIBA Americas to qualify for the 2016 Olympics. It failed, in an embarrassing and deeply weird manner, losing by one point to Venezuela on Friday after having a seven-point lead with three minutes to go. Close to tears, Cory Joseph told reporters after that game that he "played horrible" and "didn't lead my team" after going 1-for-8 from the field. Then he and his Canadian teammates had to play a meaningless game the next day.

On Saturday, Canada and Mexico competed for a bronze medal, which has no bearing on whether or not either team makes it to the Olympics. It would be a stretch to say Joseph redeemed himself, but he did hit a game-winner to end the tournament on a positive note:

The shot itself was rather ridiculous. It was a Dirk Nowitzki-ish stepback jumper off one foot, with a hand in his face, and he swished it like it was nothing. On Canada's previous offensive possession, Joseph also hit a clutch jumper. He finished with 11 points, eight assists and six rebounds in the 87-86 win.

None of this means the tournament was a success for Canada -- it is still hard to believe this team lost the way it did -- but the players did look happy afterward:

Joseph will try to build on this as a member of his hometown Toronto Raptors this coming season. He'll surely get a warm welcome, though there might be more positive vibes if he'd helped Canada qualify for the Olympics for the first time since 2000.

Cory Joseph gets his Dirk on. (FIBA)
Cory Joseph gets his Dirk on. (FIBA)