National Basketball Association

Robert Covington's Time To Pay It Forward

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Robert Covington began last season injured and slumping. This year, Ben Simmons has fallen to injury. What a perfect opportunity for “Lord” Covington to pay if forward.

A year ago, it was Robert Covington who fell to injury just before the season began. Philadelphia 76ers small forward Robert Covington missed just over two weeks with a sprained MCL and bone bruise in his right knee. Covington sustained the injury in the fourth quarter of the 76ers’ final preseason game, an 81–65 loss to the Boston Celtics. Covington landed awkwardly after a missed layup and was helped off the court by teammates.

Even upon returning, he was not truly himself. In fact, after several games of normal play, he fell into a deep and prolonged slump on the basketball court. It was not until the middle of January 2016 that the familar “RoCo” returned, as he pumped in 25 points against the Chicago Bulls.

That was then, this is now.

Throughout the struggles, head coach Brett Brown did not lose faith in his player. In fact, he adjust “Ro Co”s playing minutes to give him a chance to take a deep breath.

Throughout it all, he encouraged Covington to focus on defense, and let the shooting return naturally.

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Ben Simmons (25) and forward Robert Covington (33) shoot at the basket from the second floor balcony during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Second Verse, Same As the First

Fast forward to the present. Now the injured is top draft pick Ben Simmons. Much like the very versatile Simmons, Robert Covington has been used in many ways in head coach Brett Brown’s many line-ups: power forward, small forward, and even shooting guard.

As it stands today, Covington is not only one of the more senior players on this roster, but he is second to only Jahlil Okafor in scoring. In fact, his scoring in April had reached an apex of 18.1 points per game.

While the absence of Simmons is certainly a blow to the optimism of the Philadelphia 76ers this season, he was not expected to carry the team into the playoffs by any means. He was simply one of many rookies who were hoped to elevate the overall play of this team. But they are all rookies, after all.

Brett Brown knows the limits to a rookie first hand. He’s spent the past three seasons developing all of the new faces on the roster courtesy of former general manager Sam Hinkies search for elite basketball talent.

In fact, Covington was one such player.

Sep 26, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) during media day at the Philadelphia 76ers Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Student Becomes Teacher

This season, Covington is the wise sage of the group. While he is not as seasoned of an NBA veteran as Elton Brand, he is one of the most experienced players in Brett Brown’s version of the Philadelphia 76ers. As such, eyes may look elsewhere, but the stats will point to Ro Co.

Covington is a crisp scorer. While not as innovative as the elite Allen Iverson, he has a rainbow’s spectrum of shots from virtually anywhere on the court. However, he is at his deadliest when he gets the ball in his hands and a clean look to the basket.

At the season ended, Covington was routinely scoring over 20 points per game. When the season opens this year, expect that to pick up right where he left off.

But will it be enough?

Even with Ben Simmons on the bench, the team will benefit with upgrades throughout the roster. Pace will be kick started by the new additions to the team, spacing will be enhanced by Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, Gerald Henderson, and Jerryd Bayless, and passing will be boosted by Embiid Saric and Sergio Rodriguez.

All Covington needs to do is defend and shoot. That’s something he does very well.

While nobody expected the Philadelphia 76ers to explode into an immediate playoff team this year, there is a great deal of anticipation and excitement among all NBA fans to witness firsthand the play of the 76ers new rookies. Simmons injury delays that debut somewhat.

But success for this team is not a spotlight on center stage. It’s solid blue-collar workhorse production. To that end, look for Robert Covington to balance the ledger sheet this year. Nobody expects much from him this year, except the faithful readers of The Sixer Sense.