Philadelphia 76ers Will Be Just Fine Philadelphia

Nov 27, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Patrick Beverley (behind) shoots the ball as Philadelphia 76ers small forward Robert Covington (front) defends during the first half at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Two’s Company… Three’s A Glimmer Of Hope

Joining Thompson in the offensive resurgence has been Robert Covington, a players who began the season as one of the many wounded warriors on the team.   He had to overcome two separate MCL sprains of his right knee to even see the court this season.  Understandably, he was meted into playing minutes as his timing and shooting returned to NBA form.  But they have returned, and his output has shown remarkable increases in recent games.  The resurgence Covington has not translated into wins just yet, because his offensive output simply has offset the waning production of Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel.

When Covington first returned to the court, he was without his colleague Tony Wroten Jr, and his long range shot.   While he made shots from the floor and the free throw line, he simply struggled beyond the arc.  The past four games have been a different story.  He shot three of six triples against the Miami Heat Saturday night, and has shot nearly 44.0 percent from the perimeter (14-32) ever since.  He equaled a personal-best on Friday by knocking down six trips versus the Houston Rockets, in only nine attempts.

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It’s not just his offensive performance against the Houston Rockets that was that a welcome arrival for the Sixers, but his defense has risen to a new level as he set a new career-high with eight steals.  That output came on the heels of a six-steal effort in the Sixers’ previous contest at the Boston Celtics.  He’s stepped his game up on both sides of the court simultaneously, and not a moment too soon.

"“I didn’t realize I had eight steals, but I was just in the right place and position and being in the right spot and it was a great game. We put everything that we’ve been working on and it shows out there, every time we step on the floor.  Guys come out, and we compete, and it shows how much heart we have, and how much fight we have.  Times are going to come where we’re going to put everything together, and I think we’re going to come out with a victory.” – Robert Covington after falling to the Houston Rockets"

Covington is responsible for 21 total steals his last three outings as he had seven steals in Sunday’s loss to the Memphis Grizzles, is now the first Sixer to record at least six steals in consecutive games since Thaddeus Young did so in February 2014, when he produced a combined 13 steals in losses to the Dallas Mavericks and Milwaukee Bucks.  While the Sixers are still trying to find the right pieces and the right combinations, Robert Covington is taking the guesswork out of it.  He is playing so well on both sides of the court that I cannot see anyone bumping him onto the bench.

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