The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers’ Robert Covington Break Out Season

By Bret Stuter

Apr 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) makes a three point shot past the outstretched hand of Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) makes a three point shot past the outstretched hand of Toronto Raptors guard Norman Powell (24) in the first half at Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) takes a shot during the third quarter of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Wells Fargo Center. The Hornets won the game 119-99. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) takes a shot during the third quarter of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at the Wells Fargo Center. The Hornets won the game 119-99. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

Trajectory

Robert Covington’s game will come together in the 2016-2017 season.

He’s coming off a hot end to a bad season, a season riddled with injury.  Still, he was the Philadelphia 76ers’ best trey shooter. He attempted 7.2 three-pointers per game , sinking 2.5 but good for 35.3 percent from deep range.  His accuracy fell slightly from the 37.4 percent posted the prior season. His scoring was also down a bit (12.8 points in 2015-16; 13.5 points in 2014-15), but that was caused to his injury and due to the fact that he drew most of the attention from the opposition.  He managed to improve in nearly all other areas, especially in the rebounding department, where his 6.3 rebounds per game, outpaced his previous season by nearly two more per game.

Where does he go statistically this year?

Nobody benefits more from the Ben Simmons selection than Robert Covington.  Already the team’s default arc shooter, he will get many more and cleaner looks in setting up at the outside and just draining buckets.  In fact, he could easily emerge as the team’s top scorer this year.

But that’s not all.  With the likelihood of a brand of Tall Ball coming to the Philadelphia 76ers this season, Covington will find himself looking up to the rest of the lineup.  At 6-foot-9 , that seldom happens to the man.

With so many new faces and unfamiliarity to the team next year, Covington will begin to assume the veteran role of the team.  At 25-29, he is entering his peak period for professional sports.  Head coach Brett Brown loves his versatility, where he can play all the way up to the four spot on a small ball line, all the way down to the two in the tall ball configuration.

He had focused on defense last year, and expect more of that – but not to the expense of his offense.   In fact, if he has the opportunity to play alongside Dario Saric, his offense will likely accelerate as teams will be forced to defend two accurate perimeter shooters on fast breaks.

Next: 5 Free Agents Philadelphia 76ers Should Not Waste Time With

The game has begun to slow down for Robert Covington.  I expect Covington is poised to have a great breakout year.  Lord Covington is a player Sam Hinkie singled out for good reason.  He will emerge this year as one of the best Sixers on the team.

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