The Sixer Sense
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Three Reasons Philadelphia 76ers Robert Covington Starts 2017-2018 Season

By Bret Stuter

Mar 26, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) defends in the first quarter of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 107-94. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) shoots the ball while Indiana Pacers guard Jeff Teague (44) defends in the first quarter of the game at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The Indiana Pacers beat the Philadelphia 76ers 107-94. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Here, Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket as Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 112-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; Here, Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) drives to the basket as Philadelphia 76ers forward Robert Covington (33) defends during the second half at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 112-109 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

I.   Versatility

The modern NBA has wrapped the future around a rather new concept: versatility. Where the aim in the  adolescence of the sport steered players towards specialization, the tide has reversed course.  Boasting a wider spectrum of skillsets is now in vogue.

As such, Robert Covington is particularly well suited for the present NBA. He does many things very well. But the “elite” moniker will likely not be in his future.  The term “jack of all trades master of none” is rather simplistic, but seems to represent what Covington brings.

Too Optimistic

I made the mistake of raising the bar too high for Robert Covington’s third season. In that assessment, I witnessed a great finish and projected it into next season’s great beginning.  My mistake. What we got was  a similar story on the offensive side of the ball.  Well, that has some explanation.  The key to Covington’s breakout in offense linked directly to rookie Ben Simmons’ debut. No Simmons? No breakout.  I was not alone in that belief. as Jonathon Kelly arrived at the same conclusion.  Where are we going wrong?

Trajectory.  The amount of training and energy required for Robert Covington to remain proficient in so many aspects of basketball lower the upside for any one task.  He will remain a 40 percent shooter from the floor, a 35 percent shooter from three-point range, a 12-13 PPG scorer, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block, and 2 steals level of player.  And that’s just fine.  Versatility is prized in the NBA, but it comes at a cost.