The Sixer Sense
Fansided

5 noteworthy things from the Sixers’ opening night loss

Christopher Kline|
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 18: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers jogs off the court against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on October 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - OCTOBER 18: Markelle Fultz #20 of the Philadelphia 76ers jogs off the court against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on October 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates after scoring against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on October 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers celebrates after scoring against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on October 18, 2017 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

4. Robert Covington’s improved role

The Athletic‘s Mike O’Connor said it best:

Last night was probably the most comfortable we’ve ever seen Covington in the Sixers’ offense. As Embiid, Simmons and J.J. Redick commanded the bulk of Washington’s defensive attention, Covington was able to execute off the ball, find his spots and step into open looks — something he hasn’t been as able to do in years past.

We’ve seen years of Covington shooting inefficiently in a space-devoid offense with little talent to defer to. He was forced into what would typically be bad shots for a player with his skill set, but didn’t have much of an option when given the ball well beyond the 3-point line with the shotclock winding down and nowhere else to go with the ball.

That was one of the issues with judging player development during The Process years. Players got plenty of run and plenty of shots, but they weren’t always in a position to optimize their talent. That wasn’t anybody’s fault, just the nature of rebuilding with minimal talent.

Covington is in a spot now where his game can compliment better creators and isolation scorers, rather than being forced into that awkward role he’s been in for the past several years. We could see RoCo’s most efficient season to date.