The Sixer Sense
Fansided

Philadelphia 76ers Robert Covington is team’s enforcer

Bret Stuter|
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 13: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after being called for a foul in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pacers defeated the 76ers 101-98. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 13: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers reacts after being called for a foul in the fourth quarter against the Indiana Pacers at the Wells Fargo Center on March 13, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Pacers defeated the 76ers 101-98. 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 Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
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The Enforcer

You see, he’s played for the Philadelphia 76ers since November 2014. When he arrived, he immediately went to work helping out the team at the perimeter.  He ended that season shooting 37.4 percent from three-point range.  That shooting proficiency, and his 13.5 points per game on a pretty weak roster stood out.

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3 of the most overpaid players on the LA Clippers' roster

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    • And that was further enhanced from the knowledge that Robert Covington did not hear his name called in an NBA Draft.  His offense was a highlight for a pretty bad team.  But the fact that the team gave him an opportunity demonstrated one of the true strengths of the Philadelphia 76ers rebuild. They found raw talent in players other NBA teams turned their noses up at.  Covington proved that he could score in the NBA.

    Defensive sensai trains Covington

    But Coach Brown saw a better role for Covington. With that incredible wingspan, defensive-minded Brown saw his first elite-defender-in-the-raw in Covington.  And so, the arduous effort to shape Covington’s game to the defensive side of the ball began. Developing skills is not linear. Some games showed great promise. Other games showed less reason for hope.

    As Covington focused on defense, he encountered huge slumps  in his offense. To the fans, that triggered their emotions. They could tolerate losing games as long as players and the overall roster improved. When that did not seem to be the case, they let loose with the type of boos only Philadelphia fans are known for. All the while, the less obvious defense continued to get better.