Robert Covington proving to be a keeper for the Sixers

Check out the original article, from Philly.com, here. 

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A large part of this season for the Sixers is about testing out talent and seeing which players may fit in the franchise’s future. In Robert Covington, the Sixers may have found such a player.

Covington, an undrafted forward who the Sixers called up the Grand Rapids Drive of the D-League in early November, began contributing on the court, and making his mark on the team, almost immediately.

Image from bleacherreport.com

Covington’s long-range shooting was the early attraction, and remains his calling card, as he provides the Sixers with a deep-threat they have long needed. ‘Ro-Co’, as he is referred to by the Philadelphia faithful, is currently 11^th overall in the entire NBA in three-point field goal percentage (42%). He is also 13^th in the NBA in threes made per game with 2.2, and is currently on a 20-game streak with at least one three pointer made. 

He’s deadly as a trailer on a fast break, and his ability to consistently knock down threes has opened up the floor for some of the team’s penetrating players like Michael Carter-Williams and Tony Wroten. But, it’s not just his shooting stroke that has made his play so promising, as other areas of his game are expanding over the course of the season as well.

His versatility is valuable, as he has slid up and down the lineup all season. He is a multi-faceted forward that can play multiple positions – he has played shooting guard, small forward, and power forward at different times throughout the season – and also defend multiple positions. He is quickly becoming comfortable with the team’s defensive rotations, as evidenced by his six steals in the Sixers win over the Nets on Friday.

Lately, Covington has also shown an improving ability to put the ball on the floor and take it to the basket, a great compliment to his deadly long-range game. He is also a serviceable rebounder, averaging 4.5 per game.

His shot is already a weapon, and at 24, ‘RC3’ still has ample opportunity to grow and expand upon his already-impressive game. In Covington, it seems the Sixers have found a player that can be part of the franchise’s future.