No longer overlooked
How Covington went from undrafted free agent to one of the trade deadline’s biggest prizes
Defensive growth made Robert Covington coveted.
Rockets forward Robert Covington could have allowed himself a last laugh at those who had doubted or overlooked him. No one would blame him. But if he had such an urge, he successfully resisted it.
Covington went undrafted out of Tennessee State in 2013. He played only sparingly in seven games as a Rockets rookie, spending the bulk of his first season in the D-League, then was waived the next fall.
He signed with the 76ers in 2014 with none of the fanfare that accompanies even the most mundane of trade deadline maneuvers or buyout market pickups.
Six years later, he was among the hot commodities at this season’s trade deadline, with his name all over the rumor mill. He noticed the difference.
“It’s a big compliment,” said Covington, acquired by the Rockets in the deal that cost them center Clint Capela and this season’s first-round pick. “I take it. But there’s never a moment I look at it like a kid that a lot of people had questions about, that was an in-betweener. To go through and be praised for how you have been, that’s a blessing. I’m thankful I’m here to add value to this team.”
His qualities seemingly should have been difficult to miss. He is every bit of 6-foot-7, even now that the NBA has required truth in reporting heights, with outstanding length and shooting range (he made 42.2 percent of his college 3s as a four-year starter). Even with that in mind, Covington did not blame NBA executives for not appreciating his talents, instead crediting those who helped him develop them.
“I’ve changed a lot,” Covington said. “I’ve become a prolific defender. I’ve always been an OK defender. But my coaches back then, Lloyd Pearce (the Hawks coach who was then a Sixers assistant) and (76ers coach) Brett Brown gave me a challenge, gave me a big challenge.
“It was like, ‘In order for you to be great in this league, you have to be able to stop some of the best. You’re going to be a very big focal point to a lot of things.’ I had coaches that really helped me and put me in a great spot to learn a lot. It all worked out for the best.”
He also dealt with the rumors better than when he was sent to the Timberwolves in the Sixers’ deal to land Jimmy Butler in 2018. That might have demonstrated how he had become viewed in the NBA, but when it reached a different level this season, he was ready.
“The first time there were a lot of rumors, but this time, as far as the magnitude of how teams wanted me, it was crazy,” Covington said. “It was difficult at times. You never know when or where you’ll end up. I didn’t let it get to me. I did that before.”
It helped that he was so familiar with the team most rumored to want him. Covington spent most of his first stint with the Rockets playing for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers, winning D-League rookie of the year and the D-League All-Star Game
MVP.
His determination defensively, disruptive on the ball and in passing lanes, built a reputation rare in a player who had been so overlooked.
“That’s what keeps me on the floor,” said Covington, a 2017-18 first-team All-Defensive Team selection. “I definitely have big-time pride. When a guy scores on me, I take that personal. I’ve grown into that.”
That also made the Rockets covet him as an upgrade defensively while bringing the 3-point shooting range they wanted at every position while spreading the floor in their shift to fulltime small-ball.
That was on display in his first hours with the Rockets, when he rushed from Minneapolis to Houston on a daybreak flight, went through the customary whirlwind of physicals, took a red-eye to Los Angeles, and after a quick meal and nap with no practice or shootaround with his new team, showed why the Rockets went to such extreme measures to get him.
“That’s what I’m here for,” Covington said. “Being able to be that in the lineup we have, I’m able to add more versatility. The guys can do a lot on this team, but me being the elite defender I’m accustomed to being.”
He got his hands on postentry passes and long rebounds, but most conspicuously, helped seal the win with a blocked shot coming from behind Anthony Davis and then by hitting a corner 3 over Davis.
“That’s what he does,” Rockets guard James Harden said. “That’s why we added him to this team. Obviously, he can shoot the ball. He had a big-time block on Anthony Davis. He did an unbelievable job rebounding the basketball. He’s solid.”
He is, however, still getting acclimated to a new team and his return to Houston. Though video study before each game has helped, Covington said he plans to take the next adjustment steps through the All-Star break, from getting a better feel for the Rockets offense to moving back to Houston.
“Still getting a feel for everything; how our offense is designed and how teams are playing guys,” Covington said. “Trying to learn everything on the fly, it’s still different from what I’m accustomed to. “I’ll be here probably during All-Star break. I have a lot of stuff I have to get done as far as houses and getting stuff situated, my dogs. I’ll be able to do a lot.”
He already has shown Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni plenty.
“Obviously, Covington is a big-time player,” he said. “It’s good stuff.”
That is also a long way from overlooked.