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Robert Covington Learned Of Close Friend’s Death Minutes Before Last Night’s Tip-Off

Rober Covington is having himself a career year. He once came into the league as a working progress, but has since established himself into a legitimate “3 & D” starting caliber player within the league. As his basketball IQ and three-point shot has improved, Covington has gone from strength in his development, and has transitioned from solid role player to a central figure of everything good for the organization.

The 3 & D specialist will always be welcome on NBA rosters, as their ability to guard the opposition’s best player and be a threat from the outside prove invaluable to the success of their teams.

After being signed by Philly from the D-League in 2014, Covington quickly showed his ability to connect from range, and showed glimpses of being a lockdown defender in the future. He has embraced that defensive mold, and this past season saw Covington fly under the radar as one of the league’s elite defenders.

Unfortunately in the NBA world we live in today, the offensive side of the ball massively outshines what is happening on the defensive end. Despite both being equally as important, Covington may have not received the credit he deserves as of yet, but as his progression continues, so will the outside noise.

Last night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, easily was Covington’s worst game in recent memory. He finished with only two points and went 0-9 from three point land, compared to his 15.2 points on 43.3% threes, something seemed off. Turns out, basketball wasn’t the most important thing on Robert Covington’s mind that night.

Just before the game, Covington learned of a tragic death to a close friend.

 

Via NBC Sports Philadelphia.

“I found out before the game that a friend of mine back home had gotten killed today,” Covington said. “It kind of threw my mental off right before the game. Wrong place at the wrong time. I tried to play through it for my team and my teammates and everything, but it was just one of them tough games to deal with,” Covington said. “It kind of showed.”

My deepest condolences to Robert and the victim’s family and friends.