ROCO is an elite defender
Robert Covington is an absolute pest defensively. Ranking 26th in the league in Defensive Real Plus/Minus (Min 50 games played). Even under uncertain circumstances, Covington proved to be one of the better defenders in the league.
Not only can Covington play positions 2-4 (and even Center in a pinch), but he can defend 1-5. Few players can legitimately defend 1-5, and the Trail Blazers nabbed one in ROCO.
Covington will hopefully sure-up a Blazers defense that ranked 26th in the league in opponent’s points per game and 28th in defensive rating.
A healthy roster should also help the defense bounce back, but Covington will lead that effort.
Offensively, Covington will add a nice catch and shoot option for Damian Lillard and Co. 89% of Covington’s threes were considered “catch and shoot.” He ranked second in the entire league in three-point catch and shoot attempts.
While his percentage on those shots was only 33%, we could see that number increase in the right offense.
In the 2017-18 season (Covington’s last in Philadelphia), he ranked first in the league in catch and shoot threes and hit them at a 37.9% clip.
If the Blazers can tap into the ROCO of old, they will have a dangerous player on their hands though admittedly, that may be a sizable if.
When watching Covington, he won’t look like Kyle Korver, but his occasional bricks don’t tell the whole story.
Fans (especially in Philadelphia) were frustrated by the appearance of Covington’s poor shooting from behind the arc, it’s important to notice the volume at which he shoots threes.
Covington’s 3pt% doesn’t leap off the page, but it should be noted, he shoots a very, very high volume. 75% of his shots with Houston were 3s. Also, anecdotally from watching him, when he gets hot, he gets HOT.
— Willie McCoy (@Bluey97) November 17, 2020
As a defender and a shooter, Covington brings some much-needed help to this Blazers’ team. With Rodney Hood testing free agency, expect Covington to play Small Forward for the Blazers. He could easily slide over to Power Forward if the team signs another quality wing (unless the Paul Milsap rumors are true).
Robert Covington is the type of player every NBA team should pine for. Two first-round picks may seem steep, but for a player of Covington’s caliber and versatility, he’s easily worth the price.