After Robert Covington missed the first two games of the season, the Sixers could have some help on Monday with the probable return of their top shooter.
Out since the preseason finale with a strained knee and bone bruise, Covington practiced 80 percent Sunday at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and if he is able to play against Cleveland on Monday night, it will be with a minutes restriction.
But Covington on a restriction is a lot better than playing without him, coach Brett Brown said. With Nik Stauskas going all out at practice for the first time since training camp Sunday, the Sixers will have two legitimate three-point threats on the floor.
“This is the most shooters we’ve ever had,” Brown said. “Shooters make the game go ‘round. It’s a helluva lot easier when you can play with space.”
With Stauskas only available for limited minutes on Friday and Covington out, the Sixers had a difficult time spacing the floor. The Celtics were able to double-team big man Jahlil Okafor without worry in last Wednesday’s opener and Utah’s big men, Rudy Gobert and Derrick Favors, had plenty of help against Okafor when Stauskas was out.
If Covington can play on Monday night, the offense should open up, Brown says.
“When you have non-shooters on the floor, they just crowd the paint,” Brown said. “We experienced that for two years.”
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With Stauskas added to the mix, Brown believes this could be a breakout year for Covington. Added to the Sixers’ roster the third week of last season, Covington led the team in three-pointers with 167 and was 10th in the NBA in both three-pointers made and attempted last season, hitting at a 39.6 percent clip.
“I believe people are starting to get to know the name Robert Covington,” Brown said. “There is a fluid side to his game and a beauty to his stroke. He shoots the ball perfectly. He’s starting to do other things like dribble and shoot the ball and lead the break off a rebound. He is starting to be able to guard people with more technique and pride.”
Stauskas, who went 2 for 3 from three-point range last Friday, could eventually land in the starting lineup with Covington. In the short term, Brown may continue to use Stauskas as an offensive spark off the bench.
Either way, the second-year player out of Michigan has the green light to fire up shots whenever he wants.
“Every time he’s open I want him to shoot it,” Brown said of Stauskas. “It’s really that simple and it’s really that true. We want him to space and shoot it. When he feels defenses are on him, he has to drive. When it’s close, he has to use an up fake or a jab step. When [the defense is] way back, let it fly.”
While Stauskas may spend most of his time in the halfcourt offense hanging near the three-point line, Covington could freelance a bit. After all, he’s just not a shooter, says Stauskas. Covington helps the offense by spacing the floor and has the ability to get to the rim, Stauskas said.
He also can make plays for his teammates, too.
“He’s not only a shooter, but a playmaker,” Stauskas said. “He’s able to get in the lane and make plays and he’s a smart basketball. Just having another guy out there who can knock down some shots makes it easier for all of us.”
In the meantime, Covington used his down time wisely. Though he has to recover some of his game fitness lost from sitting out for the past week, Covington picked up a lot just from watching the Sixers play.
Sometimes the best way to really learn the game is to watch it.
“Being out for the past few games I got a visual for what coach has been talking about,” Covington said. “That’s one thing that has helped me being out the last few days. I have a better understanding of what he’s talking about.”
Maybe the Sixers will look better on Monday night after the 28-point loss to the Jazz on Friday. Though the Sixers face Cleveland and LeBron James, they won’t be as shorthanded with the possibility that Covington will be in the lineup.
“You have a legitimate scoring option and really, at times, our best scoring option,” Brown said about Covington. “It helps and we have to be smart with Nik (Stauskas) who is still on a minutes restriction and Robert, who is just coming back. It will be a big boost, especially for our offense.”