He averaged 6.5 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. He shot less than 40 percent from the field and shot less than 35 percent from three-point range. The above set of data was handed over by Blazers forward Covington, who was probably the top 3D player in the league three years ago.
During the 76ers era, Covington made a name for himself. Defending tough three-point accuracy, he later joined the Timberwolves and Rockets, and Covington was also an important rotation player for the team. He can even play the no. 5 position of the small ball, the defensive coverage is very wide, and the ability to change defenses is strong. Unexpectedly, this season, the 31-year-old Covington played like a 41-year-old, and now his starting position is gone. Even playing substitute Covington's efficiency has not recovered in the slightest.
Fans are puzzled as to why Covington has been in a slump without major injuries.
Heading into December, Covington has scored in double figures in just one game, and in the last 10 games, Covington has scored in two games. When playing for the Rockets last year, Covington averaged 12 points per game. In a year, Covington is like a changed person, playing like a 41-year-old player, lifeless, lifeless. The defense is not on the line, and the shots are repeatedly inaccurate. He has yet to handle the ball and the ability to attack autonomously, and there is little value on the pitch.
Why is this happening in Covington? There are two main reasons for this. Covington is 31 years old this year, and 31 is also a stage for forward players. There will be a certain decline in physical condition and youth. Covington is now moving a little slower than ever, and on the defensive end Covington is more on his feet. And the Blazers like to let Covington play a big forward, facing interior players taller than himself, Covington will have a harder time defending. His defensive stats aren't as good as they used to be.
The second question is related to the team. The Trail Blazers' current record is definitely not up to expectations, and they are currently only 11-17 in 11th place in the West. Covington played for the Philadelphia 76ers when he first entered the NBA, and the 76ers became the premier team in the East after getting Embiid and Simmons. Later, Covington joined the Rockets, and the Rockets are also a very strong team, with superstars like Harden. A 3D player like Covington is best suited to a championship-fighting team, not a waste of time on a mediocre team.
The Blazers' performance this season into the playoffs has been a problem. The core of the team, Lillard, is even more sluggish. So Covington was a bit passive and sluggish, with reservations in the presence, unwilling to exert all his strength. Playing very hesitantly, to put it bluntly, is not active, unwilling to seriously defend.
To put it another way, the Blazers have conceded nearly 113 points per game this season, ranking lower in the league. Their defensive efficiency is even closer to the bottom. The entire team, it seems, is the only one person with Corvington whose defensive experience is online. Imagine if you were Covington, would you be willing to wipe the team's ass in a bad defensive team?
Covington's patience seems to have been flattened, and his passive playing style seems to be a protest that he wants to leave the Trailblazers. Maybe leaving Blazers Covington's form will pick up, after all, he is only 31 years old, far from the stage of retirement. Dear readers, how do you rate Covington's performance so far? Feel free to leave a comment in the comments section below the article.