Much like the rest of the basketball world, Houston Rockets forward Robert Covington is enjoying ESPN’s 10-part docu-series “The Last Dance”.
In a Q&A session on Monday with NBA TV, the 29-year-old winger revealed that he idolized Scottie Pippen growing up and even patterned his game to the Chicago Bulls legend.
“My favorite player growing up was Scottie Pippen,” the Rockets wing said following a question from a fan. “He’s part of the reason I wear [the jersey number] 33.”
Q: Who were your favorite players in the NBA when you were growing up! #NBATogether
– @boliver36A:
@Holla_At_Rob33 pic.twitter.com/XZHhUULRoR
— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2020
Apart from sharing the same number as Pip, Covington does possess a similar built and skillset to the NBA Hall of Famer. In fact, the 6-foot-7 forward was dubbed as “Pippen” by his peers in high school.
“He’s one of those people that does all the little things, the dirty work. He’s one of the greatest players to play the game. I’ve always looked up to a guy like him. He does a little bit of everything. I’ve always been like that,” Robert Covington described Pippen.
“You can’t have a greater person to emulate your game around than Scottie Pippen. Mike [Jordan] is one of the greatest, but Scottie is one of the ones that held things together.”
Pippen would have fit well in this era, considering he was one of the best 3-and-D in NBA history. He was also considered as one of the first point-forwards in the game due to his playmaking ability.
Covington, meanwhile, is just starting to carve his niche in the league but is already coveted for his defense and 3-point shooting.
Like Pippen, Covington also plays much bigger than his size and currently mans the paint for the Rockets alongside another undersized forward in PJ Tucker.
Covington has been rejuvenated this season since joining Houston following a mid-season trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is averaging 12.8 points, 7.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 1.1 steals, and 2.5 blocks in 14 games for the Rockets.
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