The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to have a whole lot of competition in training camp, which starts next week. Aside from Jahlil Okafor at center and Nerlens Noel at power forward, the starting lineup is unknown in Philadelphia as coach Brett Brown will look for the right combinations. Even though there are no locks to start at the three other spots, it is being reported that the small forward spot is Robert Covington's to lose, according to Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Covington played in 70 games for the 76ers last season, 49 of which were starts, and he was very impressive. Covington brings something to the table that Philadelphia does not have a lot of, and that is scoring ability. Covington isn't an incredibly efficient scorer, but he has the ability to stretch the floor and knock down the triple consistently, which the Sixers should covet with their two big men being interior players.
Covington is a 6-foot-9 forward who is entering his third season in the NBA out of Tennessee State, and he proved that he belonged last year. In his 70 games, the 24-year-old averaged 13.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game last season. Covington only made 40 percent of his field goal attempts, but he did make 37 percent of his three pointers, and that is where he will be most effective this coming season, too.
The biggest threat to Covington at the small forward spot is Jerami Grant, who some people think is the better option. Grant is not the shooter that Covington is by any means, but he too has very good size and is the much better defensive option. Based on style of play, it would seem like Covington would be the better fit for the starting lineup, as Grant would likely clog the middle that is already occupied by Okafor and Noel. Covington in the starting lineup would spread things out and would allow the two big men more one-on-one opportunities.
The fact that the spot is Covington's to lose would indicate that Grant would have to show vast improvement in training camp while Covington takes a major step back in order for Grant to start. Assuming that doesn't happen, the 76ers could have a very intriguing wing combination in Covington and new acquisition Nik Stauskas.
