Houston Rockets forward Robert Covington says he emulated his game as a child after Basketball Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen.
Pippen and the 1990s Chicago Bulls are back in the spotlight given ESPN’s ongoing “The Last Dance” documentary, and Covington addressed both the series and his admiration for Pippen in a Monday Q&A.
“My favorite player growing up was Scottie Pippen,” the 29-year-old Covington said in response to a fan question via the NBA’s Twitter account. “He’s part of the reason I wear [the jersey number] 33.”
Covington said he was nicknamed after Pippen in high school. Long known for defense, length, and versatility, Covington elaborated on the similar facets of Pippen’s game that he found appealing:
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.
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.
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
Over his 17-year NBA career — including one season in Houston — Pippen averaged 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game.
As for Covington, in 14 games with the Rockets, he’s averaging 12.8 points (35.7% on 3-pointers), 7.9 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in 32.6 minutes per game as the team’s starter at power forward.
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Q: Following another Sunday of The Last Dance, can you tell us what Michael Jordan means to you as a legend? Did his play help shape your game? #NBATogether
– @NBAHistoryA: 🔊 @Holla_At_Rob33 pic.twitter.com/ASU1nWD23H
— NBA (@NBA) April 27, 2020