The NBA continues to transition from big ball to small ball. It has been an ongoing transition in the NBA in recent seasons, but it has really taken over for the Houston Rockets.
Former Philadelphia 76ers small forward Robert Covington has taken over as the team’s starting center standing at just 6-foot-7 and he has stepped into the role and really flourished. In the 2020 playoffs, Covington is averaging 12.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, and he is leading the playoffs in steals ar 2.4 per game. On top of that, he is averaging 1.4 blocks per game as he has really embraced being a small-ball center.
On top of that, he is efficient as he is shooting 50.6% from the floor overall and he is shooting a ridiculous 50.8% from deep. Covington’s success at the center spot and the Rockets playing small-ball should signal to general manager Elton Brand that the game is moving more towards that style of play rather than the bully ball style he tried to implement this season.
Houston is currently locked into a matchup with the Los Angeles Lakers where he has to take on matchups much bigger than him, but so far he has proven that he can hold his own in those matchups. The Rockets are currently locked in a 1-1 series with the Lakers after two games. [lawrence-related id=37483,37474,37470]