Translation: Robert Covington, from being a key piece to looking for a team in the NBA: "I'm someone who can do the little things and be very effective"

After spending 11 years in the NBA with Houston Rockets, Philadelphia 76ers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Portland Trail Blazers, and Los Angeles Clippers, Robert Covington is currently without a team. The 34-year-old forward granted an interview to HoopsHype in which he talked about his current situation, his past in the league, what he could bring to a team, and even who has been his favorite coach throughout his career.

AmeriCup

"Training has been good. I'm getting back into rhythm and feeling pretty good. Overall, it's nice to be back playing competitive basketball.

I was surprised yes and no because I know that there are a lot of people who could have been in this position, but at the same time, I'm a great player, a great person, a good veteran, and someone from whom a lot can really be learned."

Physical condition

"I wouldn't say I was dealing with that going into the preseason. I was pretty good. I was training, doing a lot of things. A lot of good things, well enough to play, but for some reason, that didn't happen. It's okay. I entered the summer preparing for my next opportunity and just was patient with everything. I took my time to be completely healthy, ready for anything, and keeping my peace of mind because many things didn't make sense to me. I tried to understand them, reflected on certain things, but in the end, I was at peace with everything and moved on from what had happened.

Like I said, once I found that peace of mind, I felt a lot better. I was able to leave behind the things that happened."

Mental peace

"Just letting go of what happened and not trying to make sense of it. Trying to understand certain things that didn't make sense and that I was holding on to. But once I let go of everything and put it in God's hands, letting Him handle everything, everything became much better for me, and, as I said, that helped to achieve that mental peace. I am grateful to be where I am now, with the opportunity to play with the US team, and when my next opportunity comes, I will be ready."

Recent months

"The main thing has been spending time with my family. A lot of time with my daughter, rehabbing, training, strengthening, enjoying my free time. For a moment, it was frustrating not knowing the uncertainty of everything and thinking that I was working hard but the opportunities I wanted were not presenting themselves.

I found peace with all of that, and when I did, I let go of everything and freed myself, and I was able to enjoy more of myself. I didn't let things affect me like before. Now I don't worry about other things, I walk with a smile on my face because I am at peace with life in general, with whatever comes my way. I know my opportunity is still there, I know I have a lot to give, and when the time comes, I will be prepared."

People around

"Yes, there were a lot of people. My family, my friends, my mentors, many people helped me, and I am grateful to have a close circle that really supported me and pushed me. Many people propelled me, and I appreciate that circle and the love I received. They fought for me, talked to me, gave me confidence with words of affirmation and small details that matter. I thank them and praise them because without them, I wouldn't have reached this point."

Return to the NBA

"The same that I have brought to all the teams I've been on. Nothing has changed. I am someone who can provide energy on the defensive end, space the floor, move the ball, do the little things that don't show up in the statistics, and make me very effective."

Youthful rosters

"Yes and no. I believe that many of those considered veterans in the league now have nine or ten years in it. There aren't as many people who have played over 15 years, and many of them have either transitioned or are not superstars. Many have moved on to the next stage of their careers. There are still names capable of playing at a high level, but due to how the policies are, many think, 'I'm going to see what I can do outside of basketball to prepare for the rest of my life because that window is very short'."

The journey

"Consistency, work ethic, doing the little things, being a student of the game, studying the business side and the sports side, networking, being a great person overall, and being authentic. I am grateful for the people I learned from, who showed me how to handle situations, how to approach things. Everything that happened in the recent years could have discouraged me, but it didn't. I just accepted it and waited for my opportunity.

If something didn't work in my favor, it wasn't because I didn't deserve it, but because it wasn't meant for me to be in that situation. God was either protecting me from something or preparing me for the next phase. Once I stopped trying to understand why, I focused on working and didn't let the outside noise affect me."

Similarities with the beginning of his career

"Yes, it's about doing the work and letting it speak for itself. People can say things that aren't true, but I have to go out and prove them wrong.

What happened in Philadelphia last year doesn't define anything about who I am now. What happened in Los Angeles either, even though I didn't play. I remained a great teammate and did what I had to do. I stayed true to myself and, regardless of what happens, I keep working."

Team changes

"I learned that people can say one thing and do another. It's just the business side of basketball. They have to do what's best for them. My first trade was painful because I heard about it long before it happened. It affected me at first, but then I understood that it's part of the business."

Favorite coach

"Brett Brown. He made everything go beyond basketball. He taught us about life, things that helped us get through the tough 'Process' stage. I am also very grateful to Lloyd Pierce, who helped me become a First-Team All-Defensive player in 2018. Both challenged me and made me better."

Adversities

"The Clippers. Not knowing if I was going to play was the hardest. But I accepted it and waited for my opportunity. When it came, I was ready."

Championship opportunities

"Yes, definitely. The idea and image of the team were terrifying, but we never really got to implement it. It was something we all hoped for, but it never materialized."

Injuries to Paul George and Kawhi Leonard

"Definitely changed the whole team dynamic, affecting offensive load and pushing some into roles they wouldn't have been in if they were healthy."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Robert Covington, de ser pieza clave a buscar equipo en la NBA: "Soy alguien que puede hacer las pequeñas cosas y ser muy efectivo"