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Philadelphia 76ers: Covington, Embiid named to NBA All-Defensive Teams

By Simon Smith

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 15: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers high fives Joel Embiid #21 against the Toronto Raptors at the Wells Fargo Center on January 15, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 15: Robert Covington #33 of the Philadelphia 76ers high fives Joel Embiid #21 against the Toronto Raptors at the Wells Fargo Center on January 15, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Robert Covington and Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers were duly recognized with their selections to the NBA All-Defensive Teams.

Following a year in which they ranked third in the league with a defensive rating of 102.0, the Philadelphia 76ers defense was recognized with the selection of two elite contributors to the NBA All-Defensive Teams.

Forward Robert Covington earned a selection to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, while center Joel Embiid was rewarded with a selection to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team.

In his fifth season in the league, Covington was duly recognized following several seasons as one of the most versatile and destructive perimeter defenders in the league. For the season, Covington  ranked 12th in the league in steals at 1.7 per game, and along with rookie teammate Ben Simmons, was one of just two players in the league to compile at least 135 steals and 70 blocks.

Furthermore, Covington led the league with 3.9 deflections per game, making it back-to-back seasons in which he has accomplished this feat.

In addition, among all forwards who averaged at least 30 minutes per game, Covington ranked first with a 99.0 defensive rating. Overall, Covington had 22 games in which he snared three or more steals, including a season-high seven steals in a win over the Charlotte Hornets. In fact, the Sixers were 8.4 points per 100 possessions better off defensively when Covington was on the floor.

Following the Sixers’ Game 1 victory in their series against the Miami Heat, head coach Brett Brown singled out Covington’s defense despite the team putting up 130 points on the night:

"“I thought he was unbelievable. I thought he was a man. He is deceptively strong, and he’s so versatile a defensive player. He can sit down and guard Dragic or can go over and he may get caught on Olynyk, and he can guard that, too. He’s such a wonderful story for us because he is a poster child for development.”"

For his part, Embiid enjoyed by far his most productive season since being selected No. 3 overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. After just 31 games in his first three seasons, Embiid played 63 games, and once again demonstrated his unique abilities at the defensive end of the floor.

Overall, Embiid ranked sixth in the league with 1.8 blocks per game, while finishing ninth in rebounding at 11.0 per game. In all, Embiid had 17 games in which he blocked three or more shots, including a career-high seven blocks in an epic early season performance against the Los Angeles Lakers that also saw him grab 15 rebounds.

Furthermore, among all centers who averaged at least 30 minutes per game, Embiid ranked second with a 99.7 defensive rating.

While he missed 19 games over the course of the season, Embiid nonetheless was an enormous reason the Sixers ranked fourth overall in allowing opponents to shoot just 36.3 percent in the non-restricted area in the paint, and third in allowing just 24.6 shot attempts per game in the restricted area.

When on the court as a duo, Covington and Embiid posted an incredible defensive rating of 97.5, which ranked fifth in the league among all two-man lineups. In addition to their worthy selections, Sixers’ rookie Ben Simmons also received due recognition, receiving 16 total votes, including five First Team votes.

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With Covington possessing an incredible 7’2″ wingspan, and Embiid’s intimidating presence down low a nightmare to contend with, the Sixers are more than poised to remain one of the elite defensive units in the league for years to come.