Stories about the NBA being a brutal league with little to no care about an individual's feelings or personal situation have been well documented over the course of the years.
Guys getting traded without warning and players finding out they got moved through social media all play into the bigger narrative of the Association operating with a ruthless business-first mentality.
However, the story of Robert Covington hits on a completely different level. It is also a testament to just how ugly things behind the scenes can get, even though they don't get the attention from the media and the fans.
Covington has been a reliable journeyman through most of his 11 years in the league, but his final stint with the Philadelphia 76ers carried a different weight to it.
"I had an incident in Philadelphia where I lost my starting position in the playoffs to our point guard TJ McConnell because I was dealing with something off the court… And nobody knew," Covington revealed in his appearance on "Run Tour Race" podcast.
Losing a starting position is not uncommon in a dynamic environment filled with players hungry to prove themselves. However, for RoCo, it hurt a little bit differently. Not because he felt washed or unable to do the job anymore, but because of what was happening behind the scenes. The things nobody could actually see.
For a long time in the league, Covington was the definition of a classic 3-and-D wing every team would love to have on its roster. He never needed the ball much, but he brought versatility and defensive toughness everywhere he went, from the early days with the Houston Rockets to the Los Angeles Clippers and eventually back to Philly.
However, all of that changed once injuries started piling up. Health and off-the-court issues led to a situation where, according to the 6-foot-7 forward, somebody from the organization gave him an ultimatum, and one that hit exactly where it hurts the most.
"That was a situation that happened where and like I said, slowly but surely it's stuff that's going to come out. I had a person sit up here and basically tell me I had to pick my daughter or basketball," he continued.
Even though he did not go into too many details, Covington said enough. Choosing between the game he dedicated his entire life to, the same game that provided money on the table, and the love for his daughter was something nothing could prepare him for. But unfortunately, it happened, which only made him more aware of the whole situation about how the league functions.
Covington also hinted that he is likely retiring for good, happy with what he accomplished and content with what truly matters in life. After dealing with multiple persistent left knee injuries, RoCo played his last NBA game on December 3, 2023. However, he doubled down that a lot of it had to do with the political side of the NBA, many fans never get to see, not just the injury bug.
"I've just been out for two years. Everybody labeled me as, 'Oh, he's been hurt X, Y, and Z.' Bro, I have not been hurt. 'Cuz if I was hurt, I wouldn't have played for Team USA in November of 2024," RoCo added. "It's the political side. So there's stuff that's going on behind the doors that just like I said, it's part of the controlling what you can control."
Covington, it seems, is finally at peace with everything that transpired. Now well into his 30s, 35 to be exact, the longtime veteran appears ready to shift his focus toward taking care of the people closest to him.
Basketball was something he loved, but the way he spoke about it made it sound like there are simply bigger priorities now. And that bigger priority is family.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on May 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Off The Court section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
