ESPN's Mark Stein reported on Monday that this week the Sixers were likely to sign last years D-League rookie of the year, undrafted 6'9" swing man Robert Covington. And so it was today the the Sixers cut Chris Johnson to make room for signing Convington, who was drafted first overall in the D-League draft this year by the Grand Rapids Drive. Covington was second in the D-League in scoring last year with the Death Valley Vipers club at 23.2 ppg.
Chris Johnson had played in all 9 games for the 76ers this year, starting the first 2 of the season. He was brought in this year to provide some floor spacing, having shot almost 34% from dowtown last year in 40 games with the Celtics. Well, Johnson was abysmal for the Sixers, averaging 6ppg in 20 minutes, shooting 32% from the floor and 25% from downtown. When you are brought in to be a shooter, and then shoot numbers like that, you get cut for D-League MVPs. Happy trails Chris Johnson.
This serves as an interesting reminder that, for many on the Sixers squad, they are playing nightly for their NBA lives. Given the recent debate surrounding McDubs opinion piece about tanking and playing hard, it's this type of reality that probably is driving guys like Brandon Davies to play with extreme hustle despite being on such a hopeless team. Most rosters are solidified before the season starts, but the Sixers roster is a living, breathing animal that will grow and change throughout the season. Other than a few of the main pieces, most guys are not on guaranteed contracts and really have to show something to stay on the team. These types of moves serve as notice (ahem JaKarr Sampson) that you if you are not actively producing, there is a line of 200 guys behind you who are willing to give it a shot.
