CHICAGO – There are plenty of former Bulls who were making a homecoming with the Timberwolves on Wednesday at United Center. Luol Deng, Taj Gibson, Derrick Rose and coach Tom Thibodeau all were a part of the Bulls at the same time earlier this decade.
But there is another member of the Wolves with Chicago ties who got to spend some time with family and friends over the holidays — forward Robert Covington.
"It's always amazing, coming home and playing in the gym that I've watched so much history to be a part of," said Covington, who went to high school at Proviso West in suburban Hillside, Ill. "I've been thankful for that, and I've always played with an edge when I come here because it's home."
Growing up in Chicago, Covington attended games at United Center during the Bulls dynasty, with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen winning the last three of their six NBA championships there.
"As his career went on, that's when I realized who I really liked and it was Scottie Pippen, since I was young," Covington said.
Pippen is one of the reasons Covington wears No. 33 and Pippen is one of the players Covington tries to imitate on the floor. Like Pippen, Covington is a taller wing at 6-foot 9 (Pippen is 6-foot-8) with defense as his calling card in the league.
Covington said he left for home right after Monday's practice so he could spend Christmas Eve and Christmas with his family, the first time he was able to do so since college.
"We sat back, ate, played games and everything, just had a good time," Covington said. "[We ate] a little bit of everything — some dressing, macaroni, spaghetti, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, cake. I've went full throttle with stuff — two plates at a time."
