Rodney Purvis cut his teeth scoring buckets in the G-League. Given the chance in the NBA with the Orlando Magic, he continues to impress and grow.
Rodney Purvis is on to his next challenge. That is the grind of being on the fringes of the NBA. Everything is a grind and every day is an opportunity. Seemingly a life or death one.
Purvis had a breakout game for the Orlando Magic in their 118-98 loss to the Philadelphia 76ers on Thursday. He scored 19 points and was generally the only player that made a positive impression in an otherwise forgettable game for the team. Purvis hit jumpers around the perimeter and shot confidently, while not trying to do too much.
But Friday brings another challenge. He was officially sent down to the Lakeland Magic, where he has played most of the season, along with Khem Birch and Jamel Artis. All this in an effort to help the Lakeland Magic make the G-League Playoffs. The team controls its own destiny with just two games remaining.
The constant shuffle is part of the life of a player on the fringes. Purvis is looking to grow and get his opportunity. And each turn in what has to be a successful rookie season, it feels like Purvis has found that success.
"“It’s good just for my confidence level,” Purvis said following Thursday’s game. “But the main thing is I want to help the team. I know people say we’re not playing for anything, but we’re playing the great game of basketball. It’s probably one of the best games in the world. We have great fans. Each and every night is an opportunity to get better individually and as a teammate as well.”"
Purvis has a whole lot more to play for than many of the other players on the roster.
Being on a 10-day contract and having spent most of his season in the G-League, the NBA dream is still something he is trying to achieve. Now on his second 10-day contract — it will expire Tuesday — Purvis is fighting to make the Magic roster for the rest of the season and perhaps into next year.
Doing whatever the team asks of him and stepping up to the plate when an opportunity comes about is par for the course.
In 79 minutes across six games this year for the Magic, Purvis has scored 38 points, making 14 of 28 shots. He has hit on only 5 of his 15 3-pointers. But he has shown an ability to hit the outside shot.
More than anything, Purvis has not tried to do too much. Even in his 19-point outburst Thursday, Purvis still got the ball mostly off assists. Five of his eight field goal makes came off assists. Purvis was getting open, staying available and hitting open shots. That is more likely his role in the NBA than what he did in Lakeland.
"“He can score the basketball,” coach Frank Vogel said. “He is a confident offensive player who works hard on the defensive end. There is a reason he was called up. He has had a terrific season in the G-League. What he did tonight is not atypical of what he did down there. He’s a heck of a prospect and he has a chance to stick in this league.”"
Of course, Purvis will head back to Lakeland to help the team he has played the majority of his season with the Playoffs on the line.
With the Lakeland Magic, he leads the team in scoring with 20.5 points per game. He is shooting 42.4 percent from the floor and 39.3 percent from beyond the arc. That is all with a high usage rate and plenty of field goal attempts — 17.9 per game.
Orlando Magic
What Lakeland asks Purvis to do is very different from what Orlando asks him to do. But each game is a great opportunity. That is how a young player like Purvis has to approach it.
He embraced his opportunity with the Lakeland Magic. He became a G-League All-Star and was named to the USA Basketball team for its World Cup qualifying games in February. And he shined there to help the U.S. get two wins.
He said it has been good for his development. He has continued to work hard on his own game to improve. Every game has been an opportunity to show what he can do.
Purvis’ role with the Orlando Magic remains relatively small. But he is putting in his work and continuing to improve and impress.
"“I just want to continue to get better day by day,” Purvis said. “I know it’s a process. I just want to continue to learn from great teammates that I have and listening to the coaching staff and getting better every day.”"
That is the approach Purvis has brought to his play throughout the year. It has been a good one.
It seems everyone is happy with the skills Purvis provides and what he can do at this level. The Magic seem willing to invest in his continued growth.
He will likely spend this weekend with the Lakeland Magic to help them make the Playoffs, completing the work he put in for most of the season. After that, a contract with the Orlando Magic for the rest of the season seems likely.
From there? More opportunity. A chance at Summer League and another training camp invite to make the roster full-time next year.
Next: Frank Vogel will be Orlando Magic's first decision this summer
Opportunity is all a young player like Purvis needs to prove himself. And continually, Purvis impresses with the opportunity he is given.