From G-League to the Garden, Orlando Magic’s young players deliver

The Orlando Magic relied on their young players who spent most of their season in the G-League on Tuesday. They delivered a win at Madison Square Garden.

Rodney Purvis has probably thrown a countless number of passes to Jamel Artis this season. The two were teammates most of the season with the Lakeland Magic, playing in front of a few thousand fans in small gyms and arenas throughout the United States.

The duo had put up plenty of points this season. They had fed off each other’s play.

To go from a nondescript stadium like the RP Funding Center to Madison Square Garden? It had to feel a little different.

The result though felt the same.

Rodney Purvis pump faking past a rotating defense and driving into the lane, floating a pass to Jamel Artis in the corner. Artis rising up and firing, draining the 3-pointer. That was a tried and true combination for the Lakeland Magic in their playoff season.

The Orlando Magic had not seen that combination at work so far this year. Both players were still trying to find their way and find their fit in the league. And do it with minimal playing time.

As the Magic’s season winds down, coach Frank Vogel promised to give them more playing time. They would get their opportunity.

It just so happened it came on one of the biggest stages the league has to offer.

The Orlando Magic’s 97-73 victory over the New York Knicks largely came on the back of young players, many of them who toiled in the G-League this season. The Magic sat their veterans through the fourth quarter. Vogel was finally giving these young players a chance to shine against another team that seemed uninterested in winning.

These guys waited for an opportunity to prove themselves. And they took it.

Artis was the star for much of the night. He was not forcing his way into the paint or creating so much as taking what the defense gave him. Artis played within himself and found success.

Jamel Artis waiting in the corners as players like Rodney Purvis and Shelvin Mack worked their way into the lane. He stayed ready and delivered with his shot. Purvis led the Magic in scoring much of the night. He had a career-high 16 points on 6-for-10 shooting, draining three 3-pointers.

Artis seemed solid in every way. Playing the most minutes of his career, he took advantage. But it never felt like he was doing anything unnatural.

This was the perfect scenario for him to grow. His Lakeland teammates also were along for the ride.

Purvis struggled to shoot, making just 2 of his 11 shots. He was getting himself open and then finding other ways to keep teammates involved. When he realized his shot was not falling, he kept the ball moving.

Khem Birch was an instant impact defensively. Finally getting unleashed at center with Frank Vogel sitting Bismack Biyombo for the second half, he played the kind of defense he had earlier in the year. He changed shots at the rim, blocked shots and collected rebounds. He was around the basket at all times.

This was the Khem Birch fans were clamoring for. The one that seemingly could make an impact with his energy alone. That can cover up a lot of flaws.

Birch finished with 11 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks in 21 minutes.

What was most important form all three of these players was the energy they brought to the game. With unlimited leashes and the promise of closing the game, they played energetically on defense and impacted the game there. But they played within their roles offensively.

Vogel wants his team to focus on taking the right shots and keeping the ball moving. These guys did that. And they earned more opportunity.

Orlando was pulling away in the fourth quarter and there seemed to be no good reason to turn away from these players.

Certainly, their Orlando Magic teammates were happy to let them ride it out and get this moment in the sun. Mario Hezonja was largely the one taking the Magic to the finish line. He scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter.

But he said what he hoped to do early in the game was to make sure these players stayed involved. He remembers veterans when he was a rookie trying to keep him involved as he entered the rotation and saw his minutes increase at the end of his rookie year.

Mario Hezonja did that. He searched for Artis on several occasions and was willing to pass it to Purvis from beyond the arc. All he asked of them was to shoot it — make or miss.

That confidence proved critical late in the game. The Magic were the ones suddenly playing with confidence and pushing the game at the Knicks. These young guys had nothing to lose and everything to play for.

They finally seemed comfortable enough to go out and show it. They finally had the freedom this season to go out and do it.

It has been a long journey for those three players especially. The G-League is growing in stature, but the life there is not easy. Certainly not compared to the NBA. They all earned their opportunity.

Next: Grades: Orlando Magic 97, New York Knicks 73

And on the big stage at Madison Square Garden, the Magic’s three G-League players delivered for the team. And picked up a win.