The Warriors franchise has featured some of the greatest scorers in NBA history, from Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in Philadelphia to Steph Curry’s NBA-best 32 PPG last season for Golden State. 1 who should not be forgotten is Purvis Short, who remains the all-time leading scorer in Jackson State history with 2434 PTS and averaged 19.4 PPG during his 9 seasons in the Bay Area. HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to chat with Purvis about being a great scorer and getting drafted 1 spot ahead of Larry Bird. Today marks the 37th anniversary of Purvis’ career-high scoring game when he had 59 PTS on November 17, 1984 so we take this time to remember that remarkable achievement.
Growing up you allegedly developed a shot with a very high arc because your father would play defense against you by holding a broom up in the air: was anyone ever able to block your shot? Actually it was my high school coach (Johnny Hurtt) who helped me develop my jump shot. He was a great fundamental teacher who taught me everything about shooting. He believed that the higher the arc, the softer the shot (which would have a greater chance of going in). Early on I could not grasp the concept because I was a line-drive jump shooter. Every day after practice during my sophomore year he would have me shoot over a broomstick in order to develop an arc. I had to end every practice by making 15 shots in a row on the move from 15-20 feet. He gets a lot of the credit because he laid the foundation.
Your older brother Gene was selected 9th overall by the Knicks in the 1975 draft after an All-American career at Jackson State: who was a better player, and how much of a factor was he in your own decision to go to Jackson State? I have always said that Eugene was a much better player. He was a tremendously gifted athlete who did everything well, whereas I had to always work hard to get better. He was the reason I went to Jackson State: I always wanted to play on the same team as him.
As a senior you scored 29.5 PPG, which was #3 in the nation behind Freeman Williams/Larry Bird: what is the secret to being a great scorer? The secret to being a great scorer is having great fundamentals, great footwork, and a great work ethic.
You were a 3-time All-American: what did it mean to you to win such outstanding honors? It was really a great honor: going to a small school and being recognized as 1 of the best players in the country was tremendous: it gave hope to other kids in Mississippi.
You finished your career with 2434 PTS/969 REB: what position did you feel most comfortable at on the court, and how were you able to get so many rebounds despite being only 6’7”? My rebounding ability was average. My most comfortable position was SF: the fact that I played SG/SF during college really helped in my transition to the NBA.
In the summer of 1978 you were picked 5th overall by Golden State (1 spot ahead of Bird): did you see that as a validation of your college career or the realization of a lifelong dream of reaching the NBA? Both: it was unbelievable and a dream come true! All those years of dreaming about being an NBA player, all of the hard work and sacrifices, growing up in Mississippi, going to a small HBCU: I still have to pinch myself.
At the end of your 1st season you were named to the NBA All-Rookie team: how were you able to make such a smooth transition from college to the NBA, and what sort of expectation did that create for you heading into your 2nd year? I think what helped was going to a team where I got the opportunity to play, a great coach in Al Attles, and the chance to learn from 1 of the game’s best in Pete Newell. I started working with Pete after I got to the Warriors: he is the reason for my success/longevity. Pete is a Hall of Famer on every level and refined my offensive game with his techniques about footwork.
Despite being known primarily as a scorer, in 1981 you held Bird to 0 PTS in 37 minutes (the 1st time he went scoreless in his college/pro career): how on earth were you able to keep him from scoring? I have no idea: perhaps the stars were aligned or maybe he was sick that night! I do not think it was my defense: my best defense was my offense.
On November 17, 1984, you scored a career-high 59 PTS in a game against New Jersey: was it just 1 of those scenarios where every shot you put up seemed to go in because you were “in the zone”? It was that rare moment that all athletes strive for: that mental place where you are in control of everything. Everything slows down, the basket seems twice the size, and you just know that every shot you take is going to go in. I still remember that game as if it was yesterday.
In 1985 you scored 28 PPG, which was #4 in the league behind Bernard King/Bird/Michael Jordan: did you feel like you were 1 of the best players in the league, and who was the best defender you ever faced? All of the hard work was paying off and I did feel like I was 1 of the best offensive players in the league. The best defender I ever faced was Michael Cooper.
In 1987 your team lost to the eventual champion Lakers in the Western Conference Finals: what is the biggest difference between the regular season and the playoffs, and where does that Lakers team rank among the best you have ever seen? The playoffs are totally different from the regular season. It is like night and day: everything is tougher, every play is important, and the intensity is off the chart. That Lakers’ team was tremendous so I think they were 1 of the best. Magic Johnson/Kareem Abdul-Jabbar/James Worthy/Byron Scott/Cooper: it does not get any better than that!
You averaged 17.3 PPG during your 12-year career but some people refer to you as “the best player in NBA history not to make an All-Star team”: how satisfied are you with your career, and how on earth did you not make an All-Star team? I am very satisfied with my career. Every time I stepped onto the court I gave my all and tried to put on a good show for the people who paid their hard-earned money to come watch us. As far as the All-Star team I have no regrets: I gave my best effort and controlled the things I could. It just did not work out but I still had 12 of the greatest years of my life.
In 1990 you took a year off and left the NBA: why did you decide to step away from the game, and what did you do during that year? Basketball had taken its toll and my skills were starting to erode so I had no contract offers. I tried to get a job but there were just no takers.
In 1991 you decided to play in Israel, where you reached the finals of the playoffs before losing the decisive Game 5 to your arch rival Maccabi Tel Aviv: how close did you come to winning the title, and what was the biggest difference between the NBA and Israeli basketball? Israel was a great experience: we came within a couple of plays of winning the title. Maccabi had a great team featuring Mike Mitchell and some other good players. The biggest difference between the NBA and Israeli basketball is that in the NBA you face the greatest players on earth each and every night.
You later served as director of the National Basketball Players Association’s Player Services Department: what did you do as director, and what kind of services did your organization provide? Programs were designed/developed to assist players with the many new and transitional aspects of NBA life. Through the use of varied innovative/interactive programs, our department provides players with the necessary education/tools/support/guidance for entry and longevity in the NBA, as well as helping them develop and explore their off-court interests. These individual adjustments/challenges are different for each player. Programs have been tailored to meet the individual and group needs of our membership. The National Basketball Players Association (through its Player Program Department) provides education/support on issues including (but not limited to) Financial Education, Substance Abuse/Mental Health Issues, Health Education, and Career Development. The Players Association cares about the health/well-being of its players and recognizes that a variety of issues or personal problems can disrupt their personal/work lives.