Purvis Short

Last updated

Purvis Short
Personal information
Born (1957-07-02) July 2, 1957 (age 67)
Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school Blair (Hattiesburg, Mississippi)
College Jackson State (1974–1978)
NBA draft 1978: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Selected by the Golden State Warriors
Playing career1978–1992
Position Small forward
Number45, 10
Career history
1978–1987 Golden State Warriors
1987–1989 Houston Rockets
1989–1990 New Jersey Nets
1991–1992 Hapoel Tel Aviv
Career highlights and awards
Career NBA statistics
Points 14,607 (17.3 ppg)
Rebounds 3,625 (4.3 rpg)
Assists 2,123 (2.5 apg)
Stats   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Purvis Short (born July 2, 1957) is a retired American professional basketball player who played with the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and New Jersey Nets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1978 to 1990. A 6'7" small forward, Short averaged 17.3 points per game over his twelve-season career in the NBA. He is currently the Warriors ninth all-time leading scorer. [1] [2]

Contents

After a brilliant career at Jackson State, Short was selected fifth overall in the 1978 NBA draft. Short was affectionately nicknamed "Rainbowman" because of the distinctive rainbow-like high arc of his jump shots, something he stated he obtained in high school. He was a role player and sixth man his first few years in the league. [1] [3] Short was a starter by the 1984–85 season, and scored a career high 59 points in a game against the New Jersey Nets in 1984. After leaving the NBA, he played one year of basketball in Israel, and is currently the director of the NBA Players Association's Department of Player Programs.

College career

Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Purvis is the younger brother of Gene Short, who played one season in the league with the New York Knicks. [4] Purvis attended Blair Center Hattiesburg High School, where he led his team to the state championship title in 1974. He was allegedly recruited by 150 colleges upon graduation. [5] He followed in his brother's footsteps at Jackson State University, where he became the school's all-time leading scorer. [6] He was the NCAA's second leading scorer in 1978, averaged 8.9 rebounds per game, and was named SWAC Player of the Year in 1977 and 1978. [5] [7]

Professional career

Short was drafted with the fifth overall pick of the 1978 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors who passed up drafting Larry Bird, who was drafted sixth. In his rookie season, Short scored 795 points for a 10.6 points per game average. The next year, Short had a 17.0 point per game average, with a career high .500 field goal percentage in 62 games. The Warriors traded for Bernard King prior to the 1980–81 season, moving Short to a reserve role. That year he played in 79 games, where he had 391 rebounds, a career high 249 assists, and a 16.1 points per game average. [1] The next few seasons he was the Warriors sixth man, playing behind Joe Barry Carroll, until gaining the starting job prior to the 1984–85 season. [8]

Short started working out with Pete Newell during the off-seasons, which Short later claimed help improve his shooting skills significantly. [1] During a November 17, 1984 game against the New Jersey Nets, Short scored a career high 59 points during a 131-114 loss. He hit 20 of 28 field goal attempts and 15 free throws. [8] At the time, only nine other players had scored more points in one game, and it was the most points scored in the NBA since David Thompson and George Gervin scored 73 and 63 points respectively on April 9, 1978. [8] [9] Excluding Wilt Chamberlain's many games of 60 or over points as a Warrior, it was also the third highest total in franchise history, behind Joe Fulks' 63 points in 1949 and Rick Barry's 64 points in 1974. [10] He also scored 57 points against the San Antonio Spurs and 46 against the Washington Bullets that season. [10] Short finished the 1984–85 season with an average of 28.0 points per game, and was the NBA's fourth leading scorer. During the off-season, Short got involved in a contract dispute and held out for four weeks, but the Warriors managed to come to a contract agreement with him. [11] He ended up with a 25.5 points per game average in 64 games in 1985–86, finishing fifth in the league in scoring. [1] Short missed two months early in the 1986–87 season due to knee surgery. [12] He missed further time with a pulled thigh muscle in March. [13] Golden State reached the playoffs, an achievement Short later recalled as "the best time" in his Warriors career. [3] He ended up appearing in 34 games that year, with an 18.3 points per game average.

He was traded to the Houston Rockets for Dave Feitl and a future first-round pick prior to the 1987–88 campaign. [14] At the time of the trade, Short averaged 19.4 points per game in nine seasons with the Warriors and was sixth on the all-time scoring list while second in steals. [14] He averaged 14.3 points per games in 81 games played that year, with 222 rebounds and 162 assists. The next season, Short had a career low 7.4 points per game in 65 games, 16 of them starts. Prior to the start of the 1989–90 season, Short signed as a free agent with the New Jersey Nets, where he played in all 82 games, starting 28 of them. [3] He scored 29 points in a 109-101 win against the Charlotte Hornets on January 11. [15] He could not come to an agreement with the Nets over the term of his contract and retired at season's end. [3]

After leaving the NBA in 1990, Short took a year off basketball. In early 1991 he returned to play, this time in Israel for Hapoel Tel Aviv. Short led the team to a successful season that ended in a 3-2 loss to archrivals Maccabi Tel Aviv during the playoffs. [9] He retired at the end of the season, in 1992. [3]

After basketball

Short took a job with the NBA Players Association's Department of Player Programs, where he was later named director of the program in 1999. [3] He was previously the NBA' Player's Union vice president from 1987–1990. [9] He was inducted to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame in 1999. [7] He currently lives in Houston. [9]

NBA career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

Regular season

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1978–79 Golden State 75–22.7.479–.6714.61.30.70.210.6
1979–80 Golden State 62–26.4.503.000.8125.12.01.00.117.0
1980–81 Golden State 79–29.2.475.176.8204.93.21.00.216.1
1981–82 Golden State 76823.4.488.214.8013.52.80.90.114.4
1982–83 Golden State 675735.8.487.267.8285.33.41.40.221.4
1983–84 Golden State 797637.3.473.306.7935.53.11.30.122.8
1984–85 Golden State 787739.5.460.313.8175.13.01.50.328.0
1985–86 Golden State 646337.9.482.306.8655.13.71.40.325.5
1986–87 Golden State 341527.9.479.235.8564.02.51.30.218.3
1987–88 Houston 811124.1.481.238.8582.72.00.70.214.3
1988–89 Houston 651617.8.413.273.8652.81.60.70.27.4
1989–90 New Jersey 822427.0.455.286.8353.01.80.80.213.1
Career84234729.2.474.282.8244.32.51.00.217.3

Playoffs

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1987 Golden State 10225.3.463.000.8893.32.71.20.214.6
1988 Houston 4017.8.269.0001.0002.30.30.30.05.5
1989 Houston 409.3.381.000.6002.30.30.00.04.8
Career18220.1.424.000.8782.81.60.70.110.4

European leagues

SeasonTeamLeagueGPMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
1991-92 H.Tel Aviv Israel 15 ?.557.263.8444.64 ? ?24.4

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rick Barry</span> American former basketball player (born 1944)

Richard Francis Dennis Barry III is an American retired professional basketball player who starred at the NCAA, American Basketball Association (ABA) and National Basketball Association (NBA) levels. Barry ranks among the most prolific scorers and all-around players in basketball history. He is the only one to lead the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), ABA, and NBA in points per game in a season. He ranks as the all-time ABA scoring leader in regular season and postseason (33.5) play, while his 36.3 points per game are the most in the NBA Finals history. Barry was also the only player to score at least 50 points in a Game 7 of the playoffs in either league until Stephen Curry and Jayson Tatum both reached that mark in 2023. He is one of only four players to be a part of a championship team in both leagues.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richard Jefferson</span> American basketball player (born 1980)

Richard Allen Jefferson Jr. is an American former professional basketball player who played small forward. He played for eight teams in his 17-season career in the National Basketball Association (NBA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gail Goodrich</span> American basketball player (born 1943)

Gail Charles Goodrich Jr. is an American former professional basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is best known for scoring a then record 42 points for UCLA in the 1965 NCAA championship game vs. Michigan, and his part in the Los Angeles Lakers' 1971–72 season. During that season the team won a still-record 33 consecutive games, posted what was at the time the best regular season record in NBA history, and also won the franchise's first NBA championship since relocating to Los Angeles. Goodrich was the leading scorer on that team. He is also acclaimed for leading UCLA to its first two national championships under the legendary coach John Wooden, the first in 1963–64 being a perfect 30–0 season when he played with teammate Walt Hazzard. In 1996, 17 years after his retirement from professional basketball, Goodrich was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Goodrich is the leader in most minutes played in Suns franchise history with 39.9.

Chris Raymond Gatling is an American former professional basketball player. Gatling played for many National Basketball Association (NBA) teams from 1991 to 2002. He played for the US national team in the 1990 FIBA World Championship, winning the bronze medal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernard King</span> American basketball player (born 1956)

Bernard King is an American former professional basketball player at the small forward position in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played 14 seasons with the New Jersey Nets, Utah Jazz, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, and Washington Bullets. King is a four-time NBA All-Star, four-time All-NBA selection and led the NBA in scoring in the 1984–85 season. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on September 8, 2013. His younger brother, Albert, also played in the NBA during his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Scalabrine</span> American basketball player (born 1978)

Brian David Scalabrine, nicknamed the "White Mamba", is an American former professional basketball player who is currently a television analyst for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is also the co-host of "The Starting Lineup", which airs weekdays from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. ET on SiriusXM NBA Radio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Monta Ellis</span> American basketball player (born 1985)

Monta Ellis is an American former professional basketball player. Ellis attended Lanier High School in Jackson, Mississippi, where he was a McDonald's All-American and first-team Parade All-American. He entered the NBA directly out of high school, being drafted with the 40th overall pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2005 NBA draft. In 2007, he was named the NBA Most Improved Player. During his time with the Warriors, Ellis was one of the best scorers in the league, averaging close to 25 points per game on two occasions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidney Moncrief</span> American basketball player-coach

Sidney Alvin Moncrief is an American former professional basketball player. As an NCAA college basketball player from 1975 to 1979, Moncrief played for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks, leading them to the 1978 Final Four and a win in the NCAA Consolation Game versus #6 Notre Dame. Nicknamed Sid the Squid, Sir Sid, and El Sid, Moncrief went on to play 11 seasons in the National Basketball Association, including ten seasons with the Milwaukee Bucks. He was a five-time NBA All-Star and won the first two NBA Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1983 and 1984. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reggie Theus</span> American basketball player and coach (born 1957)

Reginald Wayne Theus is an American basketball coach and former player. He played 13 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), where he was a two-time NBA All-Star. He is currently the men's basketball head coach and athletic director at Bethune–Cookman. He was the head coach for the NBA's Sacramento Kings and in college with the New Mexico State Aggies and the Cal State Northridge Matadors men's teams. He was also an assistant coach for the Louisville Cardinals under Rick Pitino.

Eric Augustus "Sleepy" Floyd is an American former professional basketball player. An NBA All-Star in 1987 as a Warrior, he is perhaps best known for his tenures for Golden State and Houston.

Muhsin Kenon, is an American former professional basketball player, known in his playing career as Larry Kenon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otis Birdsong</span> American basketball player

Otis Lee Birdsong is an American former professional basketball player. He spent twelve seasons (1977–1989) in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and appeared in four NBA All-Star Games.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Durant</span> American basketball player (born 1988)

Kevin Wayne Durant, also known by his initials KD, is an American professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Widely regarded as one of the greatest players in NBA history, Durant has won two NBA championships, an NBA Most Valuable Player Award, two Finals MVP Awards, two NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Awards, four NBA scoring titles, the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, been named to 11 All-NBA teams, and selected 14 times as an NBA All-Star. In 2021, Durant was named to the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. As a member of the U.S. men's national team, Durant has won three gold medals in the Olympics and is the leading scorer in Team USA's men's Olympic basketball history. He also won gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DeAndre Jordan</span> American basketball player (born 1988)

Hyland DeAndre Jordan Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played one season of college basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C. J. Watson</span> American basketball player (born 1984)

Charles "C. J." Akeem Watson Jr. is an American former professional basketball player. He played college basketball for the University of Tennessee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oscar Schmidt</span> Brazilian basketball player (born 1958)

Oscar Daniel Bezerra Schmidt, nicknamed Mão Santa, is a Brazilian retired professional basketball player. Schmidt primarily played the power forward and small forward position, was 2.06 m tall and weighed 109 kg (240 lbs). Along with his home country, Schmidt also played in Italy for JuveCaserta and Pavia, and Spain for Fórum Valladolid. He was born in Natal, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil.

Robert L. "Bubbles" Hawkins was an American professional basketball player. He was drafted 51st overall in the 1975 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors. Hawkins played for four teams during four seasons in the National Basketball Association, averaging 12.7 points per game, 1.5 assists per game and 2.3 rebounds per game.

Perry Victor Moss is an American former National Basketball Association (NBA) basketball player.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Otto Porter Jr.</span> American basketball player (born 1993)

Otto Porter Jr. is an American former professional basketball player. He played eleven seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), and he won an NBA championship when he played for the Golden State Warriors in 2022. He played college basketball for the Georgetown Hoyas and was selected with the third overall pick in the 2013 NBA draft by the Washington Wizards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Quinndary Weatherspoon</span> American basketball player (born 1996)

Quinndary Vonta Weatherspoon is an American professional basketball player for the Zhejiang Lions of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played four seasons of college basketball for the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Weatherspoon was selected 49th overall by the San Antonio Spurs in the 2019 NBA draft. After two seasons with the team, he joined the Warriors in 2021. During his first season with the Warriors, he won an NBA championship.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Catching Up with Purvis Short". Warriors.com. National Basketball Association . Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Golden State Warriors Career Leaders". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Thompson II, Marcus. "Trademark jumper was pure Short". The Contra Costa Times. December 10, 2006. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Senate Concurrent Resolution 585". State of Mississippi. 2000. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  5. 1 2 "When It Comes To Scoring, Purvis Short Stands Tall". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. January 28, 1978. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Hunter's Road to Professional Success Began at Jackson State". Jackson Advocate. January 24, 2013. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  7. 1 2 "Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame – Pervis Short". Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  8. 1 2 3 Barnard, William R. (November 27, 1984). "Pervis Short Well-Kept Secret". Beaver County Times. Associated Press. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Caldwell, Stan (January 2, 2011). "Whatever happened to former Hattiesburg basketball star Purvis Short?". Hattiesburg American. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  10. 1 2 "Warriors' 50-Point Scorers". Oakland Tribune. February 27, 2013. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Purvis Short Also Reaches Agreement". The Lewiston Daily Sun. Associated Press. November 7, 1985. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  12. ↑ Ryan, Bob (February 12, 1987). "Celtics' Bench Picture Bright For Vincent, Kite". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  13. ↑ "For The Record". The Washington Post. March 27, 1987. Archived from the original on June 11, 2014. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  14. 1 2 "Rockets Obtain Short For Outside Shooting". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press. November 6, 1987. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Nets Hand Hornets Another Road Loss". The Dispatch. Associated Press. January 12, 1990. p. 5. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.