Lafayette “Fat” Lever was a two-time All-PAC 10 Selection at Arizona State, and the defensively skilled Point Guard was drafted by Portland 11th Overall in 1982. Lever played for Portland for only two years before he was traded to Denver, and in Mile High he became s atarter.
Lever’s first two seasons as a Nugget saw him average 13.3 Points, 7.5 Assists and 2.4 Steals, but the four years that followed were the best of his life. In 1986-87, Lever increased his totals to 18.9 Points, 8.0 Assists and 2.5 Steals, and along with his good rebounding skills, was a constant threat to have a triple-double game. Lever was a Second Team All-NBA, and was ninth in MVP voting.and was one of the most well-rounded players in basketball. Lever remained strong in 1987-88 with his second straight 18.9 PPG and ninth-place MVP finish, with his first trip to the All-Star Game.
Lever never had MVP votes again, but he arguably had his best season in 1988-89 when he had career-highs in Points (19.8) and Rebounds (9.3) without sacrificing his anything in Steals (2.7) and Assists 6.7). He landed his second and final All-Star, and in the season after had another excellent campaign (18.3 PTS/9.3 Rebounds). The Nuggets traded Lever to the Dallas Mavericks in 1990, but his peak period was over.
Lever began succumbing to injuries, specifically his knee. He only played four Games in 1990-91, and 31 in 1991-92, but averaged only 11.2 Points per Game. Laver missed the entirety of the 1992-93 campaign, and though he played 81 Games in 1993-94, he was ineffective with 6.9 Points with 24.0 Minutes per Game. He retired after that, and had his knee not betrayed him, Lever might have had another All-Star in him.
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