Fat Lever Signed Denver Nuggets Jersey

Lafayette "Fat" Lever entered the NBA as a first-round pick by the Portland Trail Blazers in 1982, quickly establishing himself as one of the league's most complete and versatile guards. His career took flight when he joined the Denver Nuggets in 1984, where he became the centerpiece of high-scoring, up-tempo teams and established himself as one of the most well-rounded players in basketball.

Lever's time in Denver showcased his unique ability to fill every statistical category, regularly posting triple-doubles and leading the team in multiple categories simultaneously. His career concluded with a brief stint in Dallas before injuries forced his retirement, but his peak years in Denver established him as one of the most underrated and statistically productive guards of the 1980s.

2× NBA All-Star (1988, 1990)

2× All-NBA Second Team (1987, 1988)

Career averages: 13.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 6.0 APG, 2.3 SPG

One of few guards to average 6+ rebounds and 6+ assists for a career

43 career triple-doubles

Led the NBA in steals per game (1988)

Over 11,000 career points

Dallas Mavericks (1990-1994)
Denver Nuggets (1984-1990)
Portland Trail Blazers (1982-1984)
Arizona State Sun Devils (1979-1982)

Fat Lever revolutionized the concept of the all-around guard, demonstrating that point guards could dominate games through rebounds, steals, and assists just as effectively as through scoring. His ability to consistently contribute across all statistical categories made him one of the most complete players of the 1980s and a pioneer of the triple-double threat guard that has become increasingly valued in modern basketball.

Lever's impact extends beyond his impressive statistics to his role as one of the most underappreciated stars of his era, overshadowed by playing in Denver's high-altitude market during the peak of the Lakers-Celtics rivalry. His relentless motor, basketball intelligence, and ability to impact winning in multiple ways established a blueprint for versatile guards and proved that elite rebounding and defensive skills could coexist with exceptional playmaking at the guard position.