Lafayette Lever
Encyclopedia
Lafayette "Fat" Lever is a retired American
professional basketball
player in the NBA
. He is currently the director of player development for the Sacramento Kings
.
Lever was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
as the 11th pick in the 1982 NBA Draft
out of Arizona State
. While at ASU, his guard-tandem teammate was Byron Scott
who left school early (1983) to sign with the San Diego Clippers. He was considered one of the NBA's best point guard
s in the late 1980s while playing for the Denver Nuggets
. Despite his size (6 feet 3 inches) he regularly led the Nuggets in rebounding
. In 1987-88
, he produced a memorable performance against the Chicago Bulls
, with 31 points, 12 assists, 16 rebounds and 6 steals.
Lever was traded by the Nuggets to the Dallas Mavericks
in 1990 for the Mavs' #9 pick in the 1990 NBA Draft
plus Dallas' first-round pick in the following one
. The Nuggets subsequently traded the #9 pick and their own #15 pick to the Miami Heat
for the Heat's #3 pick in the 1990 Draft, with Denver sending the Mavs' 1991 first rounder (which was originally the Detroit Pistons
' pick they acquired in the Mark Aguirre
/Adrian Dantley
trade) to the Washington Bullets
along with Michael Adams
, for the Bullets' first round pick in the 1991 Draft.
Lever sat out the entire 1992-93 season
due to knee injury. He finished his career with the Mavericks in 1994 with career averages of 13.9 points, six rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.22 steals per game. He is the Nuggets' all-time franchise leader in steals and was 2nd in career assists. He is one of only three players in NBA history to record 15 plus points, rebounds and assists in a single playoff
game (the others being Jason Kidd
and Wilt Chamberlain
). Among Lever's career achievements were making two NBA All-Star
teams, an All-NBA Second Team in 1987, and an All-Defensive Second Team in 1988.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player in the NBA
National Basketball Association
The National Basketball Association is the pre-eminent men's professional basketball league in North America. It consists of thirty franchised member clubs, of which twenty-nine are located in the United States and one in Canada...
. He is currently the director of player development for the Sacramento Kings
Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings are a professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California, United States. They are currently members of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association...
.
Lever was selected by the Portland Trail Blazers
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers, commonly known as the Blazers, are an American professional basketball team based in Portland, Oregon. They play in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association . The Trail Blazers originally played their home games in the...
as the 11th pick in the 1982 NBA Draft
1982 NBA Draft
The 1982 NBA Draft took place on June 29, 1982 at the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York.-Key:-Draft:-Other picks:-External links:**...
out of Arizona State
Arizona State University
Arizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona...
. While at ASU, his guard-tandem teammate was Byron Scott
Byron Scott
Byron Scott is the name of:*Byron Scott , American television reporter*Byron Scott , American basketball player and current head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers...
who left school early (1983) to sign with the San Diego Clippers. He was considered one of the NBA's best point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
s in the late 1980s while playing for the Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
. Despite his size (6 feet 3 inches) he regularly led the Nuggets in rebounding
Rebound (basketball)
A rebound in basketball is the act of successfully gaining possession of the basketball after a missed field goal or free throw. Rebounds in basketball are a routine part in the game, as all possessions change after a shot is successfully made...
. In 1987-88
1987-88 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-NBA awards:*Most Valuable Player: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls*Rookie of the Year: Mark Jackson, New York Knicks*Defensive Player of the Year: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls...
, he produced a memorable performance against the Chicago Bulls
Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls are an American professional basketball team based in Chicago, Illinois, playing in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference in the National Basketball Association . The team was founded in 1966. They play their home games at the United Center...
, with 31 points, 12 assists, 16 rebounds and 6 steals.
Lever was traded by the Nuggets to the Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks
The Dallas Mavericks are a professional basketball team based in Dallas, Texas. They are members of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Basketball Association , and the reigning NBA champions, having defeated the Miami Heat in the 2011 NBA Finals.According to a 2011...
in 1990 for the Mavs' #9 pick in the 1990 NBA Draft
1990 NBA Draft
The 1990 NBA Draft took place on June 27, 1990, in New York City, New York. This draft produced only one perennial All-Star,Gary Payton. Among the 54 picks, Payton is considered by far the best pick of the draft. Payton went on to be considered one of the greatest point guards of all time...
plus Dallas' first-round pick in the following one
1991 NBA Draft
The 1991 NBA Draft took place on June 26, 1991 in New York City, New York. Dikembe Mutombo is regarded as the best overall pick in this draft, becoming one of the greatest defensive centers in the history of the league. He was a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year award winner and an eight...
. The Nuggets subsequently traded the #9 pick and their own #15 pick to the Miami Heat
Miami Heat
The Miami Heat is a professional basketball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. The team is a member of the Southeast Division in the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association . They play their home games at American Airlines Arena in Downtown Miami...
for the Heat's #3 pick in the 1990 Draft, with Denver sending the Mavs' 1991 first rounder (which was originally the Detroit Pistons
Detroit Pistons
The Detroit Pistons are a franchise of the National Basketball Association based in Auburn Hills, Michigan. The team's home arena is The Palace of Auburn Hills. It was originally founded in Fort Wayne, Indiana as the Fort Wayne Pistons as a member of the National Basketball League in 1941, where...
' pick they acquired in the Mark Aguirre
Mark Aguirre
Mark Anthony Aguirre is a retired American basketball player in the National Basketball Association. Aguirre played from 1981–1994 and won two championships with the Detroit Pistons after being sent to Detroit from the Dallas Mavericks in exchange for Adrian Dantley...
/Adrian Dantley
Adrian Dantley
Adrian Delano Dantley is a retired American basketball player who played 15 seasons in the NBA, including seven as a member of the Utah Jazz. A forward/guard and six-time NBA All-Star, he was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008...
trade) to the Washington Bullets
Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a professional basketball team based in Washington, D.C., previously known as Washington Bullets. They play in the National Basketball Association .-Early years:...
along with Michael Adams
Michael Adams (basketball)
Michael Adams is a former NBA player and basketball coach.After starring at Boston College, the 5'10" point guard was selected by the Sacramento Kings in the 3rd round with the 66th pick of the 1985 NBA Draft...
, for the Bullets' first round pick in the 1991 Draft.
Lever sat out the entire 1992-93 season
1992-93 NBA season
-Statistics leaders:-Yearly awards:*Most Valuable Player: Charles Barkley, Phoenix Suns*Rookie of the Year: Shaquille O'Neal, Orlando Magic*Defensive Player of the Year: Hakeem Olajuwon, Houston Rockets...
due to knee injury. He finished his career with the Mavericks in 1994 with career averages of 13.9 points, six rebounds, 6.2 assists and 2.22 steals per game. He is the Nuggets' all-time franchise leader in steals and was 2nd in career assists. He is one of only three players in NBA history to record 15 plus points, rebounds and assists in a single playoff
NBA Playoffs
The National Basketball Association Playoffs is a best-of-seven elimination tournament among sixteen teams in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference , ultimately deciding the final four teams who will play in the NBA Conference Finals.-Format:Following the NBA regular season, eight teams in...
game (the others being Jason Kidd
Jason Kidd
Jason Frederick Kidd is an American professional basketball point guard who plays for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association. Raised in Oakland, California, Kidd played college basketball at the University of California, Berkeley and was drafted second overall by the Dallas...
and Wilt Chamberlain
Wilt Chamberlain
Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American professional NBA basketball player for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors, the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers; he also played for the Harlem Globetrotters prior to playing in the NBA...
). Among Lever's career achievements were making two NBA All-Star
National Basketball Association All-Star Game
The National Basketball Association staged its first All-Star Game in the Boston Garden on March 2, 1951. From that year on, the game has matched the best players in the Eastern Conference with the best players in the Western Conference....
teams, an All-NBA Second Team in 1987, and an All-Defensive Second Team in 1988.
Career stats
| Season | Team | GP | MPG | RPG | APG | PPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982-83 | Trail Blazers | 81 | 24.9 | 2.8 | 5.3 | 7.8 |
| 1983-84 | Trail Blazers | 81 | 24.8 | 2.7 | 4.6 | 9.7 |
| 1984-85 | Nuggets | 82 | 31.2 | 5.0 | 7.5 | 12.8 |
| 1985-86 | Nuggets | 78 | 33.5 | 5.4 | 7.5 | 13.8 |
| 1986-87 | Nuggets | 82 | 37.2 | 8.9 | 8.0 | 18.9 |
| 1987-88 | Nuggets | 82 | 37.3 | 8.1 | 7.8 | 18.9 |
| 1988-89 | Nuggets | 71 | 38.7 | 9.3 | 7.9 | 19.8 |
| 1989-90 | Nuggets | 79 | 35.8 | 9.3 | 6.5 | 18.3 |
| 1990-91 | Mavericks | 4 | 21.5 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 7.3 |
| 1991-92 | Mavericks | 31 | 28.5 | 5.2 | 3.5 | 11.2 |
| 1993-94 | Mavericks | 81 | 24.0 | 3.5 | 2.6 | 6.9 |
| Career | 11 Seasons | 752 | 31.7 | 6.2 | 6.0 | 13.9 |
See also
- List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders
- List of National Basketball Association players with most assists in a game
- List of National Basketball Association players with 9 or more steals in a game
External links
- College & NBA stats @ Basketball-Reference.com