How is Fat's #12 not in the rafters of Pepsi Center? His 16 triple doubles in 1987 is the second most in a season by anyone not named Wilt or Oscar. (Magic had 17 in 1989). Jordan's single season best was 15 in 1989 and he had 28 total for his career. Lever had 43 total
Lafayette Lever was great and should be in HOF. Those of us lucky enough to watch him in Denver were treated to a player who contributed in so many different ways. Fat is the GOAT.
Great video! Fat is my favorite player, because he was so underrated. Growing up in the Los Angeles area during the 80s, I used to have arguments with my schoolmates about how Fat Lever was just as good as Magic Johnson. They hated that!
No, but I'll take him over Micheal Ray Richardson. I only bring him up cause many used to compare him to Magic. Fat was a better shooter and more reliable. Yeah, I'm referring to Sugar Ray's bad habits that affected and shortened his career.
Fat Lever was one of my favorite combo guards growing up in the late 80s he had a old school savvy style of play .always a good all around 3rd guard to have on the roster
he was good. I guess LA and maybe Phx were the popular (high viewership?) west coast teams. And I guess Houston was good, and Boston, and the Knicks. So he was probably stuck on so-so teams, not a huge tv market. Had he been lucky enough to have been on the Celtics or Lakers, he'd be among the legends of the era.
In 1989, the one season that MJ started as a PG, he averaged 32.5 ppg on 53.8% shooting, 8 rpg and 8 apg without any other major offensive options (Scottie and Grant were just sophomores then and Oakley was gone) and recorded 15 triple doubles that season (second in the league behind Magic's 17). That was more triple doubles than the rest of his career combine. MJ could definitely be a triple double machine when called upon to do it. Of course, Scottie Pippen matured as a player and by the next season, he was doing most of the ball handling and a larger share of the playmaking. He and Grant also grabbed a larger share of the team's rebounds as well. Once Phil Jackson became head coach (1990) and implemented the triangle offense, the Bulls no longer used a traditional point guard and all the perimeter players and even the interior players (Rodman/Kukoc/Longley) shared more of the playmaking duties and MJ (or any Bull) never averaged more than 7 apg. Even so, between 1988 to 1993 (first retirement), MJ never averaged less than 5.5 apg. When he came back, there were numerous other playmakers/passers on the team (Pippen, Kukoc, Harper, Rodman and even Kerr and Longley)...
Fat Lever was much better than Westbrook. Lever had multiple 20 point 20 rebound games and he had some of the sickest triple doubles. 31 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists(with 6 steals)13 points, 15 assists, 10 steals. 25 points, 19 rebounds, 13 assists. 20 points, 20 rebounds, 12 assists. I can go on and on.
Why have I never heard of this guy? I consider myself fairly well educated on NBA history, but this guy completely fell under my radar somehow.
How is Fat's #12 not in the rafters of Pepsi Center? His 16 triple doubles in 1987 is the second most in a season by anyone not named Wilt or Oscar. (Magic had 17 in 1989). Jordan's single season best was 15 in 1989 and he had 28 total for his career. Lever had 43 total
crazy to look at this and think how far westbrook has come
IT'S NOW HAPPENING!
It is as of today
@Marko R Westbrook's triple doubles are like KD's rings. Just saying.
Russel Westbrook had 42 in 2016-17 season alone
that's nuts that he led the team in rebounds three times
At 6'3!
He just fall Danny shayes by 0.1 rebound in 1988 to win a four robound team crown .
Fat Lever- One of the top 100 players of all time.
Lafayette Lever was great and should be in HOF. Those of us lucky enough to watch him in Denver were treated to a player who contributed in so many different ways. Fat is the GOAT.
I agree 👍 and I'm from the big apple
Great vid Fat wasn't in "the club" but believe his peers respected him...
Fat Lever & Sleepy Floyd are forgotten talent's !!!
Sam Owins Chris Morris for the new Jersey nets also and R.I.P. to Drazen Petrovic.
Coolest names in NBA history as well
Great video! Fat is my favorite player, because he was so underrated. Growing up in the Los Angeles area during the 80s, I used to have arguments with my schoolmates about how Fat Lever was just as good as Magic Johnson. They hated that!
+Right Divider Totally with you bro, Fat Lever is one of my fave players ever.
+Right Divider Well, he was certainly very good. And did everything.
+Right Divider Great player. Nowhere near Magic though.
No, but I'll take him over Micheal Ray Richardson. I only bring him up cause many used to compare him to Magic. Fat was a better shooter and more reliable. Yeah, I'm referring to Sugar Ray's bad habits that affected and shortened his career.
Mick A Ironically Micheal Ray Richardson grew up in Denver.
Fat Lever was one of my favorite combo guards growing up in the late 80s he had a old school savvy style of play .always a good all around 3rd guard to have on the roster
Reminds me of Ja mordant in a wY
Thanks for the education! I know some basketball history but had never heard of Fat! I feel better to know about his career.
I'm from Denver and know the history of Alex English, David Thompson, and Fat Lever. My opinion, greatest nugget ever then Chauncey 😋
Kaos Thaboss cool
Alex English lead the NBA in scoring a few times
Ty for recognizing a guy who was simply a great all around player. I loved reading about his triple doubles.
Fantastic shooter for three point
I know my NBA but saw this guy above bron and had to look him up crazy
🤦♂️
One of the Best Underrated players in the NBA .
fond memories of his college days when i was at osu
Absolute legend.
Minus the dunks...Fat Lever was the original Russell Westbrook.
Facts
A great upload. Well done. Fat Lever nears the top of my "Most Wanted" list, to appear as a guest on my #NBA history #podcast .
150 greatest players of all time? I think he's at least top 100 in my opinion.
I would love to have this guy on my fantasy basketball team!
he was good. I guess LA and maybe Phx were the popular (high viewership?) west coast teams. And I guess Houston was good, and Boston, and the Knicks. So he was probably stuck on so-so teams, not a huge tv market. Had he been lucky enough to have been on the Celtics or Lakers, he'd be among the legends of the era.
Wowwww so this is where Westbrook got his playing style from...Fat Lever!!!!
I agree totally
Fat was a triple double machine...
What’s the song beginning at 1:57
Legend
Most definitely THE most underrated player in the history of the NBA
excelente jugador
Great Video
Thanks!
needs to be in the HOF.
Who’s here because they got his card in nba 2k18 ? Lol
Remind me of Rajon Rondo
MrBacchus18 except lever could shoot
Who's here cause Lebron just passed him in triple doubles?
Me
Cool Ass well, today he passes Larry Bird
wow.
Alex English and Adrian dantley most underrated
Weapon.
Fat Lever which most likely wouldn't get fatty liver from the way he's built his body
Westbrook is 'Fat Lever rebounding' mixed with 'Randy Smith athleticism'!
Fat was a better shooter though
He was better than Rondo.Yes Rondo won a ring but besides passing Fat Lever was better. They are about tied in rebounds
Probably made millions but couldn't find the time to visit the local DMV to legally change his name to something normal.... sad...
His real name is Lafayette Lever. Fat is just a nickname his brother gave him.
La beast sent me here
what video if you remember lol
Sup
Okay did you call Jordan a triple double machine? 😅😅 Jordan didn’t pass the offense ran thru other players. MJ wasn’t a gifted passer
In 1989, the one season that MJ started as a PG, he averaged 32.5 ppg on 53.8% shooting, 8 rpg and 8 apg without any other major offensive options (Scottie and Grant were just sophomores then and Oakley was gone) and recorded 15 triple doubles that season (second in the league behind Magic's 17). That was more triple doubles than the rest of his career combine. MJ could definitely be a triple double machine when called upon to do it. Of course, Scottie Pippen matured as a player and by the next season, he was doing most of the ball handling and a larger share of the playmaking. He and Grant also grabbed a larger share of the team's rebounds as well. Once Phil Jackson became head coach (1990) and implemented the triangle offense, the Bulls no longer used a traditional point guard and all the perimeter players and even the interior players (Rodman/Kukoc/Longley) shared more of the playmaking duties and MJ (or any Bull) never averaged more than 7 apg. Even so, between 1988 to 1993 (first retirement), MJ never averaged less than 5.5 apg. When he came back, there were numerous other playmakers/passers on the team (Pippen, Kukoc, Harper, Rodman and even Kerr and Longley)...
basically a weaker westbrook
Fat Lever was much better than Westbrook. Lever had multiple 20 point 20 rebound games and he had some of the sickest triple doubles. 31 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists(with 6 steals)13 points, 15 assists, 10 steals. 25 points, 19 rebounds, 13 assists. 20 points, 20 rebounds, 12 assists. I can go on and on.
Kyle 223 lmao stop
Adolf's disciple Put Westbrook in the 80's and Lever in this era and see what happens...
Excuse me, I believe it's the other way around. Plus he played in the NBA best era.
purple Wait so basically your an idiotic basketball fan?!