Recall Russell Westbrook, formerly known as Fat Lever 1.0?

Recall Russell Westbrook, formerly known as Fat Lever 1.0?

In the 1980s, a name that often goes unmentioned in discussions about triple-doubles is Lafayette "Fat" Lever. Known for his impressive statistics and electrifying performances, Lever was a force to be reckoned with on the court.

Lever, a 2x NBA All-Star point guard, averaged at least 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists for three consecutive seasons. His most notable games include a 25-point, 20-rebound, 12-assist performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers, a 30-point, 10-rebound, 7-assist game against the Portland Trail Blazers, and a 38-point, 12-rebound, 7-assist performance against the Miami Heat.

However, Lever's achievements were often overshadowed by the likes of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, who were hailed for their contributions to championship-contending teams. Lever's Denver Nuggets, while impressive, never quite reached the heights of those dominant teams.

Lever's best MVP placement came in 1987, when he finished 9th in the voting, despite leading his team to the best record in the Midwest Division with 54 wins. This was a season where he averaged less than a rebound and two assists from a triple-double while scoring 20 points per game. Yet, he was not in the top 17 in MVP voting due to his team's 3rd place finish in the division.

Despite this, Lever never complained about the lack of recognition. In a conversation with Vince Cellini, he expressed modesty about being "the forgotten man of triple-doubles" and acknowledged the achievements of modern players like James Harden and Russell Westbrook. He did not consider himself "as good" as Westbrook, but was quick to acknowledge the Oklahoma City Thunder star's impressive triple-double season.

The speaker, a fan of Westbrook for the past nine years, refers to Lever as the most underrated triple-double threat in history. However, they do not consider Westbrook's triple-double season the "greatest season ever." They believe that if players like Lever and Johnson had not focused on achieving triple-doubles in a time before fantasy sports and individual stat betting, they could have averaged a triple-double for multiple seasons.

Lever's impact on the game is undeniable. He led his Denver Nuggets in rebounding for four straight seasons and averaged 19 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists during the 1987/88 season, helping the team achieve the best record in the Midwest Division. His athleticism, while not quite on par with Westbrook's, was still a quarter of the hops and athleticism of the Oklahoma City Thunder star.

In conclusion, Lafayette "Fat" Lever's career is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of individual statistics in the game of basketball. Despite being overlooked in the 80s, Lever's legacy continues to inspire new generations of basketball players.