Retired Denver Nuggets point guard Lafayette "Fat" Lever, who starred with the team in the 1980s, laughs with former teammate Bill Hanzlik as Lever accepts a painting created in his honor during a ceremony at halftime of an NBA basketball game between the Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday, April 8, 2015, in Denver. The Nuggets won 119-101. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

 David Zalubowski

Ex-Pueblo star Lever's skills would play today

As I listen and watch NBA playoffs analysts gush about today’s premier guards, I think back to Pueblo High gradΒ Fat Lever. What would they say about him today? In his NBA career, Lever had a 20-point, 20-rebound, 12-assist game against Cleveland in 1987. He also had a 15-point, 13-rebound, 23-assist game against Golden State in 1988. Lever averaged 19 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists for three seasons. Today that would get an NBA player his own line of Nikes.Β 

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