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NBA: 50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame

By Maxwell Ogden

AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: Chauncey Billups of the Detroit Piston celebrates with the fans after the Pistons defeated the Lakers 100-87 to win the 2004 NBA championship final, in Auburn Hills, MI, 15 June 2004. The Pistons won the best-of-seven NBA championship series 5-1 and Billups was the series MVP. AFP PHOTO / Robyn BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: Chauncey Billups of the Detroit Piston celebrates with the fans after the Pistons defeated the Lakers 100-87 to win the 2004 NBA championship final, in Auburn Hills, MI, 15 June 2004. The Pistons won the best-of-seven NBA championship series 5-1 and Billups was the series MVP. AFP PHOTO / Robyn BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Fat Lever
Fat Lever (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame: 42. Fat Lever

Long before Russell Westbrook spawned a generation of players who racked up triple-doubles without pause, Fat Lever was Magic Johnson’s 10-10-10 contemporary. The 12-year NBA veteran finished his career with 43 triple-doubles, which ranks 10th all-time.

That’s a ridiculous fact considering the meteoric rise of the pursuit of triple-doubles during the modern era of the Association.

It was made even more impressive by the fact that Lever was just 6’3” in an era of giants. While neither is truly better or worse than the other, it’s certainly pertinent that Lever played with bigs who were more content to grab rebounds than space the floor or defend the perimeter.

Lost in the praise that Lever receives for his triple-doubles, is the fact that he was a legitimate two-way player.

Despite having his career cut short by injuries, Lever ranks 25th all-time in steals and amassed just under 5,000 assists. Between 1986-87 and 1989-90, Lever raised his game and nearly averaged a triple-double at cumulative marks of 18.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.5 assists, and 2.5 steals per game.

In 1986-87, he became one of just three players in NBA history to average at least 18.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 8.0 assists, and 2.0 steals per game over the course of a full season.

The others: Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan.

Lever made a pair of All-Star Game appearances during that run, as well as an All-NBA Second Team and an All-Defensive Second Team.  He played 48 playoff games, as well, including a run to the Western Conference Finals as Alex English’s co-star with the Denver Nuggets.

That further validated the career of one of the NBA’s forgotten great point guards.

Lever will be forever linked to the triple-double, but even that doesn’t cover how well-rounded he was. A tough defender, elite ball-hawk, and complete offensive player, Lever was a unique talent.