Lafayette “Fat” Lever was a two-time All-PAC 10 Selection at Arizona State, and the defensively skilled Point Guard was drafted by Portland 11^th Overall in 1982.  Lever played for Portland for only two years before he was traded to Denver, and in Mile High he became s atarter.

Lever’s first two seasons as a Nugget saw him average 13.3 Points, 7.5 Assists and 2.4 Steals, but the four years that followed were the best of his life.  In 1986-87, Lever increased his totals to 18.9 Points, 8.0 Assists and 2.5 Steals, and along with his good rebounding skills, was a constant threat to have a triple-double game.  Lever was a Second Team All-NBA, and was ninth in MVP voting.and was one of the most well-rounded players in basketball.  Lever remained strong in 1987-88 with his second straight 18.9 PPG and ninth-place MVP finish, with his first trip to the All-Star Game.

Lever never had MVP votes again, but he arguably had his best season in 1988-89 when he had career-highs in Points (19.8) and Rebounds (9.3) without sacrificing his anything in Steals (2.7) and Assists 6.7).  He landed his second and final All-Star, and in the season after had another excellent campaign (18.3 PTS/9.3 Rebounds).  The Nuggets traded Lever to the Dallas Mavericks in 1990, but his peak period was over.

Lever began succumbing to injuries, specifically his knee.  He only played four Games in 1990-91, and 31 in 1991-92, but averaged only 11.2 Points per Game.  Laver missed the entirety of the 1992-93 campaign, and though he played 81 Games in 1993-94, he was ineffective with 6.9 Points with 24.0 Minutes per Game.  He retired after that, and had his knee not betrayed him, Lever might have had another All-Star in him.

Playing his entire career with the Washington Redskins, Jerry Smith was one of the new breed of Tight Ends who was redefining the position.  Smith was a more than adequate blocker, but he was catching passes at the same rate of Wide Receivers, a trait that was not common in the 1960s and 1970s.  Smith would help the Redskins reach their first Super Bowl and he finished in the top ten in Receptions four times, and Receiving Touchdowns five times.  He would be a Pro Bowl twice and in 1969, he was named a First Team All-Pro.

Considered a shutdown Cornerback before there was such a term, Louis Wright would play his entire career with the Denver Broncos.  Drafted in the 1^st Round (17^th Overall) from San Jose State, Wright paid immediate dividends by being named to the First Team All-Rookie squad.  Denver was developing a reputation for their Orange Crush Defense, but if anyone got past them, they would have Louis Wright to contend with.  Wright was easily one of the best Corners in the late '70s going to the Pro Bowl in 1977, 1978, and 1979 and was a First Team All-Pro in the latter two seasons.  He was also crucial in helping Denver reach their first Super Bowl, a loss to Cowboys in Super Bowl XII.

Despite Denver's Super Bowl appearance, Wright's exploits were not nationally recognized.  One of the most adept at shadowing a receiver, Wright's instincts were incredible, and in every game he played, his opposing Offensive Coorrdinator planned schmes to avoid throwing to Wright.

There have been many great defensive stars for the Philadelphia Eagles through the years.  Perhaps one of their quickest was Eric Allen, who was a constant threat to intercept any football thrown in his vicinity, and stuff anyone who had the ball near him.

Eric Allen was an impact player immediately in the NFL, earning the starting job at Right Corner after he was taken with a high Second Round Pick in 1988 from Arizona State.  In his first eight years as a professional, Allen was named to the Pro Bowl six times and despite being a Cornerback, became a Sports Centre staple.  In 1993, Eric Allen had six picks, four of which he returned for touchdowns.  Allen was a glue defensive back in that he had his man covered like he was their Siamese twin.  Blessed with incredible instincts, Allen had 58 career Interceptions, with 9 pick-sixes.  Allen had 34 of his picks as an Eagle, but was still a productive player in his second half, which included three years in New Orleans and four in Oakland.

As one of the most exciting players and best athletes in the league history, Allen has the Hall of Fame profile but is running out of time on the modern ballot.

Byron Scott is one of the most heralded shooters and finishers in league history. His run with the great Laker teams of the 80s proved he was a winner. Scott came from Arizona State as he 4th pick overall in the draft and was the perfect piece missing for Showtime. So the Lakers went out and got him. Trading Norm Nixon to the Clippers for Scott before he played a minute Scott was the perfect complement to Magic in the backcourt.