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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 18, 1982)
Lever learning new role With 7:06 to play in the Port land Trail Blazers 91-86 Nation al Basketball Association ex hibition win over the Golden State Warriors Friday at McArthur Court, Portland coach Jack Ramsay called time out As the Blazer players took their places on the bench, Ramsay turned his attention toward the newest of the faces in front of him and patiently relayed a message of instruc tion Before the team retook the floor, assistant coach Jim Lyn am added words of encour agement for the rookie Then it was time for 6-3 Lafayette Fat’ Lever, who signed with the Blazers a week ago, to return to the hardwood for more on-the-job training Three and a half minutes later, Lever found himself along the right baseline and forced up one of his six misfires on the evening At the next break in the action, Darnell Valentine, the second-year player who ap pears to have the starting nod, returned to the floor and Lever took a seat next to Ramsay for more tutoring. With the regular season opener just two weeks away, Lever, the Blazers' number one draft choice out of Arizona State, still has a lot of learning to do "It would be a huge, huge problem had he not been with us this summer,” said Lynam, refering to Fat s’ participation at the summer pro league in Los Angeles Lever practiced with the team in Los Angeles, but did not participate in the games ‘‘Also, he is a very quick learner," Lynam added That is important with any rookie, but it may be more so for Lever Fresh out of ASU, the Blazers will be asking him to back up Valentine at the point guard with the exodus of Kelvin Ransey to Dallas That means he must be able to quarterback the offense he is now learning in short order "I like it right now," Lever said of his position with the Blazers "I accept alt the help I can get Second-year guard Darnell Valentine will move into starting spot at point guard for the Blazers this season —£i1Ui— | Cultural Forum and |BI Eugene Folklore Society fl prejent •_ ; A C • An evening Of Quality Folk Music Country Dance ^Contraband from Bluemont .Virginia Beginners, singles welcomed All dances taught Sunday Oct. 24,8:00 p.m. EMU Ballroom University of Oregon Tickets $250 UO Students $ 3®° General Public available at the door from the coaches and my teammates " Lever, who was wearing a Blazer uniform for only the second time, showed flashes of what the Blazers drafted him for while handing out three assists and scoring four points Midway through the second quarter he burst up the floor and lofted a perfect lead pass to Wayne Cooper on the left wing for a slam dunk which gave the Blazers a 34-30 lead With the Blazers looking to run at every opportunity this season, the quickness of Lever and Valentine coming out of the backcourt is a key ingredient ' For now. I'm pleased with getting the ball out. ' said Ram say, adding that the execution at the end of the fast break will come in time Execution is what Lever is concentrating on these days Early in the game he spent much of his time roaming the outside at the offensive end, and an equal amount of time checking with the bench for in struction "I think it is because I'm not sure," Lever said of his lack of assertiveness on offense Sometimes, if you try to do too much it gets you into trouble " With Ransey gone, Lever will get plenty of opportunities to cause trouble tor opposing guards this season as under study to Valentine But, he said he doesn't feel any added pres sure in replacing Ransey "I don't think that adds pres sure," the rookie said. "I can t worry about being like Kelvin Ransey. The only pressure is the pressure I put on myself." Ramsay is satisfied with his guard situation at this point In addition to Lever's new face, there are changes at off guard with Billy Ray Bates being released. Jeff Lamp, the second year man from Virginia, will backup Jim Paxson at the off guard, along with Linton Townes, a rookie sharpshooter from James Madison. The coach is pleased to have Lever on board "He gives us good support behind Valentine. He has good quickness, a good Rookie Lafayette ‘Fat' Lever undergoes on-the-job-training after his holdout. sense for the game and he is a good passer He picks up the game quickly," Ramsay said So does Valentine, who will go from part-time point guard to main man this season He is looking to play 30 to 38 minutes a game, and he is looking for ward to getting out on the break "We're getting the ball up court a little bit better. We had a lot of good opportunities,’’ Valentine said of the Blazers' effort Friday, which included the usual pre-season sloppiness. “I think things are going to open up a lot more for us this year, " he said of the break. Valentine said he is comfor table in filling Ransey’s shoes as quarterback of the Blazer at tack. "Very much so. Do I look it?" he said with a smile. He does He is also looking forward to having Lever around "We have a lot of similarities. Fat's going to be a great addition to our team.” Lynam agrees that Valentine and Lever will provide the team with similar abilities at the point guard position. "Both are quick, good penetrators, with good ball handling abilities and play good defense." “I'm a big Kelvin Ransey fan," said Lynam. “And, to be honest with you, trading Ransey was a bit of a risk," he added noting Valentine saw only limited ac tion last season "But, I think Darnell is showing that he has the ability to do a good job for us this year. " The Ransey trade can also be judged at the post position where Cooper, who the Blazers got from Dallas in the Ransay trade was impressive in spelling Mychal Thompson against the Warriors. In 21 minutes Cooper contributed 17 points and eight rebounds to the Blazers cause Story by Paul Danzer Photos by Kevin Clark SELECTED WARM UP SUITS 50% OFF CAMPUS STORE ONLY HARVEY FOX’S ANDERSON’S gg SPORTING GOODS __ $$ Hours: 9:30 - 4.30 Monday through Friday _ Paati
