Derrick Caracter's 10 Greatest Games as a Lakers Rookie

Derrick Caracter was the big boy on the Lakers in 2010-11 who came from UTEP as a 6'9" 275-pound rookie. Would Caracter continue the trend of UTEP Miners who made it big in the NBA like Nate "Tiny" Archibald, or Tim Hardaway, or Antonio Davis or even Greg Foster who won it all with the Lakers as Shaq's backup in 2000?

There was the hope that would happen. Of course, it would require him getting actual minutes in the Lakers rotation. It didn't happen that way. Nevertheless Caracter actually did play well in the small bits of play he earned. His top 10 performances of 2010-11 may be his last though.

His future with the Lakers hinges on whether the team will exercise its $788,872 option in retaining him. Also, he was arrested at an IHOP in New Orleans during the playoffs, and to make matters worse he was recently posterized by Rockets forward Terrence Williams in a charity game in Louisville.

If there is any chance, Lakers, will you give my boy another chance?

No. 10: Jan. 19, 2011 @ Dallas

Even in only 23 seconds of action, Caracter made himself useful for the Lakers. They should have let him play because Dallas beat the Lakers anyway. They could have tried another approach.

In 23 seconds, Caracter hit the shot he took and grabbed a board too. Maybe, in 23 seconds, Caracter showed that to beat Dallas, LA could use a wide body with some power.

He finished with two points and one rebound in 23 seconds. Could Caracter have been the key to not being swept? We will never know because he was not played.

No. 9: Jan. 9, 2011 vs NY

Could DC be the next DC? Well, during his two minutes of action, Caracter showed the scoring touch of Derrick Coleman. He has the size and the strength, but little minutes to prove it.

The Lakers threw him out there against the Knicks, and he came hard by hitting both shots he took, but he did miss a free throw. He recorded four points in two minutes. That's 96 points per 48!

Give the guy a chance, LA.

No. 8: Nov. 11, 2010 @ Denver

Caracter only played four minutes in this Lakers loss, but he should have played more in the potential win. In four minutes, Caracter made 1-for-1 from the field and 2-for-2 from the line, and he added a rebound.

This game showed he could shoot, and per 48 minutes, he could have netted 48 points and 12 rebounds.

No. 7: Feb. 14, 2011 @ Charlotte

Another loss in the Lakers eventually disappointing season could have altered if the big boy had played more minutes. Caracter was limited to five minutes by Phil Jackson, and he went out and made 2-of-3 shots and grabbed three rebounds.

Five minutes, four points and three rebounds is pretty good. Maybe Lamar Odom or Gasol wanted back in. Hey, give the rook a chance, guys.

No. 6: Jan. 11, 2011 vs Cleveland

The LA/Cleveland rivalry wasn't what it used to be in 2011, so why not give Caracter a chance to shine against the new worst team in the league? He was allowed a whopping six minutes of action in this game, and he produced.

Caracter went out and hit 3-for-3 from the field for six points in the Lakers win. Once again, per 48 minutes, Caracter statistically could have had 48 points. Would he have? Maybe, he just didn't have the chance.

No. 5: Nov. 7, 2010 vs Portland

Caracter actually got some respectable playing time in this Lakers win. They might have won it due to Caracter's all around performance. When they gave him minutes, he produced, just like he did at UTEP and Louisville before that.

He played 17 minutes and grabbed three rebounds, dished off for an assist, blocked a shot and made 3-of-6 field goals for six points.

No. 4: Nov. 17, 2010 @ Detroit

Caracter was obviously forced to display his skills this year for the Lakers in short spurts. The team that had hoped to three-peat probably thought less of the rookie due to their important status. By the end of the year, they may have regretted not playing the big guy more.

Could he have been the key to winning it all? Who knows? He wasn't played enough. In this game Caracter played 15 minutes and made 3-of-5 field goals for six points. He also added a nice five rebounds against the Pistons.

Six points and five rebounds in 15 minutes. Nice, DC, nice.

No. 3: Dec. 28, 2010 @ SA

The Lakers lost this one, and they played Caracter only three minutes. Does that make sense? No. When you go up against Duncan you need all the help you can get. How about the 6'9" 275-pound Caracter?

He played three minutes but showed a productive side. Caracter made 1-for-1 from the field and 3-for-3 from the line for five points and a rebound in those three minutes.

Five points and one rebound in three minutes. Yes, Jackson should have played him more in this game that turned out to be a loss anyway.

No. 2: Nov. 2, 2010 @ Memphis

Yeah, Caracter bangin' down low is what it is all about, Lakers. Caracter started off the season in his manner by taking it to Memphis in this win. He only was allotted 10 minutes, but he came through.

Caracter missed all three field goals he took, but he was fouled constantly for his inside action. He went to the line six times and hit all six free throws. Not bad for a rookie big man who plays center/power forward.

Carcater added three rebounds and a steal to his six points in 10 minutes. Can you see the potential?

No. 1: Dec. 3, 2010 vs Sacramento

This was Caracter's big moment in the sun for his rookie year. In 21 minutes of action, Caracter did everything he could have been asked to do in the Lakers win.

Caracter showed character by making 5-of-8 from the field, grabbing four rebounds, adding an assist, stealing it once and blocking two shots.

When Caracter was actually played he produced 10 points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and two blocks in a big team win.

Conclusion

Will Derrick Caracter's NBA career end after one season or will we look back on his rookie year as a stepping stone to a nice career? Well, Kobe Bryant only averaged 7.6 points per game as a rookie, and LA let him grow and blossom.

LA, give Caracter another chance so he can join Tim Hardaway, Antonio Davis, Nate Archibald and LA's own hero of the past, Greg Foster, as players who did the UTEP Two-Step all over the NBA!