Ebanks and Caracter Look Like Good Fits for Lakers

The Los Angeles Lakers didn’t pick in the first round of the NBA Draft but General Manager Mitch Kupchak had two second-round selections to work with.  At 43, the Lakers chose small forward Devin Ebanks and at 58 they added power forward Derrick Caracter.

Ebanks, at 6’9″, 215 pounds, is a rangy, perimeter defender who can slash and cut.  Historically he’s a poor three-point shooter but in the early games of the Las Vegas Summer League, Devin has shown an improved stroke.  With an uncanny resemblance to former Laker Trevor Ariza, Ebanks may get the opportunity to play a similar role off the bench for the Lakers.  “Everybody says that [about Ariza] but I’m just trying to play like Devin Ebanks.  Everybody says I look like him and we but I’m just trying to focus on me,” said the Ebanks.

Caracter is a little undersized at 6’9″ but listed at 265 he’s got a lot of body despite losing a considerable amount of weight.  Derrick has been an NBA prospect since high school before struggling to live up the hype at the college level.  He’s looking forward to putting those days behind him.  “With a last name like mine, they’ll never forget about the character issues.  Some say it’s good; some say it’s bad,” said Derek.  “What’s most important is that my family and friends know who I am.  I just go out here and prove to these people that I’m here and I’m here to stay.  I just take one day at a time.”

Both Ebanks and Caracter have to make the squad.  As second-rounders, their contracts won’t necessarily be guaranteed initially by the Lakers.  “For second-round picks they played well.  That’s what summer league is for to see what they can do,” said Kupchak.  “A lot of times if they play well at summer league what that really means is that they’re worthy of an invitation to veteran’s camp.  So that’s what they’re trying to do right now, get invited to veteran’s camp and so far so good.”  After two hot shooting nights to start the summer, Ebanks has cooled some.  Through four games, he’s averaged 16.0 points on 41.4% shooting with 1.5 steals a game.
Caracter notched three straight double-doubles before breaking the streak on Tuesday against the Sacramento Kings.  Through four, Derrick has put up 16.8 points a night on 60.4% shooting with 9.3 boards and 1.5 blocks a game.  Right now Derrick is just focused on making it to and through training camp to the regular season with the Lakers.  “It starts off with finishing off strong the rest of my summer, getting invited to veteran’s camp,” said Caracter.  “Take one day at a time through the season and help in whatever way possible, whether it’s 15 seconds or 15 minutes -- try to help L.A. keep winning.”  Ebanks feels the same way. “I could have went higher [in the draft] but I’m happy I’m here.  I get a chance to play with the world champs -- hopefully I’ll make the roster.”  Kupchak is just happy that he has two prospects that have a real shot to make the squad, given L.A.’s draft position.  “They’re both high quality players.  It’s unlikely.  It’s kind of a function of where you’re drafted -- it doesn’t alwayswork out that way,” said Kupchak.  “Typically second-round picks have to work harder to make the roster -- so that’s what they’re going to have to do.”   Caracter wants to help the Lakers beat teams like the Miami HEAT.  He’s kept a close eye on the summer’s developments like the rest of the NBA. “You see guys now teaming up with each other just to get a ring.  It’s not an accident, those guys are like that.  It goes to show you that championships are important,” said Derrick.  “There are a lot of great players that are great but because they never won a championship, they were never held to a certain standard.”  By what they’ve shown so far in Vegas, both Ebanks and Caracter look promising.  Expect the Lakers to add both to the training camp roster in early October.  In the meantime they’ll just keep at it.  “Not settling.  Not settling for a little bit of success with what’s going on here,” said Caracter.  “Keeping my faith in God first and continuing to keep working hard and everything will fall into place.”
Article was written for HoopsWorld by ERIC PINCUS  Read the original article