Lakers Season Countdown: 45 days, A.C. Green

We're getting ready for a brand new season of Los Angeles Lakers basketball, so to count down the days we'll be looking at the best Lakers to wear the number. We'll start at 45 days until the regular season begins, with an Iron Man to kick things off.

Who wore it best: A.C. Green

(Credit: Mike Powell, Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Lakers selected A.C. Green in the first round as the 23rd overall pick in the 1985 NBA draft. A.C. Green played in the NBA for 16 years, and spent 9 years with the Lakers. Green earned his sole All-Star selection in 1990 and played on 4 Lakers teams that made it to the NBA Finals, winning 3 of those 4 times (1987, 88 & 2000).

A.C. earned the nickname "Iron Man' towards the end of his career. Green played in 1,192 consecutive games. Green's streak began on November 19, 1986, and ended on April 18, 2001. His streak almost ended in 1996, when he was intentionally elbowed in the face during a game and lost two teeth, but he played a few minutes in the next game while wearing a mask to keep his streak alive. Over his entire career, Green only missed 3 games, all in the 1986-87 season, his second in the NBA.

Who wore it last: Derrick Caracter

Derrick Caracter was selected with the 58th overall pick by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2010 NBA draft. He was only with the Lakers for one season, and appeared in 41 games. He was eventually waived by the Lakers after he tore his left lateral meniscus during a practice in 2011.

He is most known around Silver Screen & Roll for his involvement and eventual arrest for an altercation with an employee at a New Orleans IHOP. Caracter is currently playing in the Philippine Basketball Association.

#45 - Who has worn it:

A.C. Green (1986-1993, 2000)

Sean Rooks (1997-1999)

Derrick Caracter (2011)