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Bobcats’ Ely Asks for Trade With a Smile
By MIKE CRANSTON, AP Sports Writer
Posted Jan 8 2007 6:44PM
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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 8 (AP) -- Charlotte Bobcats forward Melvin Ely is still smiling and joking with his teammates. He has nothing but good things to say about coach and general manager Bernie Bickerstaff.
He's probably one of the happiest players ever to have asked to be traded.
Ely said on Monday he asked to be traded before a game against the Lakers on Dec. 29.
"You do that and normally coaches get upset. But the way it was handled, I ended up playing a whole quarter of the Lakers game. I'm playing here and there especially when guys aren't handling their business on the court.
"There are no hard feelings between the two of us. Things are basically just a waiting game.''
Ely doesn't hide his disappointment. The 6-foot-10 power forward turned down sign-and-trade offers from Golden State and Phoenix before the start of training camp. The restricted free agent then signed a one-year qualifying offer with Charlotte worth just more than $3 million.
Ely knew the Bobcats had a lot of power forwards, but he was confident he would get playing time after averaging a career-best 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds last season.
Instead, Ely has barely played. With Emeka Okafor and Sean May getting the bulk of the minutes, Ely is averaging 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds. He hasn't gotten on the court in 12 games.
"You can walk around with a chip on your shoulder, but then bad things will happen,'' Ely said. "If I become a jerk, Bernie becomes a jerk. If I keep good manners and stay professional, Bernie keeps good manners and stays professional. I've been in this league long enough to know that jerks always lose in a fight with a coach. I don't want that reputation as a bad guy.''
Ely has remained positive because he remembers how Bickerstaff helped resurrect his career. The Clippers selected Ely with the 12th overall pick of the 2002 draft, but he barely played in two seasons in Los Angeles. Bickerstaff traded for Ely in 2004.
"He trusted me. Why would I be a jerk to a guy who restarted my career?'' Ely said.
Ely's attitude has impressed May.
"He's in his contract year and his future is in the balance,'' May said. "He doesn't know what he's going to do and he's not playing. But he comes out here and works hard. He could come out here and be a real (jerk), but he respects everybody and the coaching staff.
"It's a bad situation, but hopefully things will work out and be taken care of.''
Ely's name has been mentioned in numerous trade scenarios. He got hopeful when talk of a deal with New Jersey heated up involving Nets point guard Jeff McInnis. The Bobcats did acquire McInnis last week, but the Nets took Bernard Robinson and his smaller salary ($1 million) instead of Ely.
"Everyone knew I was a little disappointed with the New Jersey thing,'' Ely said. "Everybody came over and talked to me. It's hard to be down. Hopefully things will go my way.''
Ely can score in the low post, a talent that could help teams making a playoff push. Bickerstaff is still actively working on a deal, but hasn't discussed specifics. Charlotte would probably want to get a draft pick, although a first-round pick appears unlikely.
Ely remains hopeful he'll be dealt before the Feb. 22 trade deadline.
"I hope so. If not, I'll stay in shape and probably work out for teams over the summer,'' Ely said. "I'm just staying positive on both sides. I still love the guys on this team. I won't be a cancer on this team.''
Copyright 2006 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited
Bobcats’ Ely Asks for Trade With a Smile
By MIKE CRANSTON, AP Sports Writer
Posted Jan 8 2007 6:44PM
Share on Facebook CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 8 (AP) -- Charlotte Bobcats forward Melvin Ely is still smiling and joking with his teammates. He has nothing but good things to say about coach and general manager Bernie Bickerstaff.
He's probably one of the happiest players ever to have asked to be traded.
Ely said on Monday he asked to be traded before a game against the Lakers on Dec. 29.
"You do that and normally coaches get upset. But the way it was handled, I ended up playing a whole quarter of the Lakers game. I'm playing here and there especially when guys aren't handling their business on the court.
"There are no hard feelings between the two of us. Things are basically just a waiting game.''
Ely doesn't hide his disappointment. The 6-foot-10 power forward turned down sign-and-trade offers from Golden State and Phoenix before the start of training camp. The restricted free agent then signed a one-year qualifying offer with Charlotte worth just more than $3 million.
Ely knew the Bobcats had a lot of power forwards, but he was confident he would get playing time after averaging a career-best 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds last season.
Instead, Ely has barely played. With Emeka Okafor and Sean May getting the bulk of the minutes, Ely is averaging 2.7 points and 1.5 rebounds. He hasn't gotten on the court in 12 games.
"You can walk around with a chip on your shoulder, but then bad things will happen,'' Ely said. "If I become a jerk, Bernie becomes a jerk. If I keep good manners and stay professional, Bernie keeps good manners and stays professional. I've been in this league long enough to know that jerks always lose in a fight with a coach. I don't want that reputation as a bad guy.''
Ely has remained positive because he remembers how Bickerstaff helped resurrect his career. The Clippers selected Ely with the 12th overall pick of the 2002 draft, but he barely played in two seasons in Los Angeles. Bickerstaff traded for Ely in 2004.
"He trusted me. Why would I be a jerk to a guy who restarted my career?'' Ely said.
Ely's attitude has impressed May.
"He's in his contract year and his future is in the balance,'' May said. "He doesn't know what he's going to do and he's not playing. But he comes out here and works hard. He could come out here and be a real (jerk), but he respects everybody and the coaching staff.
"It's a bad situation, but hopefully things will work out and be taken care of.''
Ely's name has been mentioned in numerous trade scenarios. He got hopeful when talk of a deal with New Jersey heated up involving Nets point guard Jeff McInnis. The Bobcats did acquire McInnis last week, but the Nets took Bernard Robinson and his smaller salary ($1 million) instead of Ely.
"Everyone knew I was a little disappointed with the New Jersey thing,'' Ely said. "Everybody came over and talked to me. It's hard to be down. Hopefully things will go my way.''
Ely can score in the low post, a talent that could help teams making a playoff push. Bickerstaff is still actively working on a deal, but hasn't discussed specifics. Charlotte would probably want to get a draft pick, although a first-round pick appears unlikely.
Ely remains hopeful he'll be dealt before the Feb. 22 trade deadline.
"I hope so. If not, I'll stay in shape and probably work out for teams over the summer,'' Ely said. "I'm just staying positive on both sides. I still love the guys on this team. I won't be a cancer on this team.''
Copyright 2006 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited
