September 13, 2007

Five-year NBA veteran power forward/center Melvin Ely has spent his professional career searching for stability and the opportunity to contribute to a winning team. The 6-foot-10 Fresno State product is hopeful that he found both of those things Thursday, when he officially signed a free-agent contract with the Hornets.

Ely was a 2002 lottery pick of the Los Angeles Clippers, selected with the No. 12 overall choice in the NBA Draft. He spent his first two seasons with the Clips, then was dealt to Charlotte prior to the Bobcats’ inaugural NBA season in 2004-05. After two-plus seasons in North Carolina, Ely was dealt to San Antonio midway through the 2006-07 campaign. The 29-year-old appeared in just six games during the regular season for the Spurs and was not on the club’s postseason roster, though he did pick up a championship ring when San Antonio swept Cleveland in the 2007 NBA Finals. Ely, who played for famed college coach Jerry Tarkanian at Fresno State, sat down with Hornets.com following his introductory press conference Thursday to discuss his signing.

Hornets.com: What were the deciding factors in choosing to sign with the Hornets over other NBA teams that were interested in you?
Ely: It was the players on the team and the guys I already know and am really close with. Rasual (Butler), (Jannero) Pargo, Tyson (Chandler) and I are friends. I’ve known David West since college. When you know as many people as that, it kind of makes your decision easier. Plus, I had the feeling from them that the team wanted me, for my experience.

Hornets.com: Throughout your five-year career, you’ve always been in a situation where you were behind a couple other players in the frontcourt rotation, including when the Clippers drafted you in 2002. Could this situation be the best opportunity of your career to get playing time?
Ely: Well, the main thing was still that they wanted me to be here, but there is playing time (to be earned), especially with some of the things I can do on the court. It’s funny, because one of the first things Byron Scott said on the phone when he called about signing here was that I could be a better rebounder. [grins] I love that, because usually when you woo players, you don’t bring up the negative stuff. [laughs] But I loved that, and anything that they want me to work on, I’m willing to do that.

There are a lot of bigs here, but there are a lot of young bigs. As all bigs know, the younger you are, the tougher it can be in the NBA. That’s just youth. I don’t think your body is ready for the NBA that first year, and injuries are going to happen – I even had some myself. But there is going to be time available somewhere. It’s a long season, and there are going to be a lot of ups and downs. I just hope to be a part of it.

Hornets.com: Let’s hope this doesn’t happen, but if there are as many Hornets injuries as there were last season, you could be starting and playing about 40 minutes a game.
Ely: [laughs] That’s true.

Hornets.com: Except for last season when you were with San Antonio and didn’t get to play a lot, you’ve been on teams that weren’t on national TV very much, the Clippers and Bobcats. How would you describe your game to fans who haven’t gotten to see you play?
Ely: My best friend said it the best: I’m straight old school. [grins] My favorite shot is the jump hook, and nobody even shoots that anymore. I can use both hands well, and my strength is low-post scoring. I like to get the ball on the block. Also, my ability to play the power forward spot and center on offense – and guard small forwards, power forwards or centers on defense – makes me valuable. If you haven’t seen me play, I’m not going to jump over anybody or anything like that. I’m more technical and about good footwork and old-school moves. For people who know the game of basketball and enjoy the game, they love me. For people who don’t, there more into Amare Stoudemire-type players who can jump over anybody.

Hornets.com: So you’re not the kind of guy who’s going to produce a lot of highlights, but you would have felt more comfortable playing in the 1950s and 1960’s, right?
Ely: Oh yeah. If I was playing in the 50’s and 60’s, I would have been The Man back then! [laughs] I’m just extremely old school. I probably won’t even shoot a jumper until about 10 games into the season. Everything will be a jump hook or an up-and-under move. I played for Jerry Tarkanian in college (at Fresno State), and he taught me all of that stuff.

Hornets.com: How much are you looking forward to being a part of the revitalization of New Orleans this season?
Ely: It’s a big thing for me, because the people are so happy to have the team. I’m happy to be here, because I’m willing to give back. Anything I need to do for this community, whether it is community service or visiting schools, I’d love to do that. They wanted us back, and we’re happy to be back. Now it’s time for us to do whatever we can to help.

Hornets.com: Are you planning to show your championship ring from San Antonio last season to some of your new teammates?
Ely: [grins] You know, from the first day I get it, it probably won’t come off until (the end of the 2007-08 season). I will be wearing it until then! Whenever we play the Spurs, they’ll give me that ring [New Orleans’ first trip to San Antonio is Jan. 26]. I will not be taking it off ever.

Hornets.com: Even during games?
Ely: [laughs] Well, besides that. It’s something every player wants to achieve. I thank San Antone for giving me my ring. I didn’t play there as much as I wanted to, but the guys there never made me feel like I wasn’t playing. From Tim (Duncan) to Tony (Parker) to Manu (Ginobili), they were patting me on the back and telling me to keep my head up. Whatever I can pass on from that experience playing with the Spurs, I’m going to do that. And hopefully when we play the Spurs, we’ll beat their butts so I can get some bragging rights! [laughs]

Hornets.com: You’ve worn uniform No. 2 throughout your NBA career, but your friend Jannero Pargo already has that jersey here, so you chose No. 33. Did you approach Jannero about putting together a deal to obtain No. 2?
Ely: [grins] Nah. I wore 33 for Coach Tarkanian in college. When I wore No. 2 in the NBA, it was as a tribute to Coach Tark, and something that a few guys who played for Tark at UNLV also did, guys like Larry Johnson, Greg Anthony and Stacey Augmon. But honestly, it’s not the number that matters; it’s the man wearing it. This is the number (33) that I wore in college that got me to the NBA, so I’m happy to get it back.