Off the Court: Melvin Ely
Saturday, November 3, 2007
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com
What does sixth-year Hornets veteran forward/center Melvin Ely like to do when hes not playing basketball? Hornets.com sat down with the Fresno State product to find out more about his interests away from the game of hoops.Favorite type of music:
I am all over the board with music. I was once a music major in college at Fresno State. I listen to jazz and hip-hop a lot. I also love (the rock group) Nickelback and Ozzy Osbourne, and I listen to country. If you ever see my iPod, everything is in there. Im open to anything.Cant miss TV shows:
Family Guy, CSI: Miami, CSI: New York and a show on Showtime (about a fictional serial killer) called Dexter.Reality TV thoughts:
Reality TV is ridiculous. It gives kids a false image of what life is supposed to be like. They should put the money they spend on those shows to something else, like education.Favorite movie of all time: Scent of a Woman.Time spent online per day: About an hour and a half to two hours.Favorite non-sports Web site: YouTube, iTunes. I also go to Media Takeout a lot. Its got all of the latest gossip about celebrities on there."What hed be doing if he werent an NBA player: Id be teaching kids. I know I said I used to major in music in college, but I couldnt teach music today, because the rap that these kids listen to today gives me a headache. [grins]Favorite athlete as a kid: Hall of Fame center Hakeem Olajuwon. I loved watching his post moves. Ive tried to steal just about everything hes done. I still dont have the Dream Shake down yet [Olajuwons well-known baseline spin move], but I have everything else. [laughs]Best friends on other NBA teams: Seattle forward Chris Wilcox, Charlotte guard Matt Carroll, Charlotte forward Emeka Okafor.Best friends in other pro sports: From the NFL, Washington wide receiver Antwaan Randle El, Kansas City linebacker Napoleon Harris, New York Giants running back Derrick Ward, Chicago wide receiver Bernard Berrian. Like Ely, Randle El and Harris are originally from Elys hometown of Harvey, Ill., a suburb of Chicago. Ward and Berrian are Fresno State products like Ely.First job: I was the janitor at the YMCA in my hometown. I enjoyed it. I was supposed to be there at 8 a.m. every day for the job, but I got there at 6:30, so that I could use the basketball court and shoot. Then I had to make sure the floor was clean so my boss wouldnt get mad at me. I took a lot of shots on that court. I owe some of being in the NBA right now to that job! [laughs]