Charlotte Bobcats player-personnel chief Rod Higgins just confirmed to the Observer that ex-Bobcat Melvin Ely will be signed this afternoon, assuming he passes his physical.
Ely, 6-10 and 260 pounds, will add depth at center and power forward. The Bobcats need center help after free agent Kwame Brown accepted a one-year, $7 million offer from the Golden State Warriors.
Ely played for the Bobcats their first 2 1/2 seasons. In that time he demonstrated a gift for low-post scoring but was not a particularly effective rebounder. He has played for five NBA teams, averaging 5.3 poitns and 3.3 rebounds for his career. He's a .460 shooter all-time in the NBA.
Higgins anticipates Ely being available for Wednesday's afternoon practice.
Charlotte Bobcats President of Basketball Operations Rod Higgins announced today that the team has signed forward/center Melvin Ely. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
An eight-year NBA veteran, Ely has played in 373 games for the Clippers, Bobcats, Spurs, Hornets and Nuggets. He holds career averages of 5.3 points and 3.3 rebounds, while shooting .460 from the field (780-1696). Last season, Ely averaged 2.3 points and 2.5 rebounds in 12.2 minutes in 30 games played for the Nuggets.
He was one of my favorites, too. But these days what does he have that will actually help our hodge-podge team?
Anyone care to offer some ideas about what we're likely to see once the season begins?
0-66 is a possibility. It's gonna go down as one of those seasons we're just gonna have to get through. Quite honestly I don't understand all the gripe I keep hearing on the radio here in Charlotte like it's the end of the NBA here. All teams go through this. Remember when the Celtics sucked? Remember when Miami sucked? It wasn't all that long ago.
0-66 is a possibility. It's gonna go down as one of those seasons we're just gonna have to get through. Quite honestly I don't understand all the gripe I keep hearing on the radio here in Charlotte like it's the end of the NBA here. All teams go through this. Remember when the Celtics sucked? Remember when Miami sucked? It wasn't all that long ago.
It should be an exciting season, even if it turns out to be a losing one!
I don't like making new threads so I'll put this here...
Memphis offered Dante Cunningham a 3 year contract starting at around 2 million and increasing slightly afterward w/ the 3rd year being a team option. Since he's a restricted free agent we have 3 days to match or to just let him go.
If I'm not mistaken we now have a full roster. Ely is in Charlotte on an unguaranteed contract and IMO will most likely have to be cut if Dante is brought back.
Dante under that deal is more valuable than Ely easily. If I read Cho correctly our time right now is all about acquiring assets. IMO this move would follow along with that plan.
I honestly don't think Magette will make it through the season without missing a lot of games (he's already injured and hasn't even played a game). UPS is gonna need some help at the 3 and Cunningham shot 51% last year. He's relatively cheap and likes playing for Silas. To me it's a no-brainer to cut Ely and match Memphis' offer.
True. But with the ever present need for bigs, wouldn't Ely be as big of an asset as Cunningham?
I also think with the way our team is and the way the scheduling is, we're going to need more healthy bigs so we can get through the 3, 4, and 5 game in a row stretches without either losing our better players to worse injuries or getting blown out by 40 points.
True. But with the ever present need for bigs, wouldn't Ely be as big of an asset as Cunningham?
I also think with the way our team is and the way the scheduling is, we're going to need more healthy bigs so we can get through the 3, 4, and 5 game in a row stretches without either losing our better players to worse injuries or getting blown out by 40 points.
Since we got Biyombo and signed Mullens I feel much better about our bigs. What I don't feel great about is our ability to score, especially with Reggie Williams out. Cunningham can be a 15/10 guy and just might have a breakout season.
Bobcats Bringing Back Marvin Ely
i can tell how excited you are about this guy
My apologies to Melvin. I know the strip clubs and jewelry stores in Charlotte welcome his return.
