Ely signs a two-year deal with Hornets

With a motive to make the playoffs for the first time since 2004, Hornets General Manager Jeff Bower and Coach Byron Scott decided they needed to make one final major addition to the team's roster.

On Thursday, the Hornets signed veteran forward/center Melvin Ely to a two-year contract to improve their frontcourt, which includes inexperienced second-year players Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons. Financial terms were not released.

"I think those two guys (Armstrong and Simmons) are going to develop, and they both are going to continue to get better," Scott said Thursday.

"Obviously, Melvin has proven that he can play in this league. The thing we want to do is get the best available players to make us a better basketball team. Does it mean somebody is not going to play a lot? Probably so. That's what competition is all about."

Armstrong was impressive during summer league, but Scott said he still must learn more post-up moves and adjust to splitting time at power forward. Simmons was unable to play during the summer league because of a sprained ankle. Going into next month's training camp, Scott wants Simmons to be stronger and improve his post-up game.

Ely, 6 feet 10, 260 pounds, is a low-post scorer, but can also make mid-range shots. He was traded by the Charlotte Bobcats to the San Antonio Spurs in February. Ely, the 12th overall pick in the first round by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2002 draft, played in six games for the Spurs but was inactive for the playoffs.

"I'm strong enough to play (center) and fast enough to play (forward)," Ely said. "A low-post scorer is something everybody needs. I'm not going to dunk over anybody. I'm just basically old school, and that's just the way I play."

Ely, who has averaged 6.2 points and 3.6 rebounds after five seasons, played his first two seasons with the Los Angeles Clippers before signing with the Bobcats before the 2004-05 season. Last season, Ely averaged 3.0 points and 1.8 rebounds in 30 games.

Ely's best season was 2005-06 with the Bobcats, when he averaged 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds. He scored in double figures 30 times, and in 22 starts, he averaged 11.5 points and 5.9 rebounds.

"This is the guy we've been looking at for the past couple of seasons, this was just the right time to get him in here and understand what we want from him," Scott said. "The thing I was impressed with when I talked to him was telling him we've got a couple of young guys and some other big guys, and I don't care who plays, I want to win. I kind of put the ball in his court, and he was willing to accept the challenge. That's something that excited me and tells me a little about him as a person."

Asked at his introductory news conference Thursday what he was looking for with the Hornets, Ely replied emphatically -- "To win."

Ely becomes the third free agent the Hornets have signed since July. Earlier this summer, they signed Morris Peterson, who is expected to start at shooting guard. Backup point guard Jannero Pargo, who had opted out of the contract he signed last summer to become a free agent, was re-signed.

"Honestly, we could have had all this over about two months ago," Ely said. "I had offers, some for more money, but I would rather be in a place where I felt wanted. I've known for a couple of years that I have interest here.

"I wanted to go to a team that shows interest that I can actually have fun, and be part of a good team. Coming back to a city that is excited to have us back is good. It's a perfect world for a basketball player. I'm just happy to be here."

Ely said he's been friends with Hornets starting center Tyson Chandler, guard Rasual Butler, forward David West and Pargo for several years. Before his deal was finalized this week, Ely said Pargo called him a few times urging him to become a teammate.

"We wanted to try and add somebody that was a just a little different than any of the makeup of our other guys up front," Bower said. "We like the fact that Melvin's got a little bit experience but is also hungry to prove his abilities. I think that's a great ingredient for us."

Ely plans to use what he learned from playing with the Spurs, who won their third NBA championship since 2003 in June against the Cleveland Cavaliers, to help younger players like first-round draft pick Julian Wright, Armstrong and Simmons.

"I played with the Los Angeles Clippers, Charlotte; I've done a lot of losing," Ely said.

"Then, with San Antonio, it opened my eyes up. The way they shake things off, approach the game, I was happy to experience that.

"What I bring to the table is probably helping out with young guys. I can't tell a guard what to do, but I know about the post, and I want to help them as much as I can."

PRACTICE FACILITY UPDATE: The Hornets training center is among the projects to be considered Thursday at a meeting of the State Bond Commission, which now has the green light from Gov. Kathleen Blanco to approve financing for the long-awaited facility. The basketball training and practice facility has been a key element of the state's attempt to keep the team in New Orleans.

During the spring legislative session, lawmakers approved $18 million in financing to build the center next to the New Orleans Arena. As an important step toward that expenditure, the governor's division of administration is asking the commission to approve $1.5 million in a cash line of credit and to obligate $13 million more to be made available as construction proceeds. The governor's request also includes $16.8 million in lines of credit for improvements to the Superdome.

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