Ely Thrilled To Join Spurs

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> While most of the Spurs used the All-Star break to get away for a quick vacation, Melvin Ely figured he'd already had enough time off this season. So he went to work.

Acquired from Charlotte last Wednesday, Ely flew into town as soon as he could and spent the weekend working out in the team's practice facility.

"The (strength) coach kicked my butt the first couple of days and I'm just now getting my legs back," Ely said. "I'm excited to be here and can't wait to go full steam."

How soon Ely gets to go "full steam" remains to be seen. Because Ely hadn't played much with the Bobcats this season, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said the team first needs to get him in shape before determining whether he'll be able to contribute.

After Monday evening's practice, the 6-foot-10 Ely played some two-on-two with Jackie Butler, James White and Beno Udrih. Ely said he'll need a week to learn the team's plays and defensive calls and improve his conditioning, but that might be an optimistic estimate.

For now, he's happy for a change of scenery.

After spending his first two years with the Los Angeles Clippers, Ely was acquired by Charlotte before the 2004-05 season. He averaged career bests of 9.8 points and 4.9 rebounds last season, which earned him a one-year, $3.3 million contract from the Bobcats. But he's appeared in only 24 games this season, averaging a little more than 10 minutes, and asked to be traded in late December.

When Ely learned of the trade, he said, "I just started smiling."

"I was at home like a kid getting ready for Christmas," said Ely, 28. "I couldn't go to sleep. I'm excited to play for a great team. Who wouldn't want to play for Tim Duncan?

"They have a goal here. I was with the Clippers for two years and we were losing, then I was with an expansion team. But here, they're used to winning and working hard."

Ely has a nice half-hook he can shoot with either hand, which makes him an effective low-post scorer. But his rebounding has been inconsistent ? perhaps because of his minutes ? and scouts have questioned his defense.

The Spurs made the trade to give them another athletic big man to throw into their current mix. But if Francisco Elson performs consistently and Matt Bonner works his way back into the rotation, there won't be many, if any, minutes available.

Ely isn't a complete stranger to the Spurs. Bruce Bowen used to work out with Ely's Fresno State team in the offseason and Michael Finley knows him from their Chicago ties.

"I just want to help take some pressure off, fit in and hopefully win a ring," Ely said. </div>

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