Melvin

Ely

Ely suffered an abdominal bruise in a collision with White in a scrimmage Thursday. White sat out Friday with shin splints. Sampson has a sore right ankle -- an effect of offseason surgery. None of the maladies is serious. Ely is expected to start for the Bobcats this season.

''I wouldn’t sit here and lie to you and say it doesn’t hurt going back on the shelf,’' said Ely, who averaged 15.2 points in five games he started in place of Okafor. ''I really think I worked hard and played well. I just hope -- not even hope -- I know that coach will take that into consideration. I enjoyed every minute of it. It was a dream come true. I haven’t had that much fun since college.’' Ely may be about to lose his fantasy value, but we know this: there are a lot of good teams in the NBA envying what the lowly little expansion team has in their frontcourt trio of Okafor, Brezec, and Ely.

Ely is still dealing with a left shoulder injury that kept him out of the opener.

Ely said he thought he’d be ready for the season opener.

Ely is listed as day-to-day.

Ely went on the IL with the flu, but he could stay out until the Clips need frontcourt help.

This bit was mentioned in the Salt Lake papers, so it could be the Jazz are taking a look at frontcourt help with Matt Harpring out for the season.

Ely was seldom used at the end of the Denver bench last season, and now he’ll be the next member of the Denver team from last year to head to the CBA. Ely will J.R. Smith and Wilson Chandler as Nuggets who have signed in China when his deal becomes official.

Ely played well during summer league action and could get a lot of playing time with the Bobcats. He has a little fantasy upside.

Ely was signed just over a week ago but missed time due to dehydration, and that may have cost him a chance to make the final roster. Taylor Griffin and Durrell Summers were also let go, although Summers is expected to head to the NBDL.