Bobcats big man Melvin Ely left practice with a right calf strain, although it seems likely he'd be able to play against the Pistons. Ely confirmed Monday that he's asked the Bobcats for a trade, since he's played so little this season.

Ely said he requested the trade before a recent home game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Ely said there are no hard feelings between him and team management.

"If I become a jerk, then Bernie becomes a jerk,'' Ely said of retaining a good attitude. "I've been in this league long enough to know if you're a jerk to the coach, you always lose.''