Monta Ellis (Photo : REUTERS)
Indiana Pacers president Larry Bird said he was able to persuade shooting guard Monta Ellis to join the team by saying that he was the missing piece in their championship puzzle.
After signing the four-year $44 million deal, Ellis confirmed that he agreed because Bird said all the right things and the team made him feel great because they wanted him.
He added that he also liked the team because of their winning attitude.
The signing of Ellis is considered the team's biggest off-season acquisition.
The Pacers will pair him with small forward Paul George at the wing.
The Pacers expect the 6-foot-3 Ellis, who scored 19.3 points and dished out 4.8 assists per game in 10 years in the NBA, to help them change the offense.
Ellis is known for playing through injuries, attacking the basket relentlessly, and of not being afraid of taking the last shot.
Ellis' agent, Jeff Fried, noted that Ellis is a guy who can produce points when much-needed deep in the playoffs.
Pacers coach Frank Vogel, who described Ellis as a prolific scorer, said that their new acquisition will perfectly fit with the style the Pacers are going to utilize in the upcoming season.
The Pacers intend to switch to a more fast-paced and versatile style of playing, which was the reason why they got rid of 7'2" center Roy Hibbert.
Bird admitted that while Ellis is not a great defender, the "pluses outweigh the minuses."
It'snot sure whether on not Bird took other matters surrounding Ellis into consideration.
Ellis's moodiness became a distraction for his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, in the second half of last season.
Ellis is also undersized for his position.
Furthermore, while Ellis' game revolves around speed, he is already turning 30 in October.
