Raymond Felton was on the trading block throughout the 2008-09 season, but he would like to remain with the Charlotte Bobcats.

"It's pretty much over with now," said Felton, about being dangled in trade talks. "The trade deadline was way back in February. It's behind me. It's one of those things that happened. It's a business. I want to be in Charlotte. I'm still here and we have a great situation."

"It's one of those things that I've never thought about," said Felton when asked about starting.  "I feel I'm good enough to be on the court whether I start or don't start. That's something I've never really had to deal with while playing basketball. I dealt with it a little my rookie year with Brevin [Knight], but I ended up playing alongside him and starting with him. I really can't answer that question."

RealGM Note: Felton will be a restricted free agent this summer.

Bobcats point guard Raymond Felton, who will become a restricted free agent at the conclusion of the season, says that he wants to remain with the team that drafted him.

"I want to be here," said Felton. "They know that. We'll see what happens this summer."

Charlotte has started to play better basketball, and while they still have yet to make the postseason, Michael Jordan and Larry Brown appear to have them going in the right direction.

"They've done a good job of bringing in great quality guys," Felton said. "Even the guys who left were great guys. It's tough. Me and J-Rich [Jason Richardson, who was traded to Phoenix] were like brothers. So, to see him go was tough. But we both understand that it's a business. And we're still friends."

The Bobcats are looking to cut costs and will likely host their next training camp at their own practice facility.

Charlotte will also not field a summer league team.

Coach Larry Brown said Friday that the team's weeklong training camp will probably be at Time Warner Cable Arena instead of UNC Wilmington, according to the Associated Press.

Both Sean May and Raymond Felton will be restricted free agents this summer, and Bobcats coach Larry Brown has already said that he'd like them back.

"He lost (nearly) 50 pounds since the summer. Hopefully he'll continue to get his weight down," Brown said Wednesday of May, who has played far less than Felton. "Michael (Jordan, the team's managing partner) likes him, I like him.

"I still don't think he's really ready to play, and he might disagree with that. I really think this is a big summer for him, and summer started yesterday."

Brown then discussed Felton, who Charlotte would have to make a qualifying offer of about $5.5 million this summer to restrict his free-agency.

"He had a phenomenal year. He's done everything we asked," Brown said. "He wants to be around and I'm confident things will work out."

The Charlotte Bobcats' dream of making the post season for the first time in franchise history came to an end on Friday as they lost to the lowly Oklahoma City Thunder.

The loss means that both Chicago and Detroit are penciled in within the Eastern Conference.  With all eight teams now set, the only questions remain are which positions the teams will finish.

The Bobcats, still lingering in the playoff hunt, are upset about ending their season on a four-game road trip.

They are the first NBA team in 12 years to close their season on such a trip.

"That comes from upstairs from the organization, as much as you hate to say it," Gerald Wallace said. "You don't want to send your team at the end of the season on a four-game road trip. That's hard for anybody to do, especially for us since we're so young and we're trying to fight for the playoffs."

Charlotte is 12-25 on the road this season.

The Bobcats have their arena occupied by the Charlotte Jumper Classic, a horse jumping event, this weekend. Owner Bob Johnson's daughter competes in the event.

"It's no secret that our owner's daughter is an equestrian and he has a huge affinity for the jumping business," Bobcats president Fred Whitfield said. "It's just one of the events that he feels strongly about, that he feels should be a part of the whole cultural experience that we offer in this building."

It's obvious that free-agent-to-be Allen Iverson isn't going to return to Detroit, and some are proposing that he could join former coach Larry Brown in Charlotte.

"I don't want to get into that now, what happens to us in the draft or free agency," Brown said.

However, Brown did hint that he doesn't feel as though the Bobcats are the type of team Iverson would be looking for. They are a promising, young team, but are far from a title contender.

"I know at this stage in Allen's career, that has to be paramount on his mind," Brown said.

"Anybody who feels they're close, I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people step up. I know a lot of players have a lot of respect for him, so we'll see."

Joking that he may have shut things down if he was still in Sacramento, Bulls' guard John Salmons is hoping to fight through a groin injury and play against New Jersey on Saturday afternoon as the Bulls fight to hold on to a playoff spot, the Chicago Tribune is reporting.

The Bulls are struggling for healthy bodies, with Salmons, Kirk Hinrich, Tyrus Thomas and Luol Deng all missing practice through injury and rookie Derrick Rose and veteran Tim Thomas also feeling the pain.

"Only real way to heal groins is rest," Salmons said. "We don't have the luxury of that. Hopefully, with these three days, it can get a little better. Good teams overcome injuries."

"A lot of teams have injuries," coach Vinny Del Negro said. "Guys have to step up and play hard. We have to take advantage of playing at home."

After going 12-6 since Feb. 25 and owning the season series against the 8th place Chicago Bulls, the Charlotte Bobcats are still going strong in their bid to reach the postseason for the first time in franchise history, Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald is reporting.

The Bobcats currently sit one and a half games behind Chicago - only one game in the loss column - while Chicago is 1/2 game out of seventh place.

Having swept the Lakers this season and then coming within a Ray Allen three point basket in double overtime away from beating the defending champion Celtics, to say Charlotte is in strong form as the season winds down is an understatement.

The Bulls have the advantage in terms of their schedule, with five of their final six games at home.  They are 10-1 at the United Center since the all-star break.

The Bobcats get five of their last seven games on the road, while Detroit has four of seven away from home.

Charlotte's win, coupled with Chicago's loss on Tuesday night, made the Eastern Conference playoff race even tighter. The Bulls now have just a one-game lead over the Bobcats for the eighth, and final, postseason berth.

- Cleveland 79, Detroit 73

Team FIC Differential: Cavaliers +23.7, Pistons -23.7

The Cavaliers (61-13) won a close game against the Pistons (36-38) on Tuesday night. LeBron James starred with 25 points and 12 rebounds, Anderson Varejao posted 11 points and 7 boards, and Delonte West added 12 points and 6 assists. Detroit outrebounded Cleveland by 10, but shot just 35% from the field at Quicken Loans Arena. Richard Hamilton had 13 points and 6 rebounds, Antonio McDyess tallied 6 points and 10 boards, and Allen Iverson scored 11 points on 5-for-8 shooting off the bench.

Game FIC Scores

LeBron James, Cleveland ? 19.2

Anderson Varejao, Cleveland ? 13.8

Jason Maxiell, Detroit ? 7.8

Antonio McDyess, Detroit ? 6.8

- Indiana 107, Chicago 105

Team FIC Differential: Pacers -3.2, Bulls +3.2

T.J. Ford made a jumper in the final seconds to lift the Pacers (32-43) past the Bulls (36-40) at Conseco Fieldhouse. Danny Granger led with 31 points, Troy Murphy tallied 15 points and 12 rebounds, and Ford contributed 22 points and 9 assists in the win. Indiana shot 50% on the night, and limited Chicago to 3-for-11 from behind the three-point line. Derrick Rose starred with 24 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, Brad Miller posted 14 points and 8 dimes, and Kirk Hinrich turned in 20 points, 7 boards and 7 assists in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Derrick Rose, Chicago ? 22.1

T.J. Ford, Indiana ? 22.0

Kirk Hinrich, Chicago ? 19.3

Danny Granger, Indiana ? 18.0

- Philadelphia 98, Atlanta 85

Team FIC Differential: 76ers +20.3, Hawks -20.3

The 76ers (38-35) used a strong first quarter to build a nice lead, and they held off the Hawks (43-32) at Wachovia Center. Andre Iguodala had 19 points and 8 assists, Andre Miller posted 18 points and 10 dimes, and Willie Green scored 15 points on 7-for-9 shooting in the victory. Atlanta won the rebounding battle by five, but Philadelphia turned the ball over just seven times. Josh Smith led with 33 points and 5 rebounds on 11-for-13 shooting, Joe Johnson tallied 11 points and 7 assists, and Ronald Murray stuffed the stat sheet with 19 points, 6 dimes and 5 boards for the 76ers.

Game FIC Scores

Josh Smith, Atlanta ? 24.0

Andre Miller, Philadelphia ? 17.6

Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia ? 16.8

Flip Murray, Atlanta ? 14.3

- Charlotte 94, L.A. Lakers 84

Team FIC Differential: Bobcats +25.8, Lakers -25.8

The Bobcats (34-40) used a strong second half to defeat the Lakers (58-16) on Tuesday night. Gerald Wallace starred with 21 points and 13 rebounds, Boris Diaw tallied 11 points and 12 assists, and Emeka Okafor poured in 13 points and 9 boards in the win. Charlotte shot 51%, while limiting Los Angeles to just 39% shooting at Time Warner Cable Arena. Kobe Bryant scored 25 points on 11-for-28 shooting, Lamar Odom posted 20 points and 9 rebounds, and Pau Gasol put up 16 points, 11 boards and 7 assists in defeat.

Game FIC Scores

Gerald Wallace, Charlotte ? 26.8

Pau Gasol, Los Angeles ? 21.3

Boris Diaw, Charlotte ? 17.5

Lamar Odom, Los Angeles ? 14.3

- Dallas 108, Minnesota 88

Team FIC Differential: Mavericks +32.9, Timberwolves -32.9

The Mavericks (44-30) built an early lead and never looked back against the Timberwolves (21-54) at the Target Center. Dirk Nowitzki led with 23 points and 12 rebounds, Jason Kidd posted 8 points and 13 assists, and Jason Terry scored 21 points on 9-for-15 shooting off the bench. Dallas hit 55% of their shots, while outrebounded Minnesota by eight. Kevin Love matched Nowitzki with 23 points and 12 rebounds, Rodney Carney tallied 13 and 9 boards, and Mike Miller added 15 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists for the Wolves.

Game FIC Scores

Kevin Love, Minnesota ? 21.8

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas ? 16.4

Jason Kidd, Dallas ? 15.2

Mike Miller, Minnesota ? 15.0

- Oklahoma City 96, San Antonio 95

Team FIC Differential: Thunder +3.8, Spurs -3.8

The Thunder (21-53) held off a furious rally by the Spurs (48-26) in the final minute to record a win on Tuesday night. Kevin Durant starred with 31 points and 8 rebounds, Russell Westbrook tallied 16 points and 10 assists, and Nenad Krstic contributed 16 points and 8 boards. San Antonio won the rebounding battle by four, but Oklahoma City attempted eight more foul shots. Tim Duncan had 21 points and 12 rebounds, Manu Ginobili posted 17 points on 7-for-13 shooting, and Michael Finley chipped in 14 points and 5 boards in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Tim Duncan, San Antonio ? 24.1

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City ? 20.8

Nenad Krstic, Oklahoma City ? 11.0

Michael Finley, San Antonio ? 9.3

- Denver 111, New York 104

Team FIC Differential: Nuggets +15.3, Knicks -15.3

The Knicks (29-46) attempted a comeback, but the Nuggets (49-26) held on for a win at the Pepsi Center. Carmelo Anthony had 31 points, Nene posted 18 points and 10 rebounds, and Linas Kleiza contributed 13 points and 7 boards. Denver hit 54% of their shots, while New York turned the ball over 21 times. Nate Robison scored 30 points off the bench, David Lee tallied 20 points and 12 rebounds, and Al Harrington turned in 23 points and 5 boards in defeat.

Game FIC Scores

Nene, Denver ? 18.4

Nate Robinson, New York ? 17.6

Al Harrington, New York ? 15.4

J.R. Smith, Denver ? 15.3

- Portland 125, Utah 104

Team FIC Differential: Blazers +46.5, Jazz -46.5

The Blazers (47-27) built an early need and never looked back against the Jazz (46-28) on Tuesday night. Brandon Roy led with 25 points and 11 assists, LaMarcus Aldridge tallied 26 points and 5 rebounds, and Travis Outlaw scored 17 points off the bench in the win. Portland shot a blistering 61% from the field and outrebounded Utah by four. Carlos Boozer led with 20 points on 10-for-12 shooting, Deron Williams posted 16 points and 8 assists, and Andrei Kirilenko turned in 12 points and 7 rebounds in the loss.

Game FIC Scores

Brandon Roy, Portland ? 27.9

LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland ? 16.8

Ronnie Brewer, Utah ? 14.6

Andrei Kirilenko, Utah ? 11.8

- New Orleans 111, Sacramento 110

Team FIC Differential: Hornets +16.0, Kings -16.0

Rasual Butler made a three-pointer as time expired to push the Hornets (46-27) past the Kings (16-57) at ARCO Arena. David West starred with 40 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists, Chris Paul tallied 15 points, 15 dimes and 8 boards, and Butler scored 18 points on 7-for-16 shooting. Andres Nocioni had 23 points and 6 rebounds, Kevin Martin posted 20 points, and Spencer Hawes chipped in 17 points, 6 boards and 5 assists for the Kings.

Game FIC Scores

David West, New Orleans ? 29.5

Chris Paul, New Orleans ? 20.0

Spencer Hawes, Sacramento ? 15.8

Andres Nocioni, Sacramento ? 14.8

? RealGM calculates the Floor Impact Counter using the following formula: (Points + .75 Defensive Rebounds + Offensive Rebounds + Steals + Assists + Blocks - .75 Field Goal Attempts - .375 Free Throw Attempts - Turnovers - .5 Personal Fouls)

( )'s indicate a negative FIC score.

It is also used to rank players and to determine their ?Reina Value.?
Click here to view the player rankings with the Reina Value for the current season