Odds & Ends: Calathes, Rockets, U.S. Select Team

The Thunder have an opportunity to make it four wins in a row tonight against the Spurs as the series heads back to Oklahoma City for Game 6.  A victory would send Kevin Durant and company to the NBA Finals and further validate general manager Sam Presti's experiment in which the team has generally been constructed through NBA lottery picks like Russell Westbrook and James Harden. Let's check in around the league to catch up on the latest news and stories making headlines on this Wednesday afternoon…

  • Former Florida star Nick Calathes is ready to give the NBA a shot after spending three seasons playing professionally in Greece, writes Tim McMahon of ESPNDallas.com. Drafted in the second round by the Mavericks in 2009, Calathes will play on Dallas' summer league team with hopes of earning a roster spot for the 2012/2013 season.
  • Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle says the Rockets need to decide what to do with their two first-round draft picks as they are currently slated to select 14th and 16th. The Rockets have many options with the picks as they could use them in a blockbuster trade or package them for a better pick in either this year or next year's draft.
  • Celtics center Greg Stiemsma and Hornets forward Lance Thomas have been added to the U.S. select team that will compete against the U.S. Men's Olympic team in July, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). Magic forward Ryan Anderson has withdrawn from the team leaving the roster at 14 players.
  • Berry Tramel of The Oklahoman says Oklahoma City has come a long way ever since hosting the Hornets in the wake of Hurricane Katrina five years ago.

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