Odds & Ends: Wolves, Rockets, Stern, Thunder

The "Battle of the Boroughs" was all anyone wanted to talk about just a few short weeks ago, but the Nets' recent slide has taken much of the juice out of their renewed rivalry with the Knicks.  Here's a glimpse around the league as the Knicks have padded their lead in the Atlantic Division..

• Team and league sources confirmed to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN that former point guard Will Conroy, who appeared in four games for the Wolves in November, will join the front office as a scout.  The 30-year-old is just putting his playing career on hold for the time being and not retiring.
• Commissioner David Stern spoke with Jason Friedman of Rockets.com about the All-Star Game in Houston this year, as well as other memories of his tenure and interaction with Rockets great Hakeem Olajuwon.
• The Oklahoman's Darnell Mayberry cautions the Thunder about sacrificing too much in a trade for the Cavaliers' Anderson Varejao.  One suggested deal for the forward would likely require Kendrick Perkins, Perry Jones III, and Jeremy Lamb, which would leave OKC with a thinned out bench.  Mayberry is also wary of Varejao's injury history.
• Ryan Ripley of Ridiculous Upside looks at talented D-League veterans who could be impact players for NBA teams this season.