The Houston Rockets pursuit to become hosts of an All-Star weekend received a jolt this past week when NBA Commissioner David Stern told the Rockets chief operating officer George Postolos to back off.

"George Postolos is all over me to line him up for an All-Star bid. I know he's interested," Stern said. "I told him to back off. But they have expressed their interest. I understand. Now they just have to back off."

With Atlanta set to host the 2003 All-Star game and Denver expected to land the 2005, the 2004 location will be announced within four months, Houston's chances took a hit when Commissioner Stern expressed concern over the timing of the opening of Houston's new arena, expected to be for the 2003-04 season.

"We'd like an arena to be opened before we feel it's ready for a bid," Stern said. "But clearly, it's great to have arenas going on line and to see that interest in having the NBA All-Star Game."

"We're going to put a great bid together. We're going to work together with the city to do that. It is one of the premier events in sports. We will have to work for it to win it. We will open a great new arena, a new convention center hotel, an expanded convention center. We will have had the (Major League Baseball) All-Star Game and Super Bowl. To have so many great things going on creates momentum for our city," said Postolos.