NOTEBOOK Houston hopes to host All-Star weekend By JONATHAN FEIGEN Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle The Rockets could have decided that David Stern was being smug and patronizing. They could have felt this way because he was being smug and patronizing in taunting former NBA hand and Rockets president George Postolos. They could have tossed aside their All-Star weekend fantasies as more trouble than they are worth. They wanted the All-Star weekend to come to Houston so badly they had become like overactive puppies. Their enthusiasm for the league's premier event would seem to be something the league's commissioner would encourage. Stern instead mocked them with an order to "Back off, just back off." The Rockets, deciding it was just their turn to be demeaned, didn't take it personally and regrouped. Last weekend in Atlanta, Postolos officially presented the league with the Rockets' bid to host the game and the three days of festivities in 2005, 2006 or 2007. He then took in the assorted All-Star weekend events -- though perhaps skipping some of the 4 a.m. to daybreak parties -- and became more convinced than ever the All-Star weekend would be great for Houston, and Houston would be great for the All-Star weekend. "It's one of the NBA's showcase events," Postolos said. "It's only natural we would seek an All-Star weekend for our new arena. I think the league is always happy to have a team interested in hosting All-Star weekend. They appreciate the interest, and they know we're going to have a great new arena in Houston, and we want a turn for the big event. "We made the point to them about how big 2003 and 2004 will be for our city. We're going to open up our new arena. The Astros are going to be hosting the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and Reliant Stadium will have the Super Bowl. We have the three new facilities in Houston, the expanded (George R. Brown) Convention Center, all these great things going on in Houston, and it would be an ideal time to add an NBA All-Star weekend to the mix." Los Angeles will get the 2004 game, and the whole circus is expected to be awarded to Denver for 2005. But 2006 and 2007 are up for grabs. New Orleans, another well-equipped city Stern correctly pointed out would easily win the media vote, is also in the mix. But by then, the new arena, expanded convention center and hotel will be open. "There are many teams requesting consideration to host an All-Star weekend," NBA spokesman Tim Frank said. "Houston, with their new arena, would be an excellent option for the NBA." Houston's Olympic bid might have been forever handicapped by comparisons to Atlanta. But the Atlanta traffic and airport disaster last weekend demonstrates Houston -- despite our assorted transportation issues -- is not Atlanta. The arena, convention center and a towering new hotel are within easy walking distance of one another. There is a Four Seasons hotel downtown for the owners and a Hyatt close enough. By then, some of the downtown streets might even be open again. The convention center was a major part of the bid and as much as a new arena, it could be the trump card the Rockets need. "It definitely strengthens our bid," Postolos said. "The expanded convention center is a huge part of it. It would be a terrific venue to host Jam Session. The proximity between the new arena and the new convention center hotel makes it ideal. This will take advantage of all three buildings. "It's not just the game or the people who come to the game or the All-Star weekend. It draws a very large group of people who come for the event and the festivities. I've heard estimates of $30 and $40 million (of spending) for an All-Star weekend. We'd love to attract that kind of spending for the local economy. "We love the idea of having the NBA's biggest stars here in Houston and in the community even for that short time. It's a great opportunity to have 20 or 30 of the best players in the world and get them into the schools and in the community, as well as have our fans experience Jam Session and the festivities around the weekend." Postolos could go on and on. But then, his comical former boss at the NBA might suggest he back off. Instead, he and the Convention and Visitors Bureau turned in their bid and made sure they got it right. And if Stern will cooperate, they might let him cut in line at the Yao Ming portion of Read To Achieve. BY THE NUMBERS ·7 -- Consecutive road wins on one trip for the Spurs, an NBA record. ·8 -- Consecutive games that Kobe Bryant has scored at least 35 points. ·33 -- The NBA record for consecutive games with at least 35 points, established by Wilt Chamberlain. ·5 -- Number of players who have had 20 points and 20 rebounds against Shaquille O'Neal after Tim Duncan went for 28 points and 20 rebounds Friday. ·1 -- How many assists John Stockton had against the Rockets on Wednesday, his fewest in a game since his rookie year. QUOTABLE ·Nets forward Richard Jefferson, talking about the All-Star status of Suns Shawn Marion and Stephon Marbury: "They're putting up the same numbers as last year, but now they have that beast (Amare Stoudemire) down there. That's why they're All-Stars." ·Stephon Marbury on Jefferson: "Richard Jefferson really needs to keep his mouth closed. ... I don't like that. Don't speak on my game and especially my teammates when you're not really up to par yet. He's got to get his game up to par before he can start talking that." ·Pistons veteran Cliff Robinson on bullying the Baby Bulls: "We play physical, and they don't like it. Tyson (Chandler) got frustrated. I will frustrate him again when they come to Detroit. I will hit him again and again and again and again." ·Miami coach Pat Riley on his wife, Chris, and daughter Elisabeth's reaction to his being fined $70,000 this season: "Chris doesn't like this. She says, `You think it's just another (fine).' Elisabeth and her lost three trips to Saks Fifth Avenue. That's what it's about. I just talked to her on the phone and she said, `Enough's enough.' " ·Bulls guard Jay Williams all but suggesting the Bulls deal Jamal Crawford: "I think the organization believes in me, and I believe in what the Chicago Bulls can do. I don't want to go anywhere else. It's a difficult position with Jamal and I both out there. Somebody's going to be hurt, and that's how it is." RISING AND FALLING RISING ·Shaquille O'Neal -- Veterans will report to camp three days later next year, five the year after. O'Neal was not late to camp this season, he was a trend-setter. ·Mark Cuban's trigger finger -- Mavericks' recent struggles make Cuban itchy to get a deal done. ·Jermaine O'Neal -- Finally, someone kept Michael Jordan from hitting the dramatic game-winner. ·Nuggets -- The only last-place team without a win against the Rockets have two more games against the Rockets to join the Heat, Clippers and Cavaliers. ·Antawn Jamison -- Finally wins comparison with Vince Carter. Traded for Carter on draft day, Jamison led Warriors past the Raptors and leads a better team with a better future. ·Bucks -- Have made a run from the lottery to fifth in the East and are closing on Boston for home court in the first round. Freeze out II -- This time, Isiah Thomas kept Antoine Walker, Paul Pierce and Zydrunas Ilgauskas out of the All-Star Game. FALLING ·Timberwolves -- Just when the Wolves finally seemed ready to win three first-round playoff games, it will take four to advance. ·Michael Olowokandi -- The Clippers seem determined to make him suffer every minute of his sentence. Worse, reacting badly to the Clippers' always sinking ship might have cut his free-agent value from an $80 million deal to maybe $50 million or $60 million. ·Atlanta -- Promises to do better "next time." Next time? The city already screwed up the Olympics, Super Bowl and All-Star Weekend. Atlanta is so bad at big events even the Indianapolis 500 and Kentucky Derby are in trouble. Report this post to a moderator | IP: Logged
