HOUSTON, PART IV: ET TU, ROCKETS?

     In London for the McDonald's Championships, NBA Commissioner
David Stern said he understands the "dilemma" facing the Rockets
and the city, but he stated the Rockets will need a new arena.
Stern:  "The Summit is fine for the short-term.  But within the
next year, there are going to have to be plans for a new arena."
Rockets Owner Les Alexander's Summit lease lasts until 2003.
Stern -- who said "I refuse to launch that war from London" when
asked if Alexander would be within his rights to move to another
city -- said he was confident the issue would be worked out "at
the local level" (Eddie Sefko, HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 10/23).