In his State of the Game address on Saturday, NBA
Commissioner David Stern said "it's certain" the Rockets
will relocate "if there's not a new building." In addition,
he added, "The chances for an expansion team returning are
non-existent. And the chances for a relocation in the face
of all the new arenas seems to be highly problematic"
(NBA.com TV, 2/12). Rockets COO George Postolos said that
Stern has "long held the position he described" in his
comments and he "hoped Stern's stronger comments 'would help
clarify the situation.'" Stern, on the possibility of the
Rockets leaving Houston: "I feel OK about it because that
choice was spelled out and dealt with directly by the people
at the Houston Sports Authority and those who oppose the
arena and, ultimately, the voters" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE,
2/13). Las Vegas Mayor, and potential Rockets suitor, Oscar
Goodman called the Rockets "a great franchise" and said that
three NBA teams have contacted him about moving to Las
Vegas. Goodman said he gave all three teams "my word I
would not [identify them]" (AP, 2/11).
HE MEANS BUSINESS: In Houston, Fran Blinebury wrote
that after Stern's comments, there can be "no more claims of
ambiguity or confusion or a lack of understanding on the
part of the Harris County Sports Authority." Blinebury:
"Now nobody in town can say they don't know that the NBA
doesn't mean business" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 2/13).
