DENVER -- NBA commissioner David Stern says he is pleased with the direction of the Denver Nuggets despite the team's struggles in recent years, and that the city would be an excellent site for the NBA All-Star Game.

Stern made his comments during an informal news conference prior to the Nuggets' game with the Detroit Pistons Monday night. He was in Denver as part of a five-city tour, which will include stops in Portland, New Orleans, Utah and Seattle.

Stern said he is not concerned about owner Stan Kroenke's low profile because he believes new general manager Kiki Vandeweghe has the franchise headed in the right direction.

Denver has not reached the playoffs since 1995 and has finished no higher than fourth in the Midwest Division for the last 12 seasons.

"I don't think it's about the owner, it's about the face of the franchise," Stern said while sitting in front of a fireplace at a restaurant inside the Pepsi Center.

"I think that in Kiki Vandeweghe, there's a very strong face to this franchise and I think that Stan has chosen well. Obviously, Stan is involved with a lot of decisions -- I think he may have picked the wood on this table -- so you have a very involved owner."

Stern also said the Pepsi Center, which opened for the 1999-2000 season, would be an ideal site for the NBA All-Star Game.

"We have no doubt between hotels, arena and, I don't want to give it away, but I know a community that isn't that far to ski either before or after, this is a very attractive (site)," Stern said. "I assure you that there are strong professional and personal emoluments that favor Denver, ultimately, as an All-Star site."

But, he added, the city may have to wait until after 2005 to become a host city.

"I have a lot of owners that after we went to Washington, Philadelphia, New York and Cleveland said 'David, can't we get some warm weather?' so we're looking at some warm-weather sites," Stern said.

Stern also said he hopes Tim Hardaway's television toss last Friday against Orlando won't be something that becomes a defining moment of the veteran point guard's career.

"Timmy's a good guy and one the classy veterans in our league, but I think it's fair to say, and I think he would probably agree, that it's not a memory for an All-Star career of which he will be proudest," Stern said. "I leave it at that because he's made enduring and ongoing contributions to the NBA and I hope he continues to make them.

"But I don't think we should make that into a regular Olympic or NBA event."