Honestly, is this Wolves team any closer to winning a playoff series than the squad that lost in five to Seattle in 1998? Or got stopped in four by Portland in 2000? Or, frankly, got swept by Dallas in 2002? Each of those clubs had more potential, more roster flexibility and more personnel hope, back before draft picks got zapped, key players bailed out and contracts calcified.

Contrary to Wally Szczerbiak's optimistic view and encouraging comments for the fans, there is more than one way (up) to go: The Wolves, if they're not careful, industrious and lucky, easily could drop in the Western Conference standings. Not just one or two notches, either.