the Wolves have been occupying the back burner in talk-show conversation and the inside pages of the sports sections.

The Vikings dominate everything, of course, while the Wolves have been trailing the Wild's early success and the Twins' managerial search -- maybe even the Gophers pucksters' dramatic sweep of Bemidji State -- when it comes to local sports issues of concern.

The public silence surrounding the Wolves stems from the idea this team has hit a dead end after five consecutive first-round playoff eliminations.


The postscripts to last season's 3-1 elimination by San Antonio included this suggestion: The Wolves, the eighth and the last of the Western Conference's playoff qualifiers, were more in danger of falling -- with the improved L.A. Clippers and Houston -- in the West than they were of rising in 2001-2002.

"Whether it's coming from the fans or the news media, if people aren't optimistic about this team, it's up to them," coach Flip Saunders said. "Whatever the feeling right now, it doesn't really make a difference. We're going to be judged by the way we go out and play.