The Flip Side

As Eric Marentette notes in his Blazers blog, there are lots of indications in today's papers that the Blazers may be moving in on Coach Flip Saunders.

Meanwhile in Minnesota, Timberwolves' owner Glen Taylor has been going to some trouble to explain why exactly Saunders isn't the coach there any more (as explained by Brian Hamilton of the St. Paul Pioneer Press):

"Flip was probably a person that got along with his players pretty well - he certainly wasn't real tough," Wolves owner Glen Taylor said last week, referring to ex-coach Flip Saunders. "But probably if we can find someone who handles it a little bit more like McHale handled it - that in practice probably is a little more direct and to the point and calls people out - that would probably be ideal for us.

"I don't mean a real strong disciplinarian, because I think that's too much of a switch. But probably somebody that at least in practices . . . can make sure we make some of the needed changes we make on this team. We're saying we need some changes, so I think we've got to have somebody strong enough that can do that now."

You can read the whole article here (free registration required).

Tough or not, I'm in favor of the hire, because to me competence is paramount. A personal style that meshes with a team's perceived needs is less important. By my estimation, Saunders is demonstrably more competent than all of the other candidates whose names we have heard tossed around (save Phil Jackson, who the Blazers probably don't have a real shot at anway).