"A Man's Got to Know His Limitations"

I've often used the famous line from "Dirty Harry" to describe Flip Saunders. I've also often described Flip as a younger version of Don Nelson--offensive mastermind, regular season wonder, but not NBA championship caliber. The bottom line: he's a very good, but not great coach. We saw that again last night, and actually for the last two years. The pattern continues; impressive regular season performances, but el-foldo in crunch time.

After hearing all of his excuses why he couldn't push the Wolves past the first round more often (lack of talent, poor seeding, etc.), he had two potential job options when the Wolves bounced him: the Bucks and Pistons. If you've convinced yourself talent was the issue, then the choice was simple, wait for the Pistons job to free up, then take it. The problem with that logic is the reality that with great talent comes great responsibility. The bar is much higher, and you're not going to be able to BS your way past a basketball community with a tradition of excellence like the Pistons. It's win or go home, which in this case means win or get fired. That's exactly where Flip is today, with many people in the Detroit community calling for his head. Joe Dumars is not Kevin McHale, and the Pistons aren't the T-Wolves. Based on his past activity, I have to believe Flip is history.

Saunders should have taken the Gophers job, an opportunity where he all he had to do is occasionally make a NCAA tourney, sprinkle in the NIT in rebuilding years, and the job could have been his for as long as he wanted it. Now with Tubby Smith at the helm, if Flip does indeed get released soon, it's broadcasting, a year off, or possibly the Sacramento job. Who knows, if he waits long enough maybe Taylor would finally feel comfortable letting the Iron Ranger go if he knew Flip would come back to be VP/GM.

Dumars has other challenges as well, and it could mean opportunities for the Wolves. The immediate buzz right now out of Detroit is that Billups should be resigned, and that the Pistons should make a play for Zach Randolph. I can't see why he would make a deal for Mini-Sheed. Yeah, he's a Michigan State alumni, but I don't think he plays the Pistons way: tough physical defense combined with clutch offense. With five straight Eastern Conference appearances and only one ring to show for it with this group, I would think it's rebuilding time.

If I were the Iron Ranger, I would see if a combination of our seventh pick and players could possibly motivate a sign and trade for Mr. Big Shot. I think that certainly would fire KG up. The reality is that if Dumars wanted to rebuild, he has much better options than to deal with us, but you never know until you ask...