The Flip rumors amount to the following:
Eddie had Flip in training camp to teach Zone defense (as a friendly gesture to a good-guy colleague -- like he usually does, keeping a guys name in the tops of people's minds). Same way he called in Lenny Wilkens a few years ago (IIRC) and Pete Carrill.
Ivan Carter being a Minneapolis kid held onto this fact, often reported the possibility of Flip as coach as if it were a strong probability.
Everyone else assumed beat guy Ivan Carter had the inside track on some info. Though followers of the team know Ivan was often the last guy to know any real inside nugget. (Having watched press conference feeds it always seems like Ernie was giving Ivan the bizness about something, gently mocking him).
Echochamber ensues. People hear it reported from this source or that, usually another news outlet. But when has Ernie let anything slip out that might affect his bargaining position? Coaches have agents too. I can't imagine GMEG would allow to slip that any one coach is their primary target, since that would necessarily ratchet up the signing price.
That said. No surprise if Flip was on the list. But I doubt he's the top ticket.
I expect they'd be more likely to try to land Tom Tippytoe, if that works out. Maybe even with an eye towards the retirement of Phil Jackson, flipping Gilbert for Kobe down the line. Eh, maybe not. But still. When you think about it the Wiz are a plum job, especially for a top defensive coach. Offensively these guys (the starters) can keep themselves organized, play with anyone.
Defensively whatever their talents, the teams habits on this end are awful and can easily be improved with slight tweaks. There are some raw materials here for defensive improvement. Plsu we get a high pick.
Personally, I'm still on a crusade. If we land an 'experienced' head coach, I want Rudy Tomjanovich. Best playoff win % of any coach available.
Here. Two time champion. Rested, still in the game working as a scout. Only a few short years removed from his last top job, with only 2 sub-500 years in his career. (Both with absolutely horrible Houston teams).
And he's got the pipeline to HOF advisors at key positions. Knows how to coach both offense and D. Knows how to coach Bigs. Tough, old school, but respected by everybody. If we're going with a veteran, Rudy T is the best available.
